University of Houston President Renu Khator has named Dean Earl L. Smith III to a
two-year term as Interim Chief Health Officer. Smith will lead the University of Houston’s
efforts to develop a strategic plan and launch the new UH Health Science Center.
As the Interim Chief Health Officer, Smith will work with stakeholders on creating
a Health Science Center that is relevant to the community by serving its mission of
workforce preparation, innovative solutions to cutting-edge research problems, community
outreach and patient care. 
Careers in health care and related fields provide high-quality, high-income jobs.
Health care also is the largest, fastest-growing industry in Texas, employing 1.3
million workers in more than 200 careers, with the number of health care jobs in the
state expected to grow 44 percent in the next five years. Houston, the nation’s fourth
largest city, is home to the world’s largest medical complex, the Texas Medical Center,
which employs more than 100,000 people.
“Enhancing our already outstanding health care programs remains one of my top priorities,”
said UH President Renu Khator. “The development of our new Health Science Center is
a crucial element of that commitment. Dean Smith brings the experience, enthusiasm
and energy required for this considerable challenge.”
UH already has made significant contributions in health care. More than 11,000 students
are currently enrolled in health-related degree programs, and about 24 percent of
all degrees awarded by UH are health related. Additionally, UH research programs are
working to address health-related scientific, engineering and policy issues, and its
clinical programs of optometry, pharmacy, clinical psychology, speech language pathology
and social work collectively treat more than 30,000 patients annually, as well as
generate more than $3 million in revenue. Smith will build on these strengths, working
to fill the gaps that currently exist.
“I am confident Earl Smith has the experience and commitment necessary for this important
role,” said UH Provost Paula Myrick Short. “He has done an outstanding job as dean
of the College of Optometry, and I look forward to working closely with him to establish
a superb UH Health Science Center.”
Smith will work with the Health Science Center Task Force, a group comprised of UH
System faculty, to develop programming by analyzing workforce needs in the region
and implementing new degree programs at the graduate and undergraduate levels. During
the two years that Smith will serve as Interim Chief Health Officer, Roger Boltz,
associate professor and associate dean for professional studies, will serve as Interim
Dean of the College of Optometry.
Smith received his O.D. and Ph.D. from the University of Houston and joined the faculty
of the UH College of Optometry in 1978. He has served as the Chair of the Basic Sciences
Department and as Associate Dean for Graduate Studies and Research. Prior to his appointment,
he held the Greeman-Petty Professorship in Vision Development and served as Dean of
the College of Optometry.
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About the University of Houston
The University of Houston is a Carnegie-designated Tier One public research university
recognized by The Princeton Review as one of the nation’s best colleges for undergraduate
education. UH serves the globally competitive Houston and Gulf Coast Region by providing
world-class faculty, experiential learning and strategic industry partnerships. Located
in the nation’s fourth-largest city, UH serves more than 39,500 students in the most
ethnically and culturally diverse region in the country. For more information about
UH, visit the university’s newsroom.
About UH Health
The University of Houston offers a wealth of health science programs that prepare
students for health and medical careers, address health-related scientific, engineering
and policy issues, and offer clinical programs directly involved in patient care.
UH enrolls more than 10,000 students in 97 health-related degree programs, conferring
nearly a quarter of health degrees in the region. The university’s research awards
in the health sciences account for 38 percent of total UH research, and its clinical
programs treat more than 30,000 patients annually, generating more than $3 million
in revenue. As a member of the Texas Medical Center, UH offers many opportunities
for both educational and research collaborations.
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