Colonel Dawn M. Smith
Colonel Dawn M. Smith was born and raised in San Antonio, Texas. She received her Regular
Army Commission in the Medical Service Corps from Texas A&M University in 1982 through
the Reserve Officer Training Corps. Colonel Smith was a Distinguished Military Graduate and
holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Bio-Medical Sciences from Texas A&M, a Masters Degree
from the U.S. Army-Baylor University Graduate Program in Healthcare Administration, and a
Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies with Distinction from the United States
Naval War College.
Colonel Smith has served in a wide variety of both field and fixed medical units. After
the AMEDD Officer Basic Course in 1983, Colonel Smith was assigned to the 1st Medical Group
at Fort Hood, TX was she served as the 1st Medical Group Assistant S-1, the S-1/S-2 of the 21st
Evacuation Hospital, and the Commander, HHD, 1st Medical Group. After the AMEDD Officer
Advanced Course, Colonel Smith was assigned to the 8th Infantry Division in Germany where she
served as the DISCOM Support Operations Officer and then as the Division Medical Operations
Officer. A second tour in Germany followed at HQs, 7th Medical Command in Heidelberg,
Germany where she served as Medical Plans Officer for Southern Europe and the Middle East,
followed by selection as the Aide-de-Camp to the Commander, 7th MEDCOM. After completion
of the Army-Baylor Program, she served her administrative residency at Brooke Army Medical
Center, Fort Sam Houston, TX. Remaining at BAMC for her utilization tour, Colonel Smith
served as a Transition Officer for the New BAMC Project, and next as Chief, Clinical Support
Division. Upon graduation from resident Command and General Staff College, Colonel Smith
was assigned to Fort Hood, TX as the S-1, 1st Medical Group, followed by assignment as the
Executive Officer, 21st Combat Support Hospital. Leaving Fort Hood, she was the Executive
Officer, Brooke Army Medical Center. In July 2000, she assumed Command of the Academy
Battalion, Center Brigade at the AMEDD Center and School. Following Battalion Command, she
attended the Naval War College at Newport, RI. Colonel Smith next served as the Deputy
Commander for Administration for the DeWitt Health Care Network at Fort Belvoir, VA. During
her follow on assignment at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center’s Office of Integration, she
deployed to Iraq as the Deputy Commander for Administration of the 10th Combat Support
Hospital in Baghdad. In July 2006 she assumed command of Irwin Army Community Hospital
at Fort Riley, KS. From August 2008 until February 2010 she served as the Deputy Corps Chief
and the Corps Specific Branch Proponency Officer for the Medical Service Corps. Col Smith
assumed the duties of the Chief of Staff of the AMEDD Center and School in February 2010.
Her military education includes the AMEDD Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, the
Combat Casualty Care Course, Combined Arms and Services Staff School, the Strategic Mobility
Planning Course, the NATO Staff Officers Orientation Course, Command and General Staff
College, the Defense Strategy Course, the Medical Strategic Leadership Program, and the Naval
War College. Colonel Smith's awards and decorations include the Bronze Star, Legion of Merit,
Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters, the Joint Service Commendation Medal,
the Army Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters, the Army Achievement Medal with
two oak leaf clusters, the Iraqi Campaign Medal, Overseas Ribbon, Military Outstanding
Volunteer Service Medal, the Expert Field Medical Badge and the German Proficiency Badge
(Gold). She is a member of the Army Medical Department’s Order of Military Medical Merit
and a Fellow with the American College of Healthcare Executives.
Colonel Smith is married to Frank J. Smith, LTC, U.S. Army Reserves. They have one
daughter, Megan Marie.