About Dr. Craig Smith,
Heart Valve Surgeon

"Dr Craig Smith is the best of the best! I went to him to get a third aortic valve replacement. I was nervous about going for a third open heart surgery. The prior surgeries were done in New Jersey by another surgeon 2005 and 2012. Both were tissue valve replacements. In 2012, I required sternum removal and plating which added to the complexity of the surgery by Dr Smith.

After 10 hours on the operating room table, I ended up needing surgery on three heart valves. Dr Smith is god sent! Moreover, Dr Smith’s bedside manners are amazing. I was made to feel as if I was a member of his family. His professionalism is unmatched and is by far the best I’ve ever experienced. I was in and out of the hospital in only nine days!

I highly recommend Dr Smith!

Two years latter I feel great. To see me, you’d never know what I’ve been through. Thanks to Dr Smith I have a whole new lease on life!"

-- Francis Rempusheski, Aortic Valve, Mitral Valve, Tricuspid Valve, Valve Repair, Valve Replacement, 03/02/2020

"Dr. Smith was very kind and very professional. He is not a big smiler, but his kind heart revealed itself to me in reading his COVID-19 daily status reports that he wrote at Columbia New York Presbyterian. Dr. Smith was also heart surgeon for Bill Clinton and Barbara Walters.

My open heart surgery happened on a Wednesday afternoon and when I awakened I actually asked the nurse when my surgery would be! She said that it was 2 days before and I had no idea! I was jubilant! I had 2 replacements and one repair, so I had done some serious research before picking a surgeon."

-- Kathleen Conklin, Aortic Valve, Pulmonary Valve, Mitral Valve, Valve Repair, Valve Replacement, Maze Procedure, 06/05/2019

"I did months of research to find my heart surgeon because I knew that I needed at least 2 valve replacements in the same surgery.

Dr. Smith's name rose right to the top, and afternoon speaking with his wonderful assistant, Dana Reed, I knew he was the one!

I went to New York City to meet with him and became even more confident after the consultation. He said that I would need the aortic and mitral valve replaced and that he could probably do a repair on the tricuspid.

Two weeks later, I was admitted for surgery. Many people have a hard time believing this, but when I awakened from surgery I thought that I was still waiting for it! I asked the nurse when it would be and she said "Two days ago!" This was a shock and a wonderful surprise! I was elated to be alive and not even feel as though I had been through a surgery. A week later, after great nursing care, I was driven home where I recovered very well. I had almost no pain, except when sneezing, and only took Tylenol.

Dr. Smith is terrific and he has a great team at Columbia University Medical Center / NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital!"

-- Kathleen Conklin, Aortic Valve, Mitral Valve, Tricuspid Valve, Valve Repair, Valve Replacement, 06/05/2019

"Dr. Smith is my HERO. Woke with extremely little to no pain; haven't taken anything stronger than Tylenol. He came everyday, he's wonderful, outstanding surgeon. I'm two weeks post-op and although still tired, feel very good. He's the best of the best!!!"

-- Leslie Terjesen, Aortic Valve, Valve Replacement, Median Sternotomy, 02/19/2019

"Great surgeon answered any questions directly just felt completely confident he was the right one "

-- Maryann Conklin, Aortic Valve, Valve Replacement, 12/21/2017

"Dr. Smith is a professional and knowledgeable doctor, explaining the procedure and what is to be expected. Surgery was with no complications thanks to a very experienced doctor. Thank You Doctor Smith. "

-- edward warshawer, Mitral Valve, Valve Replacement, 03/14/2017

"This man is amazing. He has a calming nature and is extremely professional. Surgery was performed at Columbia Presbyterian in NYC. My surgeon visited me before surgery and explained the procedure. I would recommend him highly as he is simply the best!"

-- Linda Tamburrino, Aortic Valve, Valve Replacement, Median Sternotomy, 02/22/2017

"Fantastic. Calm, direct demeanor. Reassuring. Patient. And a fantastic surgeon. I was told by other surgeons that this aortic valve replacement would be "a problem" because I'd had mediastinal radiation as a teenager (in fact that's why I needed to replace my stenotic aortic valve). It was NOT a problem in Dr. Smith's skilled hands."

-- Barbara O'Sullivan, Aortic Valve, Valve Replacement, 02/16/2016

"My valve repair was successful. However, I developed complications and eight days later I was rushed back into surgery. Dr. Craig Smith and his team saved my life. "

-- Roy Cohen, Mitral Valve, Valve Repair, 09/21/2011

"Dr. Craig Smith is the 'Man' in New York. Possibly the best there is on this planet. I'm 64 years of age, 18 months from surgery and I play tennis 7 day's a week -- both singles and doubles. I run on a treadmill and work out using free weights. I'm alive, I'm healthy and living my life. Without Dr. Smith, I would be on Boot Hill. GOD Bless this man for all he did for me, and countless others. "

-- Joseph P. Maniscalco, Aortic Valve, Valve Replacement, Median Sternotomy, 07/12/2011

"The operation itself and recovery was flawless, but what distinguishes Dr. Craig Smith is his responsiveness. For example, after I was discharged I felt very nauseous from the anesthesia. When I could not take it anymore, I called his office on Sunday evening. He called back within 15 minutes and re-assured me, but was also ready to see me that evening should I choose. On another occasion, I was not sure whether the chest pain was from a pulled muscle or had something to do with the heart. Dr. Smith again responded within minutes. (It was a strained muscle). All in all, the operation was extremely successful (this is of course the important part) but what makes Dr. Smith special, is his responsiveness to his patients."

-- Stephan Taranko, Mitral Valve, Valve Repair, Maze Procedure, 02/22/2010

"Dr. Smith is an excellent surgeon and his staff is highly trained and competent."

-- Anne McCormick, Aortic Valve, Valve Replacement, 09/29/2009

"Fantastic surgeon, outstanding care at Colombia Presbyterian. Arrhythmia corrected one month later at Good Sam Hospital in Suffern, NY. Hiking two months after. "

-- Bill Cahill, Mitral Valve, Valve Repair, Maze Procedure, 04/29/2009

"I was very fortunate to have Dr. Craig Smith as my surgeon. He was very thoughtful and patient in explaining everything to me, very reassuring in his manner and quiet demeanor and very attentive. "

-- M Lavin, Mitral Valve, Valve Repair, 12/08/2008

"Experience with the surgeon was terrific. He was very professional in manner and was clear about explaining the operation, risks, decisions that had to be made and had a great team for followup. Very happy with the result"

-- Bob Pratt, Aortic Valve, Valve Repair, Root Replacement, 07/28/2008

"Technically good. Bland bedside manner. But, happy with results"

-- Gary Poltorak, Aortic Valve, Valve Replacement, 01/29/2008

"Dr. Smith is an outstanding surgeon both technically and at the bedside. I was very happy with the results of the surgery."

-- Darrell Yamashiro, Aortic Valve, Valve Replacement, Median Sternotomy, Root Replacement, 12/11/2007

"Dr Smith did my aortic valve and heart bypass surgery almost 19 years ago. I'm going on 92. I'm so glad he did the operation. I think he's the best surgeon on this planet. I'm still very active & my heart keeps pumping. Bless Dr. Smith & his family."

-- Charles Moser, Aortic Valve, 06/19/1996