Robert K. Smoldt is Chief Administrative Officer Emeritus of Mayo Clinic. He served as a member of Mayo Clinic Board of Trustees and Mayo Clinic Executive Committee from 1990 through 2007; and is presently pursuing U.S. health reform in close partnership with Mayo Clinic's president and chief executive officer. In January 2010 Mr. Smoldt accepted a position as Associate Director of Arizona State University's Center for Healthcare Delivery and Policy.
Mr. Smoldt earned the B.S. degree from Iowa State University and the M.B.A. degree from the University of Southern California. He has given numerous presentations and is a recognized speaker on the health care environment. Mr. Smoldt has provided leadership at Mayo Clinic facilities in Rochester and Scottsdale. He has completed two terms as secretary of Mayo Clinic Rochester Board of Governors and served on the Mayo Clinic Scottsdale Board of Governors as a senior advisor from 1998 to 2000. He has been involved in health care administration for over 30 years - both with the U.S. Air Force and Mayo Clinic. Mr. Smoldt joined Mayo in 1972, and he has worked in a variety of administrative positions in both medical and surgical departments. Prior to his CAO role, he served as chair of the Department of Planning and Public Affairs.
Mr. Smoldt also has been active in Medical Group Management Association, along with other members who manage and lead medical facilities across the nation - and work together to improve their knowledge, skills and the effectiveness of medical group practices. He has chaired the organization's research and marketing committees and has acted as moderator of its international conference in London, England. Most recently, he was a member of the Medical Group Management Association National Awards Committee, which honors those who make significant leadership contributions to health care administration, delivery or education in medical group practice and presents the following awards: Harry J. Harwick Award for Lifetime Achievement Award, Physician Executive Award, Fred Graham Award and Medical Practice Executive of the Year Award.