100 Most Influential People in Healthcare – 2018

Although Community Health Systems this year has had more downs (admissions and revenue) than ups (successful divestitures that are part of a 30-hospital sale), a turnaround plan that's focused on core markets and debt reshuffling has kept Smith at the hospital giant's helm. Smith this year has also lobbied for the hospital industry as chair of the Federation of American Hospitals. In that role, Smith has pushed for funding the Children's Health Insurance Program, extending Medicare rural hospital payments and maintaining protections for investor-owned hospitals. Smith's stewardship has allowed the FAH to meet major strategic objectives for supporting care and interoperability.