Covenant Health Welcomes Paul Smith as Vice President of Behavioral Health

April 2025 — Covenant Health has announced Paul Smith as the health system’s new vice president of behavioral health, effective April 21. Smith will lead Covenant Health’s behavioral health initiatives, including inpatient and outpatient services offered through Peninsula, a division of Parkwest Medical Center. 

“Peninsula is a great organization, built on the trust of the community and the dedication of the team,” Smith said. “I look forward to continuing its legacy, helping Peninsula grow and thrive, and helping Covenant Health reach out to fill community needs.”  

“It’s my pleasure to welcome Paul Smith as Covenant Health’s new vice president of behavioral health,” said Devan Johnson, president and chief administrative officer at Parkwest Medical Center. “Paul comes to us with significant experience in both inpatient and outpatient behavioral services. He also has a strong focus on team culture. We look forward to working with him to build the premier behavioral health program in East Tennessee.”   

Smith most recently was vice president of behavioral services for HCA Healthcare: Corpus Christi Medical Center in Corpus Christi, Texas. His responsibilities included directing behavioral health services for a multi-campus hospital. He also led a stand-alone acute psychiatric hospital with full inpatient and outpatient programs.  

During his tenure, he improved financial performance in inpatient and outpatient services. He implemented strategic growth and expansion initiatives, including medical integration of behavioral care. His efforts helped the organization receive a Press Ganey Guardian of Excellence Award for 2023 and 2024. The award recognizes organizations that achieve 95^th percentile or higher for patient experience, employee engagement, physician experience and clinical quality.  

“Paul Smith has an exceptional range of experience in all aspects of mental health services, from delivery of care to successful clinical and financial operations,” said Jim VanderSteeg, Covenant Health president and CEO. “We look forward to his insights and leadership as we continue providing resources for East Tennessee’s growing behavioral health needs.”   

Smith served as regional CEO and assistant vice president of Perimeter Healthcare in Waynesville, Missouri. The organization operates free-standing psychiatric hospitals and psychiatric residential treatment facilities in six states. He was responsible for services, marketing, and operational effectiveness of the residential treatment facilities. In addition, he managed budgets for division programs and developed/managed new treatment facilities.  

As a group facilitator at Davita, a leading independent medical group, he opened/managed facilities in the Dallas-Fort Worth (Texas) area. Smith was a behavioral healthcare administrator in Norman, Oklahoma, with consultative roles in grant writing, business development and contract negotiations. He has 20+ years of progressive leadership roles in behavioral organizations and has served as a consultant to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.  

“We’re very pleased to have Paul Smith as a new vice president at Peninsula Hospital and Covenant Health,” said Mike Belbeck, executive vice president of operations. “His strong background and accomplishments affirm his ability to lead behavioral health operations while emphasizing patient care, clinical excellence, and building relationships with employees and physicians.”   

Smith earned a master’s degree in healthcare administration from the University of South Dakota. He received his bachelor’s degree in social science from Cameron University in Lawton, Oklahoma. He is a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives. Smith is a past advisor for the Oklahoma Health Care Authority Committee on Behavioral Health Managed Care. He is a past board member of the Oklahoma Commission on Children & Youth, and is a recipient of a Martin Luther King, Jr., Community Service Award. He presents on behavioral health and community service management topics at regional and national conferences.