Franz Smith, MD, MAcM, FACS, has been named the Director of Graduate Medical Education and Chief Academic Officer for Saint Barnabas Medical Center (SBMC). He specializes in surgical oncology with expertise in cutaneous oncology and sarcoma surgery. “Since joining SBMC, Dr. Smith has distinguished himself as an outstanding surgeon and respected educator. In his new role, we look forward to his expertise and contributions to medical education throughout our organization,” says Stephen P. Zieniewicz, FACHE, President and CEO, Saint Barnabas Medical Center.
“As a leader in our organization, Dr. Smith will continue to build upon the success of the multitude of our diverse health education programs, providing the highest quality education to medical and advanced practice provider students, resident physicians in training, post graduate fellows, and also providing lifelong continuing medical education to practicing physicians,” says Gregory J. Rokosz, DO, JD, FACEP, FACOEP, Senior Vice President for Medical and Academic Affairs, Saint Barnabas Medical Center.
Dr. Smith received his medical degree from the University of the West Indies, Kingston, Jamaica and completed his surgical residency at Saint Barnabas Medical Center. During his residency he did a three year clinical research fellowship in Tumor Immunotherapy and Surgical Oncology in the Surgery Branch at the NCI/NIH, Bethesda, Maryland. The focus of his research was on high dose Interleukin-2, tumor vaccines and cell based therapies for the treatment of metastatic melanoma. Upon graduation from residency he did a two year surgical oncology fellowship at the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center/University of South Florida in Tampa, Florida. Dr. Smith continued his professional education and received a Masters in Academic Medicine (MAcM) from the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, and most recently, earned a Masters in Medical Management (MMM) from Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, PA.
Dr. Smith has been devoted to teaching and leadership throughout his career. In 2015, he was appointed Clinical Assistant Professor of Surgery at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, and in 2017 he was appointed Associate Professor of Surgery at Saint Georges University in Grenada. During his surgical residency, he was recognized by his peers for his dedication to the promotion of academic and clinical excellence and was also voted most inspirational house officer.
Among his numerous awards, Dr. Smith was the 2016 American Cancer Society/ New Jersey Chapter Diamond Ball Awardee. Dr. Smith has published multiple peer reviewed articles, a book chapter and has presented at national meetings. In addition to his clinical responsibilities he will also serve as the Director of Medical Education and Chief Academic Officer for Saint Barnabas Medical Center. He is a member of the Society of Surgical Oncology, American Society of Clinical Oncology, Association of Program Directors in Surgery, American College of Surgeons, Society of Black Academic Surgeons, and American Association of Physician Leaders.