Dr. Craig R. Smith Named Chair of Surgery and Surgeon-in-Chief at Columbia University Medical Center and NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia

Leading Cardiac Surgeon Helped to Establish the Medical Center's Pre-eminent Heart Transplant Program

One of the nation's leading cardiac surgeons, Dr. Craig R. Smith has been appointed chairman of the Department of Surgery at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons and surgeon-in-chief at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center and its Vivian and Seymour Milstein Family Heart Center. Dr. Smith, the Calvin F. Barber Professor of Surgery, has served as interim chair of the department since 2007.

With a roster of nearly 100 full-time faculty members with specialties ranging from basic science research to the most advanced robotic surgical procedures, 89 fellows and residents, and more than 330 staff members, the Department of Surgery at NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia draws on a tradition of more than 225 years of distinction in patient care, research and education.

"Having come up through the ranks here beginning with his cardiothoracic surgery residency, Dr. Smith represents the best that Columbia and our partner hospital NewYork-Presbyterian can offer — excellence in training leaders in medicine who provide superb patient care and education, while driving innovation that will keep departments like this among the most active and successful in the nation," says Dr. Lee Goldman, executive vice president and dean of the Faculties of Health Sciences and Medicine at Columbia University Medical Center. "Throughout the many leadership roles he has held in the Department of Surgery – now culminating with the chairmanship – he has fostered a culture of research and educational excellence, with unprecedented clinical collaborations, notably between cardiothoracic surgery and cardiology, which have paid major dividends in patient care. It is my distinct pleasure to congratulate him on his new appointment."

"An outstanding surgeon and leader, Dr. Smith played a key role in establishing our heart transplant program as the largest of its kind – and one of the most successful – in the United States, and embracing the latest advances in valve repair and valve-sparing aortic procedures. He helped bring about the successful opening of our new Vivian and Seymour Milstein Family Heart Center, making it a beacon for the best available cardiac care," says Dr. Herbert Pardes, president and CEO of NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital. "Today he is focused on advancing the overall practice of surgery, increasing the available life-saving treatment options like multi-organ transplantation and minimally invasive techniques that speed recovery."

An authority in cardiopulmonary bypass surgery, Dr. Smith developed a surgical approach that allows neurosurgeons to treat otherwise inoperable intracerebral aneurysms by inducing deep hypothermia with circulatory arrest. His research interests include mitral valve repair, long-term heart transplantation outcomes, preoperative risk factors for stroke after bypass surgery, and adaptation in heart transplantation. He is co-principal investigator for the multicenter PARTNER aortic transcatheter valve trial, focused on the treatment of patients who are at high risk or not suitable for open-heart valve replacement surgery.

"I look forward to continuing to work with – and being inspired by – the many talented faculty and staff in the Department of Surgery as we strive to provide patients with the very best care and train future leaders in surgery," says Dr. Smith. "I am honored to be appointed chair of this eminent department."

Dr. Smith came to NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia as a fellow in cardiothoracic surgery in 1982, and in 1984 was appointed associate director of the medical center's heart transplant program. He was appointed chief of the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery and chief of the Section of Cardiac Surgery in 1996. He became a full professor of surgery in 1998, and was named the Calvin F. Barber Professor in 2001.

After receiving his medical degree from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Dr. Smith completed an internship and residency in general surgery at the University of Rochester/Strong Memorial Hospital, where he went on to complete a fellowship in vascular surgery.

In 2004, Dr. Smith received the NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia "Practitioner of the Year" award and was inducted into the American Surgical Association, one of the nation's oldest and most prestigious surgical organizations. He is a member of several professional societies, including the American Heart Association, the American Medical Association, and the American College of Surgeons. The author of more than 170 scientific publications, Dr. Smith has a strong history of fellowship and grant support. Currently vice president of the American Association for Thoracic Surgery, he has been named president of that organization, a post he will assume in May 2011.