The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is proud to announce the appointment of Dr. Martha Smith as the new Medical Center Director of the Veterans Health Care System of the Ozarks (VHSO). She will oversee healthcare for more than 60,000 Veterans and manage an $840 million operating budget in order to serve Veterans living in 22 counties in northwest Arkansas, southwest Missouri, and eastern Oklahoma.

‘We are excited to bring Dr. Smith on board,’ said Fernando Rivera, Interim Director for Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) 16. ‘Her sound leadership and proven experience will be valuable assets for our staff, volunteers, and, most importantly, for the Veterans we are honored to serve. We expect her to begin her new appointment within the next 45 to 60 days. She has served as the Interim Executive Director at Veterans Health Care System of the Ozarks since June 2025.”

Smith brings more than a decade of progressive leadership experience within the VA. Her career includes positions at multiple VA medical centers. Most recently, she served as the Deputy Director of the Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System, New Orleans, LA, which includes nine locations in Louisiana.

She holds a Doctorate of Educational Leadership and a Master of Science in Hotel and Restaurant Management from Eastern Michigan University. She also holds a Bachelor of Science in Dietetics from Michigan State University.

VHSO provides health care services at eight locations in northwest Arkansas, southwest Missouri and eastern Oklahoma. Facilities include the Fayetteville VA Medical Center and communitybased outpatient clinics in Fort Smith, Harrison, and Ozark, Ark.; Branson, Springfield, and Joplin, Mo.; and Jay, Okla.