Arien J Smith
Director of Neurosurgery
Arien J Smith, MD, an esteemed American neurosurgeon, leads the Brain and Spine Institute of New York and New Jersey. Originally from Seoul, South Korea, he has built a distinguished career specializing in complex spine surgeries for both adults and children. With over two decades of experience, he is board-certified by both the Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS) and Neurological Surgeons (FAANS). His professional affiliations include Hackensack University Medical Center, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospitals, Mount Sinai West, and Kings County Hospital Center.
Dr. Smith is highly regarded for his expertise in managing conditions like back pain from degenerative issues, traumatic spine fractures, and structural deformities such as scoliosis and spinal stenosis. Additionally, he addresses disk herniation, often resulting from repetitive motions or injuries in sports or vehicle accidents.
Education
Arien J Smith's academic journey began at the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics, a selective residential high school. He furthered his education at the University of Rochester, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Biology and Spanish in 1998. His academic prowess continued at Yale University Medical School, where he completed his Doctorate of Medicine in 2003. During his time at Yale, he received the Howard Hughes Medical Institute Research Fellowship and collaborated on significant research, including the publication of a groundbreaking paper on cerebral energetics in 2002.
Dr. Smith completed his surgical internship and postdoctoral residency at Mount Sinai Medical Center's Department of Neurosurgery, honing his skills in brain and spine surgical procedures. His training concluded with a fellowship in orthopedic complex spine surgery at Beth Israel Medical Center in New York.
Career
In his illustrious career, Arien J. Smith established the Brain and Spine Institute of NY and NJ, focusing on tailored patient care and comprehensive symptom diagnosis. He also serves as an attending neurosurgeon at Kings County Hospital Center in Brooklyn, NY, where he mentors interns and resident physicians, ensuring the next generation of medical professionals receives top-notch training.
Prior to his current roles, Dr. Smith worked extensively as a locum tenens physician, gaining diverse experiences across various healthcare settings, which enriched his medical practice.
Certifications
Dr. Smith is licensed in both New Jersey and New York and has earned several prestigious medical certifications, including:
- National Board of Medical Examiners
- American Board of Neurological Surgery
- Approved MAF Physician for the NFL Concussion Program
Professional Societies
Arien Smith's professional affiliations underline his dedication to excellence in neurosurgery and patient care:
- Member of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons
- Fellow of the American Association of Neurological Surgery
- Fellow of the American College of Surgeons
Publications and Abstracts
Dr. Smith has contributed extensively to neurosurgical literature, with notable publications including:
- "Cerebral Energetics and Spiking Frequency: The Neuropsychological Basis of fMRI"
- Collaborative research on quantitative fMRI and multimodal MRI and MRS measurements in rat brains
- Studies on the suppression of neurophysiological responses to somatosensory stimulation
- Research on regional cerebral blood flow during electroconvulsive therapy-induced seizures
- Investigations into the effects of substances like alcohol on worsening intracranial hemorrhage following head trauma
Presentations at significant meetings like the Society for Neuroscience and the American Association of Neurological Surgeons annual meetings further highlight Arien J Smith's active engagement in advancing medical knowledge and practices in neurosurgery.
