Zirka Smith, MPH, DRPH is the senior administrator for the Emory University Department of Ophthalmology and Emory Eye Center. She joined the Emory Eye Center a little over two years ago after holding similar leadership positions in the departments of Endocrinology and Infectious Diseases.
The program, conducted in collaboration with Emory University Human Resources and Emory's Goizueta School of Business, provides development for the university's senior leaders. Also graduating from the School of Medicine was Aviana Ingram, senior administrator for the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics.
"I am so grateful for [this] experience," said Smith, who has held several leadership positions during her eight-year tenure in the Emory School of Medicine.
"Over the last eight months, this opportunity has provided me with expansive skills on what it means to be a leader in various environments. It was a journey guided by experts, internal and external to Emory, who brought invaluable expertise and guidance. I left each course feeling motivated and fulfilled in ways I immediately wanted to share with my teams. I look forward to applying these skills as I continue to develop in my career. Lastly, I am humbled to have made such incredible friends within my cohort, they are colleagues from across the University that brought additional wisdom and views based on their Emory-lived experiences."
Joining others in praising Smith was Emory Eye Center director and F. Phinizy Calhoun, Sr. Chair of Ophthalmology Dr. Allen Beck.
"Zirka's leadership style emphasizes a combination of team-building, trust, and analytics that allows her colleagues to take pride and ownership in their skills and achievements," he said. "In the two years she's been with the department, we've all gained new perspective on the power of team-building."
-Kathleen E. Moore