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Darin Smith
Patient Rating
3.9 / 5 (Based on 70 Reviews)

Darin Smith, MD

Specialty: Neurosurgery

Schedule an Appointment

To schedule an appointment with Darin Smith, please call 319-221-8966

Areas of Interest

Dr. Smith specializes in both invasive and minimally invasive spinal surgeries. Additional interests include brain tumor evaluation and resection, craniotomy for tumors and aneurysms, ventriculoperitoneal shunts, brain aneurysm evaluation, SEPS twist drill subdural hematoma drainage, Agee endoscopic carpal tunnel surgery, ulnar nerve surgery and transsphenoidal for pituitary tumors.

Education and Training

Education

University of Iowa College of Medicine, Doctor of Medicine

Residency

University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Neurosurgery

Professional Memberships

  • Fellow of the American Associates of Neurological Surgery
  • Congress of Neurological Surgeons

Honors, Awards, etc.

Alpha Omega Alpha, honor medical society, University of Iowa College of Medicine

Certifications

Board Certified in Neurological Surgery

Personal Interests

Dr. Smith and his wife, Suehila, enjoy taking care of their six children. They are interested in general health and nutrition and developing a proper diet for optimal health.

Additional Information

After graduation from the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine in 1993, Dr. Smith did a six-year residency in Neurological Surgery at University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics.

He specializes in minimally invasive spine surgery that permits more rapid healing, shorter hospital stays and low complication rates, resulting in dramatic pain reduction. Dr. Smith performs "the right surgery for the right reasons" to achieve the best possible outcome.

Patient Reviews

5.0
February 09, 2020
he always shows me the MRI and explains what he sees and what can be done, or what shouldn't be done
0.5
December 29, 2019
He could not give me an answer for any of my questions, his response was "I don't know". He didn't exam me, he only tested my reflexes. I felt like he completely blew me off from the minute he walked in the room. I wouldn't let him be my doctor if he was the only one available.
2.25
October 22, 2019
Doctor Smith was courteous but he took maybe 5 to 10 minutes to talk but seemed in a hurry to leave the room. Would have liked to been educated a little bit more about my condition
2.5
August 19, 2019
He was not knowledgable about neurological issues
5.0
August 18, 2019
Dr. Smith has been my husband's spine surgeon since 2014. He has always gone above and beyond to help manage his back pain.
5.0
August 16, 2019
EVERYYONE WAS VERY THOROUGH AND EXPLAINED WHAT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN IN LANGUAGE EASY TO UNDERSTAND. A+
2.5
July 26, 2019
based treatment on a recent symposium. Never talked to me about symptom changes. Felt rushed to get in and out
1.56
July 04, 2019
He said I just needed a shot in my back to help the pain and tell them where the pain was coming from but did not explain the reason for not performing surgery. When I left, I was a little upset about not having surgery. When the pain clinic called to set up an appointment for the shot, I was told why the shot was a better option.
4.38
June 20, 2019
good
1.56
April 26, 2019
Dr. Smith may be a good surgeon, but he is a poor communicator, afraid to look you in the eye; doesn't provide the patient with any info about what to expect after surgery, such as what sensations or pains are normal and which will require a call to the doctor. There was no communication about any of this. For such a serious surgery, it should be a requirement that this type of information be shared with patients, even if the info is in a printed flyer (since the doctor doesn't seem very talkative)
3.44
April 19, 2019
1st visit, I thought he was upfront and helpful, he told me he wasn't sure I was good candidate for surgery, maybe 70% chance I would get relief. 2nd visit, was all about how this was an easy, normal often used procedure with good results. when I asked what changed in 2 weeks, he talked around, ultimately in the end he agreed with me i should only due surgery as last resort.
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Provider's Contact Information

Mercy Neurosurgery Clinic

Locations