January 2002
Smith Clinic Appoints Nationally Recognized Physician as Full-Time Medical Director

MARION, OHIO - Smith Clinic, north central Ohio’s largest and most medically diverse physician group practice, is pleased to announce the appointment of Peter Somani, M.D., Ph.D. as its first full-time Medical Director.  He will assume his responsibilities January 1, 2002.

Dr. Somani will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of medical services provided by Smith Clinic physicians and staff members, as well as playing an active role in recruiting highly qualified physicians to continue the growth of services at the Clinic.  The overall goal of the appointment is to refine the Clinic’s vision of quality care and innovative healthcare services. 

Peter Somani, M.D., Ph.D. is the past Director of Health for the State of Ohio under Governor George V. Voinovich from 1992 to 1997.  Most recently, Dr. Somani worked with the Cleveland Clinic Foundation as Director of the India Project, where he helped develop technical collaboration between the foundation, the Birla Heart Hospital, and the Calcutta Medical Research Institute in Calcutta, India.  

Dr. Somani has an extensive background in medicine, clinical research and administration.  He has held numerous distinguished positions, including Professor of Medicine and Pharmacology at the Medical College of Ohio at Toledo, and at University of Miami School of Medicine; Advisory Committee member to the prestigious National Institutes of Health, and as Technical Advisor to the United Nations Development Program in Thailand.  Currently, he is a member and Vice-President of the Ohio State Medical Board.  

An expert in drug therapy of cardiovascular diseases, Dr. Somani is a frequent guest speaker nationally and internationally.  He has won several prestigious national honors and awards for his leadership, and accomplishments in medicine.