Stephen T. Smith, MD, FACS

FOUNDING PARTNER, Vascular Surgery

Dr. Stephen Smith is a founding partner of Peak Heart & Vascular and a board-certified vascular surgeon with advanced training in endovascular and minimally invasive vascular surgery. His expertise and teaching excellence have been widely recognized and awarded. Dr. Smith founded the ACGME-accredited Vascular Surgery Fellowship Program at Abrazo Arizona Heart Hospital, where he serves as the Program Director.

After earning his medical degree from The University of Texas Southwestern Medical School at Dallas in 2001, Dr. Smith completed his general surgery residency and vascular surgery fellowship at UT Southwestern and Parkland Memorial Hospital. He then served as an Assistant Professor of Surgery at UT Southwestern and was Chief of Vascular Surgery at Parkland Memorial Hospital.

In 2010, Dr. Smith moved to Phoenix, where he has worked to advance vascular surgery across the Valley and northern Arizona. He has held leadership roles at Honor Health, including as the Founding Chair of the Amputation Prevention Center across the network. Dr. Smith is also heavily involved in the education and training of surgical residents at Valleywise/Creighton University, earning multiple teaching awards.

Dr. Smith has advanced training and a special interest in the endovascular treatment of thoracic and abdominal aortic aneurysms and lower extremity peripheral arterial disease. He has conducted academic research in the area of deep venous thrombosis and has extensive experience in its minimally invasive treatment. He also specializes in treating all aspects of venous diseases, including varicose veins. Dr. Smith was selected to be a fellow of the American College of Surgeons and is an active member of this organization and the Society of Vascular Surgery.

Dr. Smith is certified by the American Board of Surgery in General Surgery and Vascular Surgery and is a Diplomate of the American Board of Venous and Lymphatic Medicine.

Medical School
  • The University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, Dallas, 2001

 

Residency & Fellowship
  • General Surgery Residency, UT Southwestern and Parkland Memorial Hospital, Dallas, TX
  • Vascular Surgery Fellowship, UT Southwestern and Parkland Memorial Hospital, Dallas, TX

 

Professional Awards & Recognitions
  • MacDonald Wood Golden Scalpel Award for Excellence in Teaching, 2019–2020
  • Department of Surgery, Maricopa Medical Center, 2019–2020
  • Excellence in Clinical Education Award, General Surgery Program, Maricopa Integrated Health Services, 2012–2013
  • Special Recognition for Outstanding Achievement in Resident Teaching, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, 2008
  • NIH Clinical Scholars Program (K12), Department of Clinical Sciences, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, 2008
  • Academic Achievement Award, Department of Surgery, UT Southwestern Medical Center, 2003
  • Academic Achievement Award, Department of Surgery, UT Southwestern Medical Center, 2002
  • Hudson-Penn Award for Outstanding Performance in Clinical Surgery, 2001

 

Publications
  • Smith ST, Arko FR. Repair of Infrarenal Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms. ACS Surgery: Principles & Practice. 2007.
  • Smith ST, Clagett GP. Pulmonary Thromboembolism. Current Surgical Therapy, 9th Edition. 2007.
  • Smith ST, Valentine RJ. Arterial Thoracic Outlet Syndrome. Rutherford’s Vascular Surgery, 7th Edition.

 

Journals (Peer Reviewed)
  1. Smith ST, Scott DJ, Burdick JS, Rege RV, Jones DB. Laparoscopic Marsupialization and Hemisplenectomy for Splenic Cysts. J Laparoendosc Adv Surg Tech A. 2001;11(4):243–249.
  2. Smith ST, Clagett GP. Commentary: Human thrombin for treatment of pseudoaneurysms—comparison of bovine and human thrombin sonogram-guided injection. Perspect Vasc Surg Endovasc Ther. 2006;18(3):267–268.
  3. Smith ST. Commentary: Comparison of fixed-dose weight-adjusted unfractionated heparin and low-molecular-weight heparin for acute treatment of venous thromboembolism. Perspect Vasc Surg Endovasc Ther. 2007;19(3):338–339.
  4. Arko FR, Davis CM III, Murphy EH, Smith ST, Timaran CH, Modrall JG, Valentine RJ, Clagett GP. Aggressive percutaneous mechanical thrombectomy of deep venous thrombosis: early clinical results. Ann Vasc Surg. 2007;142(6):513–518.
  5. Smith ST, Clagett GP, Arko FR. Endovascular conversion with femorofemoral bypass as a treatment of endotension and aneurysm sac enlargement. J Vasc Surg. 2007;45:395–398.
  6. Arko FR, Davis C, Smith ST, et al. Dynamic geometry and wall thickness of the aortic neck of abdominal aortic aneurysms with intravascular ultrasonography. J Vasc Surg. 2007;46(5):891–896.
  7. Timaran CH, Rosero EB, Valentine RJ, Modrall JG, Smith ST, Clagett GP. Accuracy and utility of three-dimensional contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography in planning carotid stenting. J Vasc Surg. 2007;46(2):257–264.
  8. Dineen S, Smith ST, Arko FR. Successful percutaneous angioplasty and stenting of the radial artery in a patient with chronic upper extremity ischemia and digital gangrene. J Endovasc Ther. 2007;14(3):426–428.
  9. Smith ST, Clagett GP. Femoral vein harvest for vascular reconstructions: pitfalls and tips for success.
sherri P.
3 days ago
Very positive experience from checking in to exam room and checkout
Very impressed with Dr. Smith
Charlotte B.
2 weeks ago
I was very impressed with the PA for Dr Smith. She was extremely knowledgeable & very prepared for my visit. Dr Smith is very knowledgeable also & very nice.
Susan B.
2 weeks ago
DOCTOR SMITH IS GREAT.THE STAFF IS GREAT.I'M REALLY COMFORTABLE THERE
Sheila L.
3 weeks ago
Staff is always professional, helpful, and friendly
Dr. Smith is excellent I would recommend him to all family members and friends.
Erwin K.
3 weeks ago
Dr.Smith and his assistant Dr's have been great and will continue to use. Anyone in the office has been great.
Debbie B.
5 months ago
Dr. Smith & Dr. Bear are both great doctors and I value their knowledge, and the kindness that they have both shown towards me, after being referred to them by Optima Medical in Cottonwood.
Els A.
3 years ago
Thanks to Dr Smith my husband is no longer popping pain killers like candy. I wish that someone had educated us as to when to go to a vascular surgeon. Although other specialties are allowed to do the supposedly same surgery they do not have the same training and cannot provide the same pain relief. We've been cussing Doctors for years cause of my husband's daily pain. Doctors, do the right thing for your patients and your profession - send the patient to a vascular surgeon like Dr Smith. Don't be greedy.
Christ Temple C.
3 years ago
A new patient with extreme leg pain. Dr Smith squeezed me in. Short wait in lobby. Although he determined that my pain wasn’t caused by my veins the whole experience was excellent care and communication.
Janice L.
4 years ago
Friendly staff. Reasonable wait times. Dr. Smith took time to explain my condition and treatment.
Mary P.
4 years ago
Dr Stephen Smith is an awesome Dr and fantastic Surgeon I had Carotid Artery surgery 2/1/2 weeks ago and feel great. He's a very knowledgeable, smart man, very professional. Anyway I would for sure recommend him , your in good hands👏. And the office staff couldn't be nicer.