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FRANKFORT, KY — Kentucky State University announces Rick W. Smith Sr., as the new vice president of External Relations and Development effective Monday, April 11.

In his most recent role, Smith was the system director of communications for KentuckyOne Health, based in Louisville.  He has more than 25 years’ experience in healthcare, business administration, public relations, marketing and television news.

He has served in leadership and/or executive roles at Phoebe Putney Health System, Albany, Georgia; Ephraim McDowell Health System, Danville, Kentucky; Southeast Alabama Medical Center, Dothan, Alabama; Southern Regional Health System, Riverdale, Georgia; and The UC Medical Center & Health Alliance of Greater Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio.

Smith began his career in television news where he was an assignment editor and producer at WAVE-TV and producer/reporter at WHAS-TV in Louisville. He was also a producer and medical reporter at WKRC-TV in Cincinnati.

Smith has served as an adjunct instructor at St. Catharine College in Springfield, Kentucky, teaching marketing.

In 2005, Smith was named one of Atlanta, Georgia’s 40 under 40 Top Business Executives, and was also given the honor of being named one of Georgia’s Outstanding Citizens in 2005-06. He is a past recipient of Who’s Who distinctions in Louisville, KY, Cincinnati, OH, Atlanta, GA and Dothan, AL. He is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi, Fraternity Incorporated and is a graduate of the Leadership Louisville class of 2015 and Urban League Leadership Alliance Seminar class of 2015.

Smith is a graduate of the University of Louisville, where he received a BA in Broadcast Communications.  He also holds an MBA from Kennedy Western University.

Rick and his wife, Kyala, are the proud parents of 23-year old Rickey, 18-year-old Rashard and 15-year-old Brandon. He is a member of St. Stephen Baptist Church in Louisville, Ky.