Brian R. Smith MD

Bariatric Surgery, Surgical Oncology (Other than Breast), Minimally Invasive Surgery

Professor of Surgery & General Surgery Residency Program Director. Co-Director, Minimally Invasive Fellowship. Chief of Surgery, VA Long Beach Healthcare System

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3800 W Chapman Avesuite 6200Orange, CA 92868
Phone+1 714-456-8160

Summary

Dr. Brian Smith is a general surgeon based in Orange, CA, with subspecialties in bariatric surgery, surgical oncology, and minimally invasive surgery. He completed his fellowship in advanced GI minimally invasive surgery at the University of California (Irvine) and his surgery residency at Los Angeles County-Harbor-UCLA Medical Center. Dr. Smith has been a professor at UCI Health since 2008. His clinical expertise includes gastroesophageal reflux, hernias, endoscopy procedures, and cancers of the esophagus and stomach. His research contributions are published in multiple reputable journals including The Journal of Surgical Research, Annals of Surgical Oncology, and the Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery. Dr. Smith has participated in a clinical trial concerning treatments for GERD symptoms and holds numerous honors, such as the Physician of Excellence award by the Orange County Medical Association and the Golden Scalpel Award for Medical Student Teaching from UC Irvine.

Education & Training

University of California (Irvine)Fellowship, Advanced GI Minimally Invasive Surgery, 2007 - 2008
Los Angeles County-Harbor-UCLA Medical CenterResidency, Surgery, 2001 - 2007
New York Medical CollegeCertification, Fifth Pathway Medicine, Certificate, 2000 - 2000
Universidad Autonoma de GuadalajaraClass of 1999

Certifications & Licensure

CA State Medical License 2002 - 2026
American Board of Surgery Surgery

Awards, Honors, & Recognition

Physician of Excellence Orange County Medical Association, 2012-2019
CMS Meaningful Use Stage 1 Certification Sunrise Ambulatory Care, Allscripts, 2015-2017
CMS Meaningful Use Stage 2 Certification Sunrise Ambulatory Care, Allscripts, 2015-2017

Clinical Trials

A Randomized Trial of Medical and Surgical Treatments for Patients With GERD Symptoms That Are Refractory to Proton Pump Inhibitors Start of enrollment: 2012 Aug 13
Completed
Phase 3

Publications & Presentations

PubMed

Association of Obesity With Respiratory Complications in Trauma Patients Undergoing Emergent Surgery.
Jordan Slaton, Jeffry Nahmias, Negaar Aryan, Michael Lekawa, Michael P O'Leary
The Journal of Surgical Research. 2026-06-01
The association between adherence to elective nodal volume guidelines and reduced distant metastasis in esophageal and gastroesophageal junction cancer: a retrospectiv...
Jared Lyons, Garrett Harada, John Yeakel, Farshid Dayyani, Brian Smith
Journal of Gastrointestinal Oncology. 2026-02-28
Underutilization of Staging Laparoscopy Prior to Neoadjuvant Systemic Therapy in Gastric Cancer.
Arsha Ostowari, Kathryn T Chen, Bima J Hasjim, Stefania Montero, Shaina Sedighim
Annals of Surgical Oncology. 2026-02-01

Journal Articles

USMLE Step 1 Scoring System Change to Pass/Fail—an Opportunity for Change
Angela L Neville, Brian R Smith, JAMA Surgery
Association of Compensation from the Surgical and Medical Device Industry to Physicians and Self-Declared Conflict of Interest
Alessio Pigazzi, Joseph C Carmichael, Mehraneh D Jafari, Helene Nepomuceno, Brian R Smith, Steven Mills, JAMA

Authored Content

Risk Factors for Gastrointestinal Leak After Bariatric Surgery: MBASQIP AnalysisMarch 2018
Risk Factors for Gastrointestinal Leak After Bariatric Surgery: MBASQIP AnalysisMarch 2018
Risk Factors for Gastrointestinal Leak After Bariatric Surgery: MBSAQIP AnalysisMarch 2018