Parkland Health Names Travis L. Smith Chief Financial Officer, Bringing 20 Years of Healthcare Leadership Experience

DALLAS, Texas - Parkland Health has appointed Travis L. Smith as executive vice president and chief financial officer, bringing more than two decades of healthcare finance and leadership experience to the Dallas County public health system.

Smith joined Parkland in September 2026, succeeding Richard Humphrey, who retired after nine years with the organization.

Before joining Parkland, Smith served as chief financial officer of clinical operations at University Health in San Antonio, where he previously held the position of deputy chief financial officer.

At University Health, Smith helped oversee financial operations for an integrated academic health system with more than 13,000 employees, an 873-bed hospital, a health plan covering more than 150,000 members and annual operations exceeding $4.2 billion.

His responsibilities included financial and strategic planning, hospital operations, physician practices, capital financing, supply chain management and initiatives to improve productivity.

Smith also helped support financing for two 286-bed community hospitals scheduled to open in 2027.

"Travis brings extensive healthcare finance experience along with a strong understanding of the complexities of an academic health system," said Dr. Fred Cerise, president and CEO of Parkland Health.

"His ability to work collaboratively with clinical and operational leaders while maintaining a strong focus on financial stewardship will be important as Parkland continues to grow and plan for the future healthcare needs of Dallas County."

New CFO to Focus on Financial Planning and Parkland's Public Healthcare Mission

As Parkland's chief financial officer, Smith joins the health system's executive leadership team at a time when the organization continues planning for the healthcare needs of Dallas County residents.

Smith said Parkland's public service mission was a major factor in his decision to join the organization.

"Parkland has an extraordinary legacy of caring for the people of Dallas County, and I am honored to join an organization with such a strong commitment to its public mission," Smith said.

"Sound financial stewardship is essential to ensuring Parkland has the resources to continue providing high-quality care today while investing wisely in the people, facilities and services our community will need in the future."

Smith added that he looks forward to working with Parkland's clinical, operational and financial teams to support the health system's long-term goals.

Experience Includes Baylor Scott & White and Memorial Hermann

Before his tenure at University Health, Smith held several financial leadership positions with Baylor Scott & White Health.

Those roles included vice president of finance and entity chief financial officer for McLane Children's Hospital & Clinics.

Earlier in his career, he worked in financial management and patient access positions at Venice Regional Medical Center and Memorial Hermann Southwest Hospital.

Smith began his healthcare career as a Medicaid eligibility specialist with the Texas Health and Human Services Commission at Brackenridge Hospital in Austin.

In that role, he interviewed patients experiencing financial hardship to determine their eligibility for healthcare assistance programs, including Medicaid.

Education and Professional Credentials

Smith earned both a Master of Business Administration and a Master of Healthcare Administration, graduating with honors from the University of Houston-Clear Lake.

He also holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of North Texas.

His professional credentials include fellowship status with the American College of Healthcare Executives and the Healthcare Financial Management Association.

Smith also completed the Texas Hospital Association Leadership Fellows program.