Hugh F. Smisson III, MD

Dr. Hugh Smisson specializes in minimally invasive treatment of the spinal cord, including cervical, thoracic and lumbar disease. As such, he has developed techniques and created appliances for his areas of expertise including a spinal fusion device for the cervical spine as well as a minimally invasive spinal fusion device for the lumbar spine both of which are currently used throughout the United States and Europe. In addition, Dr. Smisson holds over 50 U.S. and international patents for a variety of medical appliances used not only in spinal fusion technology, but also in fluid infusion, body temperature warming, and sternal stabilization. Dr. Smisson has taught his pioneering techniques to many other medical professionals in the United States, Europe and South America. As knowledge of his neurosurgical advancements spreads, he is much in demand as a speaker.

A Macon native, Dr. Smisson received his undergraduate degree in Business Administration from Emory University in 1979. Two years later, he entered the Medical College of Georgia where he received his Doctorate of Medicine in 1986. After completing an internship in General Surgery at the Medical College of Georgia in 1987, he entered a neurosurgical residence there, which he completed in 1992 before coming back to Macon to start his practice at Georgia Neurosurgical Institute. Dr. Smisson was board certified in Neurological Surgery in 1995 and became a Fellow in the American College of Surgeons in 1998. He also served as a surgical Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Navy Reserve.