SALT LAKE CITY — Dr. Kristi Smock, vice president and chief medical director of the ARUP Institute for Clinical and Experimental Pathology® at ARUP Laboratories, has been chosen to participate in the Hedwig van Ameringen Executive Leadership in Academic Medicine (ELAM) program at Drexel University College of Medicine for the 2025–2026 academic year.
This year marks the 31st anniversary of the program, which is designed to cultivate female leaders prepared for C-suite positions within hospitals and healthcare systems.
Dr. Smock is not only a medical director of the Hemostasis/Thrombosis Laboratory but also serves as a clinical professor at the University of Utah Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine.
As the third ARUP medical director to join this esteemed initiative, she will work alongside 150 other esteemed physicians selected from across the country.
ELAM provides a comprehensive curriculum aimed at equipping women with the skills necessary to successfully navigate the complexities of modern healthcare leadership.
Expressing her enthusiasm for the program, Dr. Smock shared her excitement regarding the opportunity to enhance her leadership skills through its coursework, which has already commenced.
“One of the simulations focuses on change management, detailing the plans needed to implement changes and the surrounding communication,” Dr. Smock explained.
She emphasized the structured nature of decision-making processes that the program explores, highlighting its regimented and logical approach.
Dr. Smock is already forging connections with leaders from various institutions nationwide, providing her with valuable perspectives that could benefit her career for years to come.
“The alumni from ELAM have mentioned how their small groups serve as confidential support systems. If one of their group encounters a serious issue or is eager to share an accomplishment, the rest would be ready to join a call immediately. Everyone yearns for those close-knit relationships,” she noted.
Candidates for ELAM must demonstrate their achievements through a detailed curriculum vitae (CV) and comprehensive personal statements that illuminate their clinical experience, research, leadership roles, and leadership training.
Furthermore, each participant must receive a nomination and backing from a senior official or dean within their institution.
Dr. Smock was nominated by Dr. Peter Jensen, chair of the U Department of Pathology and chairman of the ARUP Board of Directors, along with Dr. Samuel R.G. Finlayson, dean of the University of Utah Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine.
A significant aspect of the program is the Institutional Action Project (IAP), which requires each fellow to contribute a tangible leadership project to their home institution.
While Dr. Smock has not yet finalized her project, she is considering various options that she believes could have a long-lasting impact.
“This fellowship will provide me with profound insights and understanding of academic medical institutions, and I’m eager to share the knowledge I gain,” she remarked.
Andy Theurer, CEO of ARUP, praised Dr. Smock’s accomplishments, stating, “It is no surprise to me that she has been chosen for this honor as she consistently and quietly achieves more than many realize. She is among the brightest rising stars at ARUP, and I am confident she will excel in this program.”
ELAM’s effectiveness in leadership preparation is widely acknowledged within the academic health community, with more than 1,600 alumnae now serving in leadership roles at 300 academic health centers globally.
ARUP, a nonprofit entity of the University of Utah Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine and its Department of Pathology, takes pride in having Dr. Smock represent the organization in this distinguished program.
For more information about U of U Health ELAM fellows, visit the relevant website.
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