From Army Officer to Associate Director: Dr. Martha Smith’s Journey to Lead the Veterans Health Care System

Dr. Martha Smith has recently been appointed as Associate Director at the Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System. Prior to this, she held the position of Associate Medical Center Director at the Overton Brooks VA Medical Center in Shreveport, Louisiana. With her background as a registered dietitian, Dr. Smith first joined the Veterans Health Administration in 2015 as Chief of Nutrition and Food Services at the VG Bill Hefner VA Medical Center in North Carolina.

Dr. Smith’s military experience includes seven years of service as an officer in the United States Army and two years in the Army Reserve. Her assignments included roles in Seoul, South Korea and training and research at Joint Base Lewis McChord near Tacoma, Washington. In addition to her military experience, Dr. Smith has over 33 years of experience in allied health care and direct practice. She holds a Doctorate in Educational Leadership (EdD) from Eastern Michigan University, a Master of Science in Hotel and Restaurant Management from the same institution, and a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition from Michigan State University.

Dr. Smith is a respected speaker and has been published multiple peer-reviewed publications on healthcare management topics such as nutrition counseling for veterans with chronic illnesses, leadership development for healthcare professionals, among others. She is also a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE). Outside of work, Dr. Smith enjoys traveling, swimming, playing French horn music and spending time with his family which includes seven grown children and five grandchildren .