Kate W. Smith, MD, MPH, who has been with the Academy/DPHA since 2016, stepped into the role of Executive Director on January 1st, 2024. Dr. Smith started her career with the Academy/DPHA as the coordinator for the State’s Immunization Coalition of Delaware program. Since then she has overseen the Delaware Medical Orders for Scope of Treatment initiative, student internship program, and Delaware Mini Medical School.
Dr. Smith will follow Mr. Tim Gibbs, MPH who is taking on a new role as Director and Principal Investigator for the Delaware Health Force program – and public/private partnership between the State of Delaware and the Academy/DPHA focusing on healthcare workforce research and development. Mr. Gibbs has been executive director of the Academy/DPHA for 16 years, and during that time the organization has experienced significant growth and expansion into the field of public health.
Dr. Smith stated, “I’m excited to step into such well-respected shoes, and will work to grow and expand the Academy/DPHA and our programs. Delaware is a small state, and I look forward to working together with all of the public health and healthcare institutions to improve the health of all Delawareans.”
Gibbs said, “I look forward to Dr. Smith’s leadership and fresh vision for the Academy/DPHA, and to focusing my attention on our health care and public health workforce which was operating under extreme pressure even before the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Dr. Smith will become Delaware’s designated representative to the American Public Health Association’s Governing Council.