HICKORY, N.C. – Frye Regional Medical Center recently named Frank C. Smeeks, M.S., M.D., as its Chief Medical Officer.

    In this new position Dr. Smeeks will help facilitate various quality measures with medical staff leadership at Frye. Additionally, he will work with the medical staff to increase awareness of issues involving medical risk management, disease management and patient satisfaction. He will also be responsible for educating and gathering feedback from physicians on new initiatives at Frye.

    Dr. Smeeks earned his medical degree from Meharry Medical College and completed an integrated residency in Emergency Medicine at Wright State University. Prior to earning his medical degree, Dr. Smeeks earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry and in Mathematics/Computer Science from Virginia Commonwealth University. He also earned a Master in Science degree in Chemistry from Penn State University.

    “In this new position I hope to apply the experience I learned as an emergency physician and practice administrator to help the Administrative team at Frye make practical decisions in planning for the future of this hospital,” said Dr. Smeeks. “I am excited to be working with the excellent physicians and Allied Health Professionals on the medical staff at Frye.”

    For a physician referral, please call Frye’s physician referral line at 800-339-8758.

    Frye Regional Medical Center, part of Tenet North Carolina, is a 355-bed acute care facility located at 420 North Center Street in Hickory. The hospital has been serving the medical and health care needs of Catawba County since 1911. The hospital’s main campus includes a comprehensive heart center and cardiopulmonary rehab, orthopedics, bariatric surgery, inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation, pediatrics, center for neurosciences, cancer center and women’s pavilion. Frye has several extended campuses to serve families throughout the area, including Frye Wellness and Education Center, which houses the Center For Diabetes Self-Management Care, perinatal education and community wellness classes; South Campus for psychiatric services; Viewmont and Tate Surgery Centers; Vein and Wound Center/Infusion Care; Unifour Pain Treatment Center; Piedmont Therapy, offering sports and industrial rehabilitation; an urgent care facility; FryeCare, an outpatient diagnostic facility; Alexander Campus, which provides 24-hour emergency care along with diagnostic and laboratory services and infusion care; plus HealthPoint, which provides extensive industrial services and programs to employers.

    Frye Regional Medical Center is accredited by the Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, the nation’s oldest and largest hospital accreditation agency. To learn more about the hospital, visit www.fryemedctr.com.