EastCarolinaBehavioral Healthhas a new chief medical officer.

 Dr. Michael E.Smith willjoinECBH asits CMJuly 1. Heisaboard-certifiedadult psychiatrist comingfrom privatepracticewithEastern Psychiatric &BehavioralSpecialists in Greenville.Healsoisboard–eligibleinchild andadolescent psychiatry.

“Dr. Smith hasdealtwithECBH as the Medicaid waiverentitywith whom his privatepractice contracts,” said ECBH ExecutiveDirectorLezaWainwright,“soheknows us from theprovider perspective. Thatinsight will beinvaluabletoECBH aswe partnerwithprovideragenciesto servethepeopleinour19counties.”

In hisroleaschief medicalofficer,Smithwillprovideclinicalandmedicalleadership toECBH anditsnetworkof providers. Hewillchairseveralgroups includingtheCredentialingand QualifyingCommittee,Care/Clinical ManagementTeam, UtilizationReview Committeeand theClinicalAdvisory Group,whichiscomposedofphysicians andotherlicensed clinicians.

“My approach tobehavioralhealthcareishighlycollaborativeand inclusive,”Smithexplains.“I believeinworkingclosely withindividuals,their families, andtheirprimary carephysicians and otherserviceproviders to helpthemdealwithdifficult challenges. Itismygoaltoensure peoplereceivetheappropriateservicewhen theyneed it.”

Smithreceived hisundergraduateandmedicaldegreesfromEastCarolinaUniversity and servedasaclinicalassistant professoratBrody Schoolof Medicinein theDepartment of Psychiatry.