Kathy Smith

I am a seasoned healthcare marketing and communications executive with 35 years of experience helping health systems, academic medical centers, pharmaceutical companies, and health advocacy organizations build trusted brands, drive strategic growth, and strengthen community engagement. 

During my 20-year tenure at Johns Hopkins Medicine, I served in multiple leadership and executive roles, shaping enterprise-wide marketing and communications strategies across the organization. Most recently, I spent four years leading strategic consumer and physician marketing, brand development, referral network growth, digital strategy, market research, and internal and external communications for Roper St. Francis Healthcare—Charleston, SC's largest not‑for‑profit health system. 

Earlier in my career, I held roles with healthcare and pharmaceutical public relations agencies and worked in university communications. I earned my bachelor’s degree in journalism and public relations from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a master’s degree in communication from Johns Hopkins University. 

I relocated to Buffalo with my husband, Taylor—an Orchard Park native with deep family roots in Buffalo and Hamburg. Our two adult sons reside in South Carolina.