Jason Smith, MD, PhD, knows how to think quickly on his feet and mobilize others into action. After all, as a busy trauma surgeon and Chief of the Division of General Surgery, he does it daily. So it comes as no surprise that Dr. Smith, who also serves as UofL Health’s Chief Medical Officer, has been leading UofL Health’s COVID-19 pandemic response.

"Dr. Smith has dedicated countless hours to adeptly leading our COVID-19 response," says Kelly McMasters, MD, PhD, Chair, Department of Surgery. "He has led from the front lines as a trauma surgeon during the pandemic, all the while going above and beyond the call of duty to keep us all safe."

Here is a sampling of all Dr. Smith has done since the pandemic began:

• Under Dr. Smith’s leadership, UofL Health adopted early mandatory universal masking policy that has helped keep our employees safe.
• He utilized both his medical expertise and talent as a communicator to lead information sharing in our system. It was his voice that became the voice of reason and truth for hundreds across out system as he led COVID update conference calls. At the height of changing protocols these were done three times a week with more than 200 people participants. They still continue weekly.
• He coordinated efforts between UofL Health, Baptist and Norton hospitals so that all our community hospital systems were able to be uniform in most COVID-19 practices and protocols.
• He led the process to implement early drive-thru testing sites, leading to UofL Health opening the first drive-thru site in the state.
• He coordinated with area long-term care facilities to help with their testing needs.
• He advocated for early adoption of technology and lab equipment to expand our testing.
• As the flu season neared, he helped establish the FREE flu vaccination process in underserved parts of the county. UofL Health is now making 10,000 FREE flu vaccines available.
• He has worked to continually improve quality and safety by integrating all of our new facilities. He has ensured they had the required resources to move the needle on key safety initiatives despite being in the middle of a pandemic. Quality numbers are rising.
• He has made more than 150 media appearances during the pandemic. Indeed, he has become a nationally respected medical expert and media presence.
• He is leading the Covid-19 vaccination effort across UofL Health.

"Dr. Smith has instilled a sense of confidence and competence that has been reassuring to all at UofL, as well as the public," Dr. McMasters says. "He has stepped up in a time of crisis and selflessly devoted untold hours to make sure we have been as prepared as possible to meet this global pandemic."