Paul R. Smith, DPM

I joined the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at DHMC because of its reputation for patient-centered care with an emphasis on shared decision making and attention to patient-reported outcomes. I truly believe that DHMC places patient needs above all other priorities and this matches my philosophy of care perfectly. By utilizing proven treatment methods and listening carefully to the individual needs of my patients, my primary goal is to always provide compassionate and comprehensive care. I try to keep patients informed about their options so they can participate in making their own decisions, and to treat every patient as if they are part of my family. As a specialist in shoulder surgery, I perform a wide range of surgical procedures for the shoulder, ranging from common procedures to very complex reconstructive procedures. My surgical practice features arthroscopic rotator cuff repair, primary and revision shoulder replacement surgery including reverse total shoulder replacement, repair of shoulder instability, reconstruction of shoulders that have had previous surgery, shoulder arthroscopy and treatment of fractures around the shoulder. I am fortunate to work with an excellent team of providers who also specialize in shoulder care and work with me on a daily basis to provide comprehensive care of all shoulder problems. This includes a dedicated group of physician assistants, nurse practitioners, registered nurses, physical therapists and athletic trainers. Most of the time, our team can improve pain and dysfunction of the shoulder without surgery, which is always our goal whenever possible. Sometimes, the best treatment to restore function and decrease pain is through surgery. I practice evidence-based medicine, using the latest research and up-to-date thinking to guide care of my patients. The other side of my professional life is my desire to contribute to our understanding of shoulder conditions through my own research. I spend a great deal of my free time thinking about shoulder problems and coming up with ways that we can improve our knowledge through scientific research. I have published many papers and textbook chapters on a wide range of shoulder conditions, including shoulder replacement, shoulder fractures, rotator cuff repair, labral tears, shoulder instability and the cost-effectiveness of shoulder surgery.

I see diagnosing and managing liver disease as an opportunity to prevent serious illness in the future. Most liver conditions initially have no symptoms, but can be treated and potentially reversed at this early stage. I want my patients to know that our job is to understand and treat their condition before it gets to a point of causing symptoms and possibly can’t be reversed. Our team of hepatologists, associate providers and nurses work together to treat each patient as an individual to achieve these goals.

As a child psychologist, my goal is to provide children and families with evidence-based treatments in the context of a strong therapeutic relationship. My work is aimed at providing services to a diverse group of patients and help them address common behavior problems that occur in children and adolescents. In my therapeutic work, I strive to treat each child or teen as an individual and match their specific challenges and strengths with a treatment approach capable of improving their quality of life and supporting a successful future. I provide behavioral therapy and cognitive-behavioral therapy to children and adolescents ages 2-19. My clinical interests are foremost in the treatment of aggressive, defiant, and disruptive behaviors. Many of my clients present with challenges related to diagnoses of ADHD, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, or Conduct Disorder. I have a deep interest in the treatment of sleep disorders and elimination disorders (e.g., bedwetting, difficulties toilet training). I also welcome referrals for children and teens seeking help for anxiety, OCD, depression, somatic distress, and family conflict. In addition to my clinical work, I also conduct research and provide training to developing therapists. My research interests are in the areas of bullying prevention and the development of treatments for children with aggressive and defiant behaviors that do not have access to traditional mental healthcare. I currently serve as the Lead Supervisor of Child Psychotherapy Training for both the Psychiatry and Psychology trainees within the Department of Psychiatry. I enjoy sharing my knowledge and learning from our remarkable trainees.