Dr. Beth Smolko is the president of the American Academy of PAs (AAPA). She has served on AAPA’s Board of Directors since 2016, following several years of service and leadership in AAPA’s House of Delegates. She also served in multiple leadership positions at the Association of Family Practice PAs (AFPPA), including it board of directors and as its representative to national discussions on Hepatitis C at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at the White House.

She is the founding Program Director and Department Chair for Frostburg State University’s PA Medicine Program in rural western Maryland. The program was created to increase access to healthcare in Appalachia and medically underserved areas across the country. She is currently working to create a statewide telemedicine curriculum for PA programs across Maryland. She is also Chair of the Area Health Education Centers (AHEC) – Maryland West.

Dr. Smolko is also a nationally recognized speaker and author on topics in telemedicine including legislative barriers and access-to-care issues. She was the Lead Clinical Advisor and Telemedicine Lead for Wellness Center Operations for Lockheed Martin, the largest defense contractor in the world. She authored Lockheed’s telemedicine white paper used by the corporation to address access to care for employees and detailed the financial benefits to the corporation when employees have access to the right care, at the right time, in the right setting.

Smolko’s passion for accessible, effective, and compassionate patient care led her to found a nonprofit called The Heart of Medicine, dedicated to delivering primary care to poor and underserved communities. As President, she coordinates volunteer medical trips for healthcare professionals, including leading teams of volunteers to deliver health care in mobile clinics and non-traditional healthcare settings in Haiti.

Smolko earned a BA in Biology from St. Mary’s College of Maryland, a Master of Medical Science in PA Studies from Midwestern University in Glendale, Arizona, and a Doctor of Medical Science degree from Lynchburg College. She has also earned Six Sigma Greenbelt certification and is a nationally certified health coach (NSHC).