Eric Smith has retired as senior vice president and chief digital officer of Houston-based Memorial Hermann Health System after more than six years with the organization.
Mr. Smith joined Memorial Hermann in April 2020. He oversaw the 17-hospital system’s digital, data and analytics, and contact center operations, including mobile, messaging, virtual voice, online scheduling, digital intake, customer relationship management and virtual health.
He led the system’s digital work during its 2024 transition to Epic and the launch of a digital front door platform. He also helped establish an AI governance council and roll out virtual voice tools that increased managed care patient engagement by 15%.
Mr. Smith, whose last day was Sept. 30, said he spent the past several months working closely with Senior Vice President and CIO Desiree Gandrup-Dupre to prepare for the transition.
“One of the things that makes this decision easier is knowing the work will be in great hands,” Mr. Smith wrote Sept. 30 on LinkedIn.
Ms. Gandrup-Dupre will now oversee both IT and digital at Memorial Hermann, she told Becker’s.
Mr. Smith said he expects to stay engaged with technology, AI and healthcare navigation, advising organizations from time to time.
Before Memorial Hermann, Mr. Smith spent more than a decade at USAA. His roles there included chief technology officer, chief data and analytics officer, and senior vice president of design, digital, data and innovation. He has also served as a board observer for Truveta since January 2021.
