ARUP’s Vice President of Research and Development, Kristi Smock, MD, Selected for Prestigious Fellowship

Kristi Smock, MD, ARUP Laboratories vice president and chief medical director of the ARUP Institute for Clinical and Experimental Pathology^® (Research and Development), has been chosen for the Hedwig van Ameringen Executive Leadership in Academic Medicine (ELAM) program at Drexel University College of Medicine. Smock, who is also a medical director of the Hemostasis/Thrombosis Laboratory and a clinical professor at the University of Utah Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine, is the third ARUP medical director to participate in this esteemed program, which is now in its 31st year. She joins two U colleagues and 150 other physicians selected nationwide for the 2025–2026 fellowship.

ELAM cultivates female leaders destined for C-suite positions in hospitals and healthcare systems. The program equips fellows with professional and personal skills needed to navigate and lead in today’s complex healthcare environment.

Smock said she’s excited about the opportunity to hone her leadership skills through the coursework, which has already begun.

“One of the simulations centers around change management, including the plans needed to make the changes and the communication surrounding them. We’re methodically working through the decision-making process and learning it can be regimented and logical,” Smock said.

She added she’s already making connections with leaders at institutions across the country who will offer perspectives outside ARUP and likely benefit her for decades to come. ELAM alumni said their small groups became their confidential support systems, Smock said.

“The leaders and mentors shared that if one of their group had a problem, a serious life event, or wanted to share something great, they would all jump on a call right away. Everybody wants close relationships like that,” Smock said.

Each fellow must provide evidence of their body of work through a curriculum vitae (CV) and personal statements and essays, including in-depth descriptions of clinical experience, research, current and past leadership roles, and leadership training. Additionally, they must be nominated and supported by the dean or another senior official of their institution to be selected for the program. Smock was nominated by Peter Jensen, MD, chair of the U Department of Pathology and chairman of the ARUP Board of Directors, and Samuel R.G. Finlayson, MD, MPH, MBA, dean of the University of Utah Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine.

Smock will conduct an Institutional Action Project (IAP) as part of the program’s requirements. The IAP integrates the curriculum and peer support in a tangible leadership contribution to the fellow’s institution. Although Smock hasn’t decided on which project she’ll pursue, she has some ideas that she believes will have a lasting and far-reaching impact.

“This fellowship is going to give me in-depth experience and knowledge of academic medical institutions, and I’m excited to share what I learn,” Smock said.

Smock is an accomplished leader at the U and at ARUP, said Andy Theurer, CEO. “It is no surprise to me that she has been chosen for this honor as she consistently and quietly accomplishes more than many realize. She is one of the brightest, upcoming stars we have at ARUP, and I’m certain she will excel in this program.”

The effectiveness of ELAM’s approach to leadership preparation is broadly recognized within the academic health community. ELAM alumnae number more than 1,600 and serve in leadership positions at 300 academic health centers around the world. ARUP, a nonprofit enterprise of the University of Utah Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine and its Department of Pathology, is proud to have Smock as its representative in this prestigious program.

Learn more about U of U Health ELAM fellows here.

Bonnie Stray, bonnie.stray@aruplab.com