Date Posted: June 16, 2026
Southern Crescent Technical College is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Hamilton Elijah Smith as Dean of Allied Health. Dr. Smith brings experience in healthcare, academic leadership, and workforce development, and his office will be located at SCTC’s Flint River Campus in Thomaston, GA.
Dr. Smith is committed to preparing students for successful careers, and to strengthening partnerships between educational institutions and healthcare providers. His professional experience spans higher education, K–12 administration, workforce training, and program development, with a focus on student success and meeting regional workforce needs. He has led initiatives in education, curriculum development, strategic planning, and student engagement.
In addition to his academic leadership experience, Dr. Smith is a licensed registered nurse (RN), advanced practice registered nurse (APRN), and ANCC board-certified Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC). Throughout his healthcare career, he has provided clinical leadership and patient care across inpatient, outpatient, crisis stabilization, addiction medicine, and community behavioral health settings throughout Georgia. As Chief Executive Officer and Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner for Sapelo Psychiatry and Swift & Smith, P.C., he has overseen healthcare operations, regulatory compliance, quality improvement initiatives, and the delivery of evidence-based clinical services for children, adolescents, and adults. Dr. Smith has served healthcare organizations as an independent contractor, including Advantage Behavioral Health, Avita Community Partners, ViewPoint Health, and Salveo Integrated Health.
Prior to working as a nurse practitioner, Dr. Smith worked in inpatient psychiatry as an Assessment & Referral RN at Ridgeview Institute of Monroe. As a nurse, he coordinated admissions and leveraged outreach with local hospitals and outpatient referral sources to expand patient access to mental health services. His experience developing workforce-ready healthcare professionals extends to higher education, where he has taught and supervised nursing students at Purdue University Global, served as a course lead and subject matter expert in psychopharmacology, and contributed to CCNE re-accreditation and curriculum development initiatives. This unique combination of medical practice, healthcare administration, and academic leadership positions him to strengthen industry partnerships, expand clinical opportunities, and advance Allied Health education throughout the region.
In his new role, Dr. Smith will provide leadership for SCTC’s Allied Health Division, which offers a comprehensive portfolio of healthcare programs designed to meet the workforce demands of the region. He will oversee certificate, diploma, and associate degree programs in allied health professions such as; Cardiovascular Technology, Health Care Management, Radiologic Technology, Respiratory Care, and Surgical Technology. His leadership will support the college’s continued commitment to delivering quality instruction, exceptional clinical experiences, and workforce training, that prepares graduates for success in an evolving healthcare environment.
“Dr. Smith‘s background in healthcare and educational leadership makes him an outstanding addition to our academic leadership team,” said Dr. Alvin Harmon, Vice President for Academic Affairs at SCTC. “His experience training future educators, supporting student achievement, and the ability to foster strong relationships with healthcare partners will strengthen our Allied Health programs and expand opportunities for students throughout our service area.”
“I am honored to join Southern Crescent Technical College and serve as Dean of Allied Health,” said Dr. Smith. “I look forward to working alongside our faculty, staff, students, and healthcare partners to advance healthcare education and prepare graduates to meet the growing healthcare needs of our communities.”