Kris Smith, MD

An honors student at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, Kris Smith, MD, went on to graduate first in his class at the University of Nevada Reno School of Medicine receiving the outstanding student award in neuroscience, basic science research, and psychiatry.

He completed a general surgery internship at the Phoenix Integrated Surgical Residency Program at Banner University Medical Center and completed his neurosurgical residency at Barrow Neurological Institute at Dignity Health St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center in Phoenix. Dr. Kris Smith trained in Gamma Knife radiosurgery at the University of Pittsburgh and at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Sweden, where stereotactic radiosurgery was originally developed. He also studied under L. Dade Lunsford, MD, at the University of Pittsburgh.

Dr. Smith specializes in the comprehensive management of brain tumors and the surgical treatment of epilepsy. He uses advanced techniques including stereotaxy, endoscopy, computer-image guidance, brain mapping, deep brain stimulation (DBS), depth and grid electrodes, and Gamma Knife radiosurgery. He emphasizes minimally invasive surgical approaches, which decrease patient discomfort and the risks of complications. However, he strongly believes in aggressive surgical resection of tumors and epileptogenic lesions. Dr. Smith is certified by the American Board of Neurological Surgery.