PROVEN LEADERSHIP
Dr. Beth Smolko is the immediate past president of the American Academy of PAs (AAPA), which represents over 150,000 PAs across the United States who practice in all medical and surgical specialties and health care settings.
A national leader in telehealth & access to care
Dr. Smolko is a nationally recognized speaker and author on COVID-19, professional issues, telemedicine legislative barriers and access to healthcare issues. She is the Associate Corporate Medical Director of JPMorgan Chase. In her role, she provides oversight and service enhancements for the JPMC Health and Wellness Centers in the U.S. She provides direction and strategic planning to the health benefits team on innovation / product design and Global Benefit initiatives, Wellness Center operations and processes, and clinical services. Previously, she was Lead Clinical Advisor and Telemedicine Lead for Wellness Center Operations for Lockheed Martin, the largest defense contractor in the world. She authored Lockheed’s telemedicine white paper used by the corporation to address access-to-care for employees and detailed the financial benefits to the corporation when employees have access to the right care, at the right time, in the right setting.
PROFESSIONAL LEADER
Dr. Smolko is the AAPA Immediate Past President. AAPA advocates and educates on behalf of the PA profession and the patients PAs serve in order to improve the quality, accessibility and cost-effectiveness of patient-centered healthcare. AAPA’s vision is to transform health through patient-centered, team-based medical practice. She has served on AAPA’s Board of Directors since 2016, following several years of service and leadership in AAPA’s House of Delegates, and board leadership in the Association of Family Practice PAs.
PIONEERING EDUCATOR
Dr. Smolko was the founding Program Director and Department Chair for Frostburg State University’s PA Medicine Program found in rural western Maryland. The program was created to increase access to healthcare in Appalachia and medically underserved areas across the country. During her time at Frostburg, she worked to create a state-wide telemedicine curriculum for PA programs across Maryland.
EXPERIENCED PA
Smolko earned a BA in Biology from St. Mary’s College of Maryland, a Master of Medical Science in PA Studies from Midwestern University in Glendale, AZ and a Doctor of Medical Science degree from Lynchburg College. She has also earned Six Sigma Greenbelt certification and is a nationally certified health coach (NSHC).
Dr. Smolko’s passion for accessible, effective and compassionate patient care led her to found a nonprofit called The Heart of Medicine, dedicated to delivering primary care to poor and underserved communities. As president, she coordinates volunteer medical trips for healthcare professionals, including leading teams of volunteers to deliver healthcare to hundreds of patients in mobile clinics and non-traditional healthcare settings in Haiti.