Brigitte K. Smith

Brigitte K. Smith, MD, MHPE, FACS, FSVS

Languages spoken: English

Academic Information

Departments Primary - Surgery

Divisions: Vascular Surgery

Research Interests

  • Development of Subspecialty Training Paradigms in Graduate Surgical Education
  • Integrated Vascular Surgery Residency Program Development
  • Assessment of Clinical Judgment in Surgery
  • Provision of Smoking Cessation Resources to Vascular Surgery Inpatients

Brigitte Smith, M.D. is an Associate Professor of Vascular Surgery, Program Director for the Vascular Surgery Fellowship and Vice Chair of Education for the Department of Surgery. She grew up in Wisconsin and received her Doctor of Medicine from the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health in Madison, Wisconsin. She continued her training there as the first resident in the Integrated Vascular Surgery Residency Program. During her residency she developed an interest in surgical education and completed a Surgical Education Research Fellowship through the Association for Surgical Education. She has continued to focus her academic interests on surgical education and is currently enrolled in the Master of Health Professions Education program at the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Dr. Smith has a broad clinical practice focused on the open and endovascular treatment of aortic, visceral, carotid, and lower extremity arterial disease, dialysis vascular access, and open and catheter-based treatment of lower extremity venous insufficiency. She has specific clinical interests in pelvic venous insufficiency, Nutcracker syndrome and a variety of arterial insufficiency syndromes that affect high-performance athletes. In addition to clinical responsibilities, Dr. Smith also leads the Section of Education, including surgical education research efforts in the University of Utah's Department of Surgery. Her research is focused on improving clinical assessment of surgical competence and the ability of current assessment tools to predict future performance in clinical practice. Her research has been supported by collaborations with the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education and Association for Surgical Education.

Research Statement

Dr. Smith is interested in:

1. Utilization of team-based experiential learning to teach value-driven health care to residents and medical students

2. Development of sub-specialty traing paradigms in graduate surgical education

3. Integrated vascular surgery residency program development and assessment.

Education History

Graduate Training University of Illinois at Chicago
 MHPE
Research Fellow Association for Surgical Education
 Research Fellow
Residency University of Wisconsin Hospital & Clinics
 Resident
Internship University of Wisconsin Hospital & Clinics
 Intern
Professional Medical University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health
 MD
Undergraduate University of Wisconsin – La Crosse
 BS

