Bio for Department of Health Services
Secretary Dennis G. Smith

Dennis Smith was appointed by Governor Scott Walker to serve as Secretary of the Department of Health Services on January 3, 2011. The agency is responsible for Wisconsin Medicaid programs which provide health care and long-term care services to more than 1 million enrollees, operates four mental health facilities, regulates state hospitals and coordinates the public health response for the state of Wisconsin.

Secretary Smith previously served as Director of the Center for Medicaid and State Operations at the Centers for Medicare and Medicare Services under Secretaries Tommy G. Thompson and Michael O. Leavitt. Smith served on various staff positions in the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives. In previous state roles, he also served as Medicaid Director for the Commonwealth of Virginia and as Chief of Planning for the California Department of Developmental Services.

In addition to his state and federal government service, Secretary Smith has worked as Managing Director of Medicaid Practice at Leavitt Partners, a partnership that advises clients in the practice areas of health, environment and trade. He was also a Senior Fellow at the Heritage Foundation, a Washington, D.C. think tank.

Smith has a Master's Degree in Public Administration from George Mason University and completed his undergraduate work at Illinois State University. Smith and his wife Laurel have four daughters.

Last Revised: January 21, 2011