Carolyn Smith, M.D., clinical associate professor of exercise science in the College of Health Sciences, has been named acting chief wellness officer, Acting President and Provost Kimo Ah Yun announced today. Smith will report to Dr. Chris Navia, acting vice president of belonging and student affairs, and will work closely with teams across campus to ready programmatic elements of the new Wellness + Helfaer Recreation facility that is slated to open in January. Her direct areas of oversight include the Marquette University Medical Clinic, Counseling Center, Recreational Sports, and the Student Wellness and Health Promotion Program.
A national search to identify an individual for the permanent chief wellness officer role is underway. Reporting directly to the provost, the chief wellness officer will lead the development of a holistic, sustainable, multidisciplinary strategy for student health and well-being, and embed these principles into the facets of the Marquette student experience as articulated in Marquette’s Strategic Plan 2031, Guided by Mission, Inspired to Change.
“Dr. Smith’s longtime experience working directly with Marquette students, her leadership of the Marquette Medical Clinic for many years, and her commitment to cura personalis make her the ideal person to shape this important new position and help the inaugural chief wellness officer transition into the permanent role,” Acting President Ah Yun said.
Smith started at Marquette in 2002 as the Marquette Medical Clinic’s medical director; she was named executive medical director of the clinic in 2009, a position she held until 2018.
She served as an adjunct clinical instructor in the College of Health Sciences from 2003-18, when she began in her current position of clinical associate professor. Smith has served as the medical director of the Athletic Training Educational Program since 2004 and has previously served as head medical team physician and medical director for the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. She currently serves as Team Physician for the women’s basketball program.
Watch Marquette Today for updates on the chief wellness officer search.
