Michael L. Smith, MD

From a young age, I was interested in and had an aptitude for science. I considered a career in scientific research, but ultimately chose medicine because I wanted to work with people and help improve their lives. I have always been drawn to structural challenges—as a child, I helped my father with house and car repairs, and later I worked as a bike mechanic—so surgery was a natural calling. To me, neurosurgery is the most interesting type of surgery, and it allows me to greatly enhance the lives of my patients.

At NYU Langone’s Spine Center, I treat adults who have all types of spinal conditions, from the skull down to the pelvis. I have particular expertise in providing care to adults who have complex spinal deformities including scoliosis, kyphosis (also known as flat-back syndrome), and dropped-head syndrome.

Many of my patients have common degenerative spinal conditions, such as degenerative disc disease, degenerative joint disease, spinal stenosis, herniated discs, and spondylolisthesis. At our Spine Center, experts in neurology, pain management, and physiatry are often able to provide people with nonsurgical treatments. When these less-invasive approaches are not sufficient to manage the patient’s symptoms, we discuss potential surgical options. Spinal tumors and spinal traumas can also sometimes be managed without surgery but require a spinal neurosurgeon’s evaluation. Our aim is to provide treatments that meet the individual needs of each patient.

At NYU Langone, we take a collaborative approach to medicine. When I joined the institution in 2009, I reached out to my new colleagues in orthopedic spine surgery, and I have worked closely with them ever since. We often perform co-surgery together and conduct research jointly in our neurosurgery–orthopedics research group. I also partner with specialists in plastic surgery and otolaryngology when patients need their expertise for a particular spinal problem. Our team approach improves workflow, efficiency, and patient safety.

I've been recognized in Super Doctors as a “New York Super Doctor,” and in 2014 was named one of “35 Spine Surgeons Under 40 to Know” in Becker’s Spine Review.