The Hawaii Medical Service Association (HMSA) has appointed Jenny Smith as its new president and chief operating officer, effective November 1, 2024. This historic appointment marks the first time in the organization’s 87-year history that a woman will assume this leadership role. Dr. Mark Mugiishi, who has been serving as HMSA’s president and chief executive officer since February 2020, will retain his position as CEO.
In a statement released today, Mugiishi emphasized the importance of this leadership change, highlighting the need to improve HMSA’s internal operations to ensure the delivery of high-quality health services. “With everything happening in health care locally and nationally, we’re making this change to prioritize the internal operations of HMSA so we can continue to run the best health plan possible, which the people of Hawaii deserve now more than ever,” he said.
Smith, who joined HMSA in April 2024 as executive vice president and chief financial officer, has already made significant contributions to the organization. Her responsibilities included overseeing financial operations as well as actuarial and underwriting functions. In her new role, she will expand her oversight to include all health plan operations, according to HMSA officials.
With more than 25 years of experience in the health insurance sector, Smith has worked with several notable organizations, including CareFirst in Maryland and Washington, D.C., and the Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of the Northwest region. Her extensive background equips her with the expertise needed to drive HMSA’s performance in an evolving healthcare landscape.
“I’m honored to serve as HMSA’s next president as we have an ambitious vision to serve our members and benefit the people of Hawaii,” Smith stated. She expressed her commitment to enhancing internal efficiency and operational performance. “We will invest in our people and systems to enhance capacities and capabilities, which will improve operational performance and help us keep health care premiums affordable for our members.”
Dr. Mugiishi, the first physician to lead HMSA, took the helm during the challenging period of the COVID-19 pandemic. HMSA officials noted that with Smith focusing on operational management, Mugiishi will continue to oversee the organization’s broader responsibilities, ensuring service to members, employers, providers, and the community at large.
As HMSA moves forward under this new leadership, the organization is poised to navigate the complexities of the healthcare industry while maintaining its commitment to the people of Hawaii.
