Des Moines University Clinic has welcomed Angela Smith, MBA, as its new chief clinical administrative officer, marking a significant transition for the university’s health care operations. Smith brings decades of experience in clinical practice and senior operational leadership. She steps into the role with a clear mission: to foster a high-performing, patient-centered environment that bridges the gap between expert medical care and the training of future health professionals.
“I’m honored to be joining DMU, and I look forward to learning from the staff, serving patients and contributing to the compassionate care the clinic provides to the community,” Smith says. “There’s a strong foundation already in place at the clinic, and I intend to continue to support that in ways that make patients, learners and the community feel welcomed and proud.”
Smith comes to the DMU Clinic from Cheyenne, Wyoming, where she served as the chief operating officer for three federally qualified health centers aligned with a university’s graduate medical education program. Her background in complex, education-aligned health care environments makes her uniquely suited for the clinic’s dual role as a community provider and a teaching facility.
Smith began her career as a diagnostic sonographer. She believes this early experience as a provider gives her a vital “caregiver’s perspective” that informs her administrative decisions. She cites the importance of staff morale, noting that when caregivers feel “connected” and appreciated, they bring that positive energy to their patients, ultimately improving care.
“Strong operations should enable great care, it should not get in the way of it,” Smith says. “It’s very important to me to empower everyone, ‘You know what to do, what’s right for our patients and for our community.’”
Her approach is hands-on — she plans to spend significant time “walking the floors” and rounding with teams to collect both formal and informal feedback. For Smith, the goal is not just to collect data but to “close the loop” so that staff and patients see their voices translate into action.
“Angela’s focus on mentorship, community outreach and health equity will serve the clinic well,” says Angela L. Walker Franklin, PhD, president and CEO of Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences. “Her commitment to patient-centered care, along with the growth and development of the clinic team, bolsters our ability to train the next generation of health care leaders while serving the immediate needs of the Des Moines community. We are delighted she’s here.”