Debra A. Smith DO, MIHM, MBA, FACPM, FAOCOPM, FAIHQ has worked as a health financing consultant for the World Bank and a public health consultant for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in the former Soviet republics of Georgia and South Ossetia respectively. She served as the Corporate Medical Director for Highmark Life & Casualty, a national employer stop-loss, disability, life, Medicare supplemental and a regional workers’ compensation carrier. She was also the Regional Medical Director for Disability & Workers’ Compensation for Delphi Automotive, a former General Motors subsidiary. Over the last two years, Dr. Smith worked as the Chief Medical Officer for International Medical Group, where she reengineered the medical evacuation process for her company’s global health and travel customers, getting them to First World care in the most expedient manner possible.
Dr. Smith was the first to propose the formation of the Osteopathic International Alliance (OIA) in speeches she made at the 1999 and 2000 American Osteopathic Association’s National conventions [see Journal of the American Osteopathic Association reprints]; from 2003 to 2007, she served on the founding Board of Directors. The OIA represents national professional organizations from 14 countries & 24 universities. On multiple occasions she has served as a Delegate for the American Osteopathic Association [AOA] and the Global Health Council to the World Health Organization’s Annual Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland. The past nine years, Dr. Smith has served on the AOA’s Bureau of International Osteopathic Medical Education & Affairs, representing the profession before various agencies of the United Nations and other international organizations.
Dr. Smith received her Doctorate in Osteopathic Medicine from the Nova Southeastern University, College of Osteopathic Medicine in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. She has a Masters in Business Administration and a Masters of International Health Management from Thunderbird School of Global Management, and a Bachelor degree in International Economics from Youngstown State University. She served her residency in Public Health & General Preventive Medicine at the Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta GA. She has trained at the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention and completed the summer program in Tropical Medicine and Public Health at the Johns Hopkins University, School of Hygiene and Public Health.
Dr. Smith is board-certified in Public Health & General Preventive Medicine, as well as Occupational Medicine. She is also certified by the American Board of Quality Assurance & Utilization Review Physicians. Dr. Smith is a fellow of the American Osteopathic College of Occupational & Preventive Medicine, the American College of Preventive Medicine and the American Institute for Healthcare Quality. She is the immediate past-president of the American Osteopathic College of Occupational & Preventive Medicine and the owner of Osteopathic Medical Marketing (OMM) International.