Selected Publications

Journal Article

  1. Chow CJ, Richards BF, Babcock C, Christensen T, Buchmann L, Smith BK, Weber T, Lamb S (Accepted March 1, 2022). Two sides of the same coin: Factors that can make or break clinical learning encounters. (Epub ahead of print) Global Surgical Education - Journal of the Association for Surgical Education.
  2. Smith BK, Yamazaki K, Tekian A, Holmboe E, Hamstra SJ, Mitchell EL, Park YS (Accepted September 22, 2021). The predictive probability value of the ACGME Vascular Surgery Milestones. (Epub ahead of print) Ann Surg.
  3. Christiansen J, Holeman T, Peistetter J, Katz M, Slager S, Murphy R, Smith BK (Manuscript in Preparation). Faculty attitudes toward "value" influence the learning environment for teaching and delivering high value care. (Epub ahead of print) Acad Med.
  4. Smith BK, Yamazaki K, Luman A, Holmboe E, Mitchell EL, Park YS, Hamstra SJ (Submitted May 13, 2022). Predicting performance at graduation from early ACGME Milestone ratings: Longitudinal learning analytics in professionalism and communication in vascular surgery. . (Epub ahead of print) J Surg Educ.
  5. Johnson A, Smith BK (Submitted February 1, 2022). Vascular surgery trainee involvement and education in QI: A health system imperative. (Epub ahead of print) J Vasc Surg Cases Innov Tech.
  6. Smith BK, Mitchell EL (Manuscript in Preparation). Vascular Surgery Milestones 2.0. (Epub ahead of print) J Vasc Surg.
  7. He J, Smith BK, Griffin CL, Kraiss L, Sarfati M, Brooke BS (Manuscript in Preparation). High-intensity statin therapy reduces risk of amputation and reintervention among patients undergoing lower extremity bypass for chronic limb threatening ischemia. (Epub ahead of print) J Vasc Surg.
  8. Smith BK, Hamstra SJ, Yamazaki K, Tekian A, Brooke BS, Holmboe E, Mitchell EL, Park YS (Submitted with revisions April 30, 2022). Alignment of ACGME competencies with surgical outcomes in the Vascular Quality Initiative registry. (Epub ahead of print) J Vasc Surg.
  9. DeAngelo MM, Holeman TA, Peacock J, Smith BK, Brooke BS (Submitted March 16, 2022). Impact of frailty on long-term functional decline following vascular surgery. (Epub ahead of print) J Vasc Surg.
  10. Moore E, Wohlauer MV, Dorosh J, Kabeil M, Malgor RD, OBanion LA, Smith BK, Lin JC On behalf of the Vascular Surgery COVID-19 Collaborative (Submitted May 15, 2022). Impact of COVID-19 on patients undergoing scheduled operations for venous disease. (Epub ahead of print) J Vasc Surg.
  11. Smith BK, Yamazaki K, Tekian A, Brooke BS, Mitchell EL, Holmboe E, Park YS, Hamstra SJ (Manuscript in Preparation). ACGME Milestones predict patient care outcomes after aortic aneurysm repair. (Epub ahead of print) N Engl J Med.
  12. Dorsey C, Paz M, McKenzie N, Bath J, Kabbani L, Ochoa Chaar CI, Kokkosis A, shames M, Malinowski M, Aulivola B, Smith BK, Kempe K, Coleman D (Submitted). The value of a vascular surgery curriculum for clinical medical students: Results of a national survey of non-vascular educators. (Epub ahead of print) Global Surgical Education - Journal of the Association for Surgical Education.
  13. Sorour AA, Kirksey L, Caputo FJ, Dehaini H, Rowe V, Colglaizer JJ, Smith BK, Shames ML, Lyden SP (Manuscript in Preparation). Vascular Surgery Integrated Residency Selection Criteria: National Program Director Survey. (Epub ahead of print) J Vasc Surg.
  14. Fereydooni A, Fisher AT, Mullis DM, Smith BK, Sgroi MD (Manuscript in Preparation). Impact of integrated vascular residency training pathway and professional development time on career choice and research productivity. (Epub ahead of print) J Vasc Surg.
  15. Cox ML, Weaver ML, Chen X, Coleman D, Sgroi MD, George BC, Smith BK (Manuscript in Preparation). Implementation of a workplace-based assessment tool among vascular surgery residency and fellowship programs. (Epub ahead of print) J Vasc Surg.
  16. Williamson AJH, Jensen RM, Smith BK (2022). Educational Safety for the Surgical Learner. J Surg Educ. (Read full article)
  17. Smith BK, Wilson TW, Perler BA, Allen CM, Presson AP, Brooke BS (2022). Does training paradigm matter? A comparison of outcomes of frail patients treated by integrated vascular surgery residency and vascular surgery fellowship-trained surgeons. Am J Surg, 224, 881-887. (Read full article)
  18. Johnson CE, Smith BK (2022). My Brother's/Sister's Keeper: Collective responsibility for the professional identity of surgeons. Am J Surg, 224(1 Pt B), 282-283. (Read full article)
  19. Neuberger K, McCrary H, Beckstrom J, Darelli-Anderson AM, Farrell TW, Brooke BS, Smith BK, Brownson KE (2022). Improving healthcare transitions of surgical care through an interprofessional education elective. J Am Geriatr Soc, 70(3), E11-E14. (Read full article)
  20. DeAngelo M, Hakim A, Darelli-Anderson AM, Harding JP, Smith BK (2021). Medical Student Perspectives on Choosing a Career in Vascular Surgery. Ann Vasc Surg. (Read full article)
  21. Shaw RD, Eid MA, Bleicher J, Broecker J, Caesar B, Chin R, Meyer C, Mitsakos A, Stolarksi AE, Theiss L, Smith BK, Ivatury SJ (2021). Current Barriers in Robotic Surgery Training for General Surgery Residents. J Surg Educ, 79, 606-613. (Read full article)
  22. Lynch KA Jr, Brown RF, Steinhagen E, Jacobson DL, Malhotra N, Hendershot K, Brownson KE, Bialowas C, Abdou H, Smith BK, Miller M (2021). Transition from trainee to educator in the operating room: A needs assessment and framework to support junior faculty. Am J Surg, 223, 1112-1119. (Read full article)
  23. Smith BK, Yamazaki K, Tekian A, Holmboe E, Hamstra SJ, Mitchell EL, Park YS (2021). The Use of Learning Analytics to Enable Detection of Underperforming Trainees: An Analysis of National Vascular Surgery Trainee ACGME Milestones Assessment Data. Ann Surg. (Read full article)
  24. Glasgow RE, Mulvihill SJ, Pettit JC, Young J, Smith BK, Vargo DJ, Ray DM, Finlayson SRG (2021). Value Analysis of Methods of Inguinal Hernia Repair. Ann Surg, 274(4), 572-580. (Read full article)
  25. Sarfati MR, Griffin CL, Kraiss LW, Smith BK, Brooke BS (2020). Vascular surgery triage during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. J Vasc Surg, 73(6), 1858-1868. (Read full article)
  26. Smith BK, Rectenwald J, Yudkowsky R, Hirshfield LE (2022). A Framework for Understanding the Association Between Training Paradigm and Trainee Preparedness for Independent Surgical Practice. JAMA Surg, 156(6), 535-540. (Read full article)
  27. McCrary HC, Colbert-Getz JM, Poss WB, Smith BK (2021). A systematic review of the relationship between in-training examination scores and specialty board examination scores. J Grad Med Educ, 13(1), 43-57.
  28. Jacobs AC, Malhotra NR, Purnell SM, Lee YJ, Wolf L, Millar MM, Cartwright PC, Smith BK (2020). Quality improvement education in surgical specialty training: A comparison of Vascular Surgery resident and Urology Resident experiences and attitudes. Am J Surg, 221(5), 993-999. (Read full article)
  29. Smith BK, Sheahan MG 3rd, Sgroi M, Weis T, Singh N, Rigberg D, Coleman DM, Lee JT, Shames ML, Mitchell EL (2021). Addressing Contemporary Management of Vascular Trauma: Optimization of Patient Care Through Collaboration. Ann Surg, 273(5), e171-e172. (Read full article)
  30. Smith BK, Luman A, Yamazaki K, Tekian A, Hamstra SJ, Holmboe E, Mitchell EL, Park YS (2021). Using Learning Analytics to Examine Achievement of Graduation Targets for Systems-Based Practice and Practice-Based Learning and Improvement: A National Cohort of Vascular Surgery Fellows. Ann Vasc Surg, 76, 463-471. (Read full article)
  31. Nguyen S, Johnston T, McCrary HC, Chow C, Babcock C, Richards B, Smith BK (2021). Medical student attitudes and actions that encourage teaching on surgery clerkships. Am J Surg, 222(6), 1066-1071. (Read full article)
  32. Zemela MS, Malgor RD, Smith BK, Smeds MR (2021). Feasibility and acceptability of virtual mock oral examinations for senior vascular surgery trainees and implications for the certifying exam. Ann Vasc Surg, 76, 28-37. (Read full article)
  33. McCrary HC, Luman A, OSullivan P, Smith B, Cannon RB (2021). A national survey to assess robotic surgery training among otolaryngology - head and neck surgery residency programs. [3489421996968 Epub ahead of print]. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol.
  34. Malhotra NR, Smith JD, Jacobs AC, Johnson CE, Khan US, Ellison HB, Brintz BJ, Millar MM, Cloud WG, Nahmias J, Hendershot KM, Smith BK (2020). High value care education in general surgery residency programs: A multi-institutional needs assessment. Am J Surg, 221(2), 291-297. (Read full article)
  35. Hayek S, Woo B, Darelli-Anderson A, Dove J, Fluck M, Stefanidis D, Shabahang MM, Smith BK (2020). Disparate opinions on the value of Vice Chairs of education in Departments of Surgery: A national survey of Department Chairs and other surgical education stakeholders. Am J Surg, 221(2), 381-387. (Read full article)
  36. Pender T, Boi L, Urbik VM, Glasgow R, Smith BK (2020). Implementation and Evaluation of a Novel High-Value Care Curriculum in a Single Academic Surgery Department. J Am Coll Surg, 232(1), 81-90. (Read full article)
  37. Gilbertson EA, Bailey TR, Kraiss LW, Griffin CL, Smith BK, Sarfati M, Beckstrom J, Brooke BS (2020). Long-Term Impact of Vascular Surgery Stress on Frail Older Patients. Ann Vasc Surg, 70, 9-19. (Read full article)
  38. Smith BK, Finlayson SRG, Perler BA, Presson AP, Allen CM, Brooke BS (2020). Comparison of Patient Outcomes Among Integrated Residency Versus Fellowship-Trained Vascular Surgeons. (Epub ahead of Print). Ann Surg.
  39. Malhotra NR, Lee YJ, Millar MM, Cartwright PC, Smith BK (2020). Experiences With Quality Improvement in Training: A National Survey of Urology Residents. Urology, 145, 83-89. (Read full article)
  40. Chun TT, Judelson DR, Rigberg D, Lawrence PF, Cuff R, Shalhub S, Wohlauer M, Abularrage CJ, Anastasios P, Arya S, Aulivola B, Baldwin M, Baril D, Bechara CF, Beckerman WE, Behrendt CA, Benedetto F, Bennett LF, Charlton-Ouw KM, Chawla A, Chia MC, Cho S, Choong AMTL, Chou EL, Christiana A, Coscas R, De Caridi G, Ellozy S, Etkin Y, Faries P, Fung AT, Gonzalez A, Griffin CL, Guidry L, Gunawansa N, Gwertzman G, Han DK, Hicks CW, Hinojosa CA, Hsiang Y, Ilonzo N, Jayakumar L, Joh JH, Johnson AP, Kabbani LS, Keller MR, Khashram M, Koleilat I, Krueger B, Kumar A, Lee CJ, Lee A, Levy MM, Lewis CT, Lind B, Lopez-Pena G, Mohebali J, Molnar RG, Morrissey NJ, Motaganahalli RL, Mouawad NJ, Newton DH, Ng JJ, OBanion LA, Phair J, Rancic Z, Rao A, Ray HM, Rivera AG, Rodriguez L, Sales CM, Salzman G, Sarfati M, Savlania A, Schanzer A, Sharafuddin MJ, Sheahan M, Siada S, Siracuse JJ, Smith BK, Smith M, Soh I, Sorber R, Sundaram V, Sundick S, Tomita TM, Trinidad B, Tsai S, Vouyouka AG, Westin GG, Williams MS Jr, Wren SM, Yang JK, Yi J, Zhou W, Zia S, Woo K (2020). Managing central venous access during a health care crisis. J Vasc Surg, 72(4), 1184-1195.e3. (Read full article)
  41. Griffin CL, Sharma V, Sarfati MR, Smith