CHI St. Alexius Health is proud to present the 2022 Benedictine Spirit Award to Jeffrey DeSmidt, MD. The Benedictine Spirit Award is presented annually to a physician who provides distinguished service to patients and upholds the mission and values of CHI St. Alexius Health in the spirit of the Benedictine Sisters of Annunciation Monastery.
Dr. DeSmidt demonstrates distinguished service to patients by having an incredible passion to provide care to the people of our community though his work in the emergency department and beyond. He has a commitment to the mission and values of St. Alexius. As an emergency department physician, he truly upholds “Let all be received as Christ.” Dr. DeSmidt is a mentor and positive role model to the medical students, residents, PA students and NP students. His experience in emergency medicine and his involvement on multiple committees, along with his dedication to service as vice president of the medical staff, are emblematic of his commitment to the St. Alexius community.
Dr. DeSmidt has contributed significantly to the growth and well-being of St. Alexius. His dedication and positive leadership at St. Alexius is what we strive for in a member of our medical staff, not only for our hospital, but also for our community. In his role as the vice president of the medical staff, he works regularly to promote hospital policy that improves quality and safety, as well as patient experience, and encourages engagement of all the medical staff members.
Dr. DeSmidt regularly participates in recruitment of new providers to St Alexius; he is most proud of recruiting eight outstanding full-time emergency physicians to Bismarck, who now live in the community, staff the Emergency Room at St. Alexius, and participate in leadership and shared governance throughout the system. He leads by example, participating on several hospital committees and networking with community partners to ensure that outstanding care is provided to all patients at St. Alexius. He fosters an environment of engagement and learning in his department and encourages his partners and colleagues to collaborate with other organizations in the community as well.
He is actively involved in advancement of COVID-19 care and is a Physician Champion for Sepsis. Dr. DeSmidt regularly participates in Peer Review and is a member of the Department of Allied Health Professions Committee, the Joint Conference Committee, the Performance Effectiveness Committee, the Regional ED Coordination Team, and helps lead the ED Patient Experience Committee.
Dr. DeSmidt grew up in Mahtomedi, MN and attended the University of Minnesota, earning a degree in biochemistry. He met his wife Jade, a Bismarck High graduate, while at the University of Minnesota. He earned his medical degree from St. Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO and completed his residency in emergency medicine at St. Louis University Hospital in St. Louis, MO. He is board certified by the American Board of Emergency Medicine and has been an Emergency Department physician with Bismarck Emergency & Trauma Center since 2019.