Harry L. Smith, Jr. will join Novant Health as President, Presbyterian Healthcare and Greater Charlotte Market on November 12, 2012.  He was selected following an extensive nationwide search to fill this role and will relocate from Indiana with more than 25 years’ experience in health care.

Most recently, Smith served as President and CEO of Deaconess Hospital—part of Deaconess Health System headquartered in Evansville, Ind. Over the six years he served in this role, he was responsible for three acute care hospitals totaling 541 beds with an average daily census of 370 and $646.7 million net operating revenue.

Smith has a strong track record of establishing positive working relationships with physicians in community hospital and academic settings. He is an evidence/fact-based decision maker and places a high priority on being a visible, collaborative leader. These strengths made him the right choice for Novant Health.

Smith has also served as the President and Senior Administrative Officer at Sisters of Charity Hospital in Buffalo, NY; and Executive Vice-President and Chief Operating Officer at Northtowns Hospitals in Buffalo, Kenmore, and Cheektowaga, NY. He has also held leadership positions at Geisinger Health System in Pennsylvania and Barnes Healthcare System in Missouri.

Smith has a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a Master of Hospital and Healthcare Administration from the University of Minnesota.