Craig Smith, MD, MBA, is a Washington University acute and critical care and general surgery specialist who performs emergent and elective procedures at Missouri Baptist Medical Center.
Smith earned his medical degree from Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1995. He then went on to complete an Immunology and Transplant research fellowship with support from the National Institutes of Health in 2000. In 2003, Smith completed his residency at Washington University, where he trained under L. Michael Brunt, MD, a professor of surgery in the Section of Minimally Invasive Surgery.
“Dr. Brunt is a true pioneer in minimally invasive surgery,” says Smith. “Learning from expert Washington University surgeons equipped me to perform safe and effective procedures, often using small incisions. For decades, I have been honored to care for people with emergent health concerns in St. Louis.”
Smith, board certified in general surgery, is a minimally invasive and robotic surgery specialist himself, and treats such conditions as diseases of the gallbladder, gastrointestinal emergencies, gallstones, gallbladder disease, abdominal wall and inguinal hernias, peritoneal dialysis, hepatobiliary problems, and skin and soft tissue repair. Having worked in the medical field over 20 years, he has a wide breadth of experience providing emergency surgery as well as much needed procedures on a scheduled basis.
In addition to his usual clinical practice at Missouri Baptist, Smith recently made a week-long volunteer surgical mission trip to Honduras, where he provided critical surgeries to people with limited health care access. During his trip, Smith performed a high volume of appendix, gallbladder, hernia and abdominal surgeries.
“No laparoscopic surgery options were available at this small hospital and resources were very limited, so patients came from across the country for surgical services. I was the only general surgeon,” he says. “It was a most rewarding and satisfying experience.”
Smith sees patients at Missouri Baptist Medical Center in St. Louis, where he is currently accepting new patients. He continues to integrate his dedication to his patients into his everyday practice by treating a wide variety of cases. “I can often see patients without a long wait time,” Smith says. “I strive to provide much-needed care quickly to ensure patients get the help they need.”
Along with his fellow specialists at Washington University, Smith devotes his practice to upholding the highest caliber of patient care.
“I am proud to be a Washington University surgeon,” he says. “We see people with a wide spectrum of concerns, from common problems to the most complex surgical cases. These patients have access to world-class surgical experience and more opportunities than ever to find the care they need from a Washington University Physician.”
To book an appointment with Dr. Smith, please call 314-991-4644.