Health System Executive Named 'Outstanding Alumnus'

Kirby O. Smith, executive vice president and chief operating officer for Susquehanna Health System, has been honored with the Outstanding Alumnus Award for 2000 at Pennsylvania College of Technology.

The award was presented Saturday, May 13, at the College's morning commencement ceremonies in the Community Arts Center in Williamsport.

A 1969 graduate of Williamsport Area High School, Smith earned an associate's degree in liberal arts from Penn College's predecessor, Williamsport Area Community College. He then earned a bachelor of science degree in business administration and accounting from Bloomsburg University in 1973 and a master's degree in health care administration from the University of South Carolina in 1983. His 27-year career has been dedicated to health-care financial management and executive-level health administration.

Smith also serves as president of Divine Providence and Muncy Valley hospitals; Susquehanna Physician Services, a multi-specialty group practice employing more than 90 physicians; and Susquehanna Home Care, Inc., a home-infusion, retail pharmacy and private-duty nursing service.

He participated in the creation of Susquehanna Health System and was the principal negotiator for Divine Providence Hospital when it purchased Muncy Valley Hospital in 1990.

Smith serves as vice president of the West Branch Manufacturer's Association's Board of Directors and is a member of the Williamsport-Lycoming Chamber of Commerce's board. He serves as vice chairman of the Tobacco Settlement Committee of the Hospital and Healthcare Association of Pennsylvania and is a member of its Committee on Public Payer Policy. He graduated from the charter class of Leadership Lycoming in 1988.

Smith has served on various regional advisory bank boards and served nationally from 1995-98 on the Healthcare Financial Management Association Principles and Practice Review Board. He also has served as president of the Loyalsock Little League and the Loyalsock Youth Commission.

Smith, a Williamsport native, is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Kermit O. Smith. He and his wife, Sheri G., have been married 25 years. Their daughter Meghan works for PricewaterhouseCoopers in Philadelphia; their son Andrew is a freshman at Villanova University.

Nominations for the annual Outstanding Alumnus Award are accepted for graduates of Penn College or its predecessors (Williamsport Area Community College and Williamsport Technical Institute) who have made significant contributions in their chosen field or have benefited their community, state or nation.