David Marion Smith Fache

David Marion Smith, FACHE passed away on Sunday, March 1, 2020 at the age of 91. Beloved husband of the late Joyce Beth Smith for 54 years. Father of Elizabeth Smith Alfortish and Mark David Smith. Son of the late Loudel and David Murphy Smith. Brother of Elizabeth Gentry (the late Hoyte) and Malcolm Smith (the late Loretta). Grandfather of Thomas Charles Alfortish and Jacquelyn Leigh Phillips (Sean). Great grandfather of Sean Michael Phillips, Jr. and Savannah Michelle Phillips. Also survived by numerous nieces and nephews. He held special love and affection for his niece Karen Sexton (David) and his nephew, Ty Gentry. He is also survived by his special doctor friends, “The Romeos”. He was a graduate of Texas A&M and of Northwestern University, Chicago. He was the President and CEO of West Jefferson Medical Center and its first administrator, retiring after 40 years of service. It was noted by officials of the American Hospital Association that he was the longest serving president and CEO of a major hospital in the USA. Under his leadership, West Jefferson Medical Center was the first hospital in the region to have 24 hour physician coverage in the Emergency Room, the first hospital to operate an aeromedical helicopter in the State of Louisiana and the first hospital to open a comprehensive wellness facility. David Smith’s career highlights include his presidency of the Southeastern Hospital Conference, the Conference’s Distinguished Service Award for outstanding service and leadership and the 1996 naming of West Jefferson Medical Center to the nation’s top 100 hospitals and the nation’s top 20 hospitals in the non-teaching, over 250-bed category by the HCIA, Inc and William M. Mercer International firms. He was past President of the Louisiana Hospital Association and served as adjunct professor in healthcare administration at Tulane University and participated in numerous community projects for the betterment of the citizens of Jefferson Parish. He was a long standing member of the Harvey Canal Industrial Association. He was a native of Corpus Christi, a resident of Gretna, LA, an avid reader and loved to fish. Relatives and friends of the family are invited to attend the Funeral Service in the chapel of Mothe Funeral Home, 2100 Westbank Expwy., Harvey, LA on Wednesday, March 4, 2020 at 9am. Visitation will be held on Tuesday evening from 6pm until 8pm and again on Wednesday morning from 8:30am until 9am. Family and friends may view and sign the online guest book at www.mothefunerals.com . In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to Heart of Hospice or to the David M. Smith Employee Scholarship fund that provides assistance to employees of West Jefferson Medical Center to help fund nursing, medical, allied health and other healthcare career tuitions, college fees, and continuing education and advanced certification courses and may be made to the Auxiliary to WJMC at 1101 Medical Center Boulevard, Marrero, LA 70072.