Kootenai Health names new CEO

COEUR d’ALENE — Jamie Smith is the new CEO of Kootenai Health.

Kootenai Health made the announcement Tuesday. 

The hire comes after a six-month national search to replace longtime CEO Jon Ness, who announced last July that he would retire in early 2024.

Smith is scheduled to start at Kootenai Health on March 11. 

“The board could not be more pleased with the caliber of candidates who expressed interest in the position,” Katie Brodie, chair of the Kootenai Health board of trustees, said in a news release. “Jamie not only brings exceptional health care leadership to the position, but he also has the right mindset to be a great fit for Kootenai Health and our community.”

For the last eight years, Smith served as president of Saint Joseph Hospital in Denver, a 400-bed, faith-based teaching hospital and speciality referring center. Saint Joseph is part of Intermountain Health, a nonprofit health system serving the Mountain West. In that role, Smith was also CEO of Saint Joseph’s Joint Operating Agreement with National Jewish Health,

Kootenai Health described Smith as a mission-driven, seasoned health care executive with more than 25 years of experience.

“Throughout his career he has been committed to improving patient experience and clinical quality, valuing and empowering caregivers and serving the community,” the hospital said in a news release.

Smith started his career as an active duty Medical Service Corps officer in the U.S. Army. He served two years at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C., and two years in the 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas, where he rose to the rank of captain.

Smith earned a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Texas at Austin and a bachelor’s degree in economics from Trinity University in San Antonio. He is a fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives.

Under Smith’s leadership, Saint Joseph saw achievements including two-time ANCC Magnet designation for nursing excellence, CMS 5 Star Quality Rating, patient satisfaction at or above the 90th percentile four years in a row and the major expansion of outpatient services.

“Kootenai Health is very unique and it is well positioned for its next phase of growth,” Smith said in a news release. “I’m excited to be joining such a strong organization with an outstanding board and a talented team. Jon Ness brought a vision to enhance and expand health care in northern Idaho so Idahoans could receive the care they need closer to home. I intend to continue to enhance this strategy and build on all the great work that has been done here. We must transform the health care experience for our local community and become a premier medical destination for the broader region.”

Smith said he and his family love the outdoors and look forward to living in North Idaho. His wife, Anne Smith, is a registered nurse. The couple have three school-aged children.

“We like being involved members of our community and we are excited to see how we can connect and begin giving back,” he said.