Dr. Joe Frank Smith, an otorhinolaryngologist with ENTcare of Dothan and the past president of the medical staff at Southeast Alabama Medical Center, was recently Board Certified in Medical Management. He has been awarded the status of “Certified Physician Executive” (CPE) for his educational achievements. 

The Certifying Commission in Medical Management (CCMM) recognized Dr. Smith for demonstrating stature as a physician leader and experience in the field of Medical Management. The designation was awarded in October.

The CPE designation, used in signatory, indicates that a physician has achieved superior levels of professional excellence and management education, while also demonstrating effective knowledge and leadership skills. The CCMM currently lists more than 1,000 Certified Physician Executives.

The CCMM is the national certifying body for physicians specializing in medical management. The not-for-profit corporation was chartered by the American College of Physician Executives (ACPE) to establish and maintain the high standards required for physician executive certification. The ACPE is the nation’s largest organization of physicians in healthcare leadership. The American Medical Association recognizes the College as the specialty society representing physicians in management. The College holds a seat in the AMA House of Delegates.

Dr. Smith graduated from Marianna (Fla.) High School in 1977. In 1979, he obtained an associate’s degree from Chipola Junior College in Marianna, and in 1981 he earned a bachelor’s degree in biology from Florida State University. Soon after, he was accepted into the Program in Medical Sciences, which was a partnership between Florida State University and the University of Florida, and was a pre-cursor to FSU’s medical school. In 1985 Dr. Smith earned his Doctorate in Medicine Degree (M.D.) from the University of Florida. He completed a surgical internship at St. Louis University and completed a residency in Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery at the University of Florida Department of Otolaryngology in 1991.

Currently, Dr. Smith is a Fellow of the American Board of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and a Fellow of the American Rhinologic Society.

He has served in various leadership roles including: President of the Medical Staff at Southeast Alabama Medical Center in Dothan, Ala.; President of the Alabama Society of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery; and President of the Houston County Medical Society. He also served as Chief of Surgery at Southeast Alabama Medical Center and as a Clinical Professor of Otolaryngology at the University of Florida College of Medicine. He is currently serving as President of the Dothan Country Club.

Dr. Smith is currently employed by ENT Care, a practice he helped found in Dothan, where he has practiced medicine for the last 20 years.

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