Congratulations to Pam Smith!

Alisa Butler-Druzba,(l) and Pam Smith,(r)

Pamela Smith, Assistant Director for the Massachusetts State Office of Rural Health, recently became one of the first graduates of the National Organization of State Office of Rural Health’s (NOSORH) Leadership Institute. She was recognized during the NOSORH 2009 Annual Meeting in November. NOSORH launched its Leadership Institute earlier this year in an effort to enhance the leadership and management skills of emerging and established employees of State Offices of Rural Health. In order to graduate from the Leadership program, class members are expected to participate in seven Webinars, attend a capstone workshop held in conjunction with the NOSORH Annual Meeting, and complete a rural health project utilizing the leadership skills they developed throughout the Institute. Each participant benefits from the mentoring received from established national rural health leaders throughout the program. Pam’s mentor was Alisa Butler-Druzba, NH DHHS, Bureau of Rural Health and Primary Care.

Pam has been with the Massachusetts State Office of Rural Health since 2004 and with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health since 1991. Prior to her current appointment, she spent 12 years working as the regional coordinator for the Healthy Start and Children’s Medical Security programs. She has also worked with OB/GYNS and Pediatric providers, community organizations and coalitions throughout the rural areas of western Massachusetts on various maternal and child health issues.

In addition to her professional duties, Pam is an active RoundTable member; most recently she helped plan the program for the Annual Symposium.