Where Are They Now: Heather A. Smith, MD, MPH

In honor of our 75th anniversary, the AMA Foundation is revisiting the stories of leaders who have helped shape our history and the future of medicine. Among them is Heather A. Smith, MD, MPH, recipient of the 2005 AMA Foundation Leadership Award. At the time, the recognition served as both validation and motivation, affirming her commitment to service, advocacy, and leadership. Dr. Smith reflects, “It wasn’t just an award on a shelf; it became a kind of compass, reminding me that leadership isn’t about titles, it’s about the impact you can have for patients, colleagues, and communities.”

Heather A. Smith, MD, MPH

A Foundation for Leadership

Receiving the leadership award early in her career strengthened Dr. Smith’s resolve to take on greater responsibilities in organized medicine and to champion equity within the profession. She credits the experience with shaping her journey and deepening her sense of purpose.

Her path with the AMA Foundation has woven itself into each chapter of her career, starting as a Physicians of Tomorrow scholar and later becoming a grant recipient, mentor, and president of the AMA Foundation Board of Directors from 2021 to 2022. “Being able to serve as a mentor for the Leadership Development Institute and watch future leaders come into their own has been a true full circle moment,” she shared.

Building a Lasting Legacy

During her tenure as president, Dr. Smith worked alongside dedicated colleagues to strengthen the AMA Foundation’s programs, enhance sustainability, and expand its reach. Among her proudest accomplishments was helping to establish two named honor funds:

• The Council on Legislation Fund, supporting physician advocacy efforts

• The Courage in Women’s Health Advocacy Fund, advancing care and awareness for women’s health

“These funds represent enduring commitments to advocacy and women’s health, two areas of medicine very close to my heart,” she said. “Knowing those funds will continue to support physicians and communities long after me is something I treasure.”

Advancing Care and Training the Next Generation

Today, Dr. Smith serves in dual roles at Women & Infants Hospital in Providence, Rhode Island, where she bridges clinical excellence, systems improvement, and education. As the OB-GYN director of quality, she provides strategic and operational oversight for hospital-wide quality initiatives, reporting directly to the chief medical officer. Her leadership has contributed to measurable outcomes, including a 13.6% reduction in postpartum readmissions and focused efforts to narrow disparities in severe maternal outcomes.

She also serves as an assistant professor, caring for patients across labor and delivery, the postpartum unit and the OB-GYN emergency department, while mentoring fellows, residents and medical students. In this role, she leads a multidisciplinary clinical team and equips emerging physicians with the skills and perspective needed to advance maternal health.

Championing Connection

Reflecting on her time as president, Dr. Smith describes the AMA Foundation as “a connector, bringing together donors, health care professionals, and community organizations around the shared goal of improving health equity.” Under her leadership, the AMA Foundation continued to evolve from a grant-making institution into a catalyst for lasting change, emphasizing programs that empower physicians to meet patients where they are and address barriers to care.

“Philanthropy in medicine is not simply about financial support,” she explained. “It is about cultivating leaders and addressing systemic challenges to improve the health of all.”

Continuing the Mission

Dr. Smith remains a passionate advocate for advancing equity, physician leadership, and community well-being. She has witnessed the AMA Foundation grow from primarily a scholarship source into a driving force for change in medicine and public health, one that inspires physicians, students, and communities to act boldly and lead with compassion.

“For me,” she reflects, “it’s been inspiring to watch, and even more meaningful to play a part in that evolution.”