Kris Smith, MD, is a neurosurgeon at Barrow Neurological Institute. He is the director of the Stereotactic-Functional-Epilepsy Fellowship Program, the Hypothalamic Hamartoma Program, and the Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus Program. He also serves as co-director of neurosurgical oncology and radiology services, including Gamma Knife, CyberKnife, and Zap-X.

Dr. Smith’s expertise includes the comprehensive management of brain tumors and the surgical treatment of medically refractory epilepsy. He strives to balance minimally invasive techniques with the extent of resection needed to optimize patient outcomes. Dr. Smith is a firm believer in patient education and a holistic approach to treatment, including the use of precision medicine and a focus on quality of life.

Dr. Smith earned his bachelor’s degree from Brigham Young University and his medical degree from the University of Nevada—Reno School of Medicine. He completed a general surgery internship at the Phoenix Integrated Surgical Residency Program at Banner—University Medical Center Phoenix and his neurosurgery residency at Barrow. Dr. Smith trained in Gamma Knife radiosurgery at the University of Pittsburg and at Karolinska Institute in Stockhold, Sweden, where stereotactic radiosurgery was originally developed. He completed an enfolded fellowship in epilepsy surgery at the Cleveland Clinic.

As a medical student, Dr. Smith published his first paper on a new model of epilepsy and the novel findings of the importance of the GABA-B receptor. He presented his work at an international pharmacology meeting. These were the first of hundreds of publications and presentations on various topics in neurosurgery throughout his career.

Please call (602) 406-3181 to request an appointment with Dr. Smith.