Transforming healthcare takes leaders who understand both the bedside and the boardroom. Jason Smith, chief medical officer and interim chief executive officer for UofL Health and chief of the Division of General Surgery at the UofL School of Medicine, has been chosen for the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) Council of Deans Fellowship, an opportunity that will amplify his impact on patients, learners and communities alike. This national honor recognizes rising leaders in academic medicine and equips them with the mentorship, training and networks to prepare them for future deanships.  

The year-long fellowship is designed to be both immersive and practical. Smith will collaborate with the cohort of fellows to explorestrategies for addressing today’s most urgent healthcare challenges. His fellowship project will focus on aligning UofL Health and the School of Medicine’s shared priorities: expandingequitable access to care while improving outcomes for the patients and communities we serve.  

“As a trauma surgeon, I have seen firsthand the impact of limited access to care, from rural patients facing hours-long transport to families in underserved neighborhoods struggling with follow-up and rehabilitation,” shared Smith. “These experiences have shaped my conviction that academic medicine must not only save lives in the moment, but also build innovative systems that provide timely, equitable and high quality care throughout the continuum of recovery. Through the Council of Deans Fellowship, I will gain insight from leaders who have successfully implemented systemic change and apply those lessons here at UofL.” 

The project-based nature of the fellowship means that Smith will be working with actual School of Medicinepriorities throughout the program, translatinginformation into measurable outcomes like expanding access to care, growing leadership pipelines and advancing equity in patient outcomes. This is a huge first step in Smith’s goal of aligning the clinical, academic and community missions of UofL Health and the School of Medicine.  

Smith’s acceptance into the Council of Deans Fellowship echoes the School of Medicine’s admiration for his leadership. His dedication to lifelong learning and leadership allows him to provide secure, evidence-based treatment at the bedside for every single patient while also addressing issues such as health inequities, workforce development and swift innovation.  

Jeffrey Bumpous, dean of the School of Medicine, praised Smith’s selection, noting his steady leadership during pivotal moments. “Having a leader such as Dr. Smith walking our hallways is not just impactful for our school and our partner institution, UofL Health, it is meaningfulfor every single patient and every single community we serve,” Bumpous said. “For years, he has guided us through challenges including the COVID-19 pandemic and other community crises. We know that under his leadership, our friends, families and neighbors will have access to equitable, high-quality care for generations to come.” 

Smith intends to leverage the fellowship to accelerate progress in reducing healthcare inequalities, improving access and fortifying community partnerships. By bringing home innovative models from across the country, he aims to ensure that every patient, regardless of where they live, has a fair chance at survival, recovery and long-term health. 

Join us in congratulating Dr. Jason Smith for his continued excellence in service leadership and his recent acceptanceto the 2025-2026 Council of Deans Fellowship. His leadership is not just inspiring; it is transformative, and reflects our values of excellence, service and innovation at the School of Medicine.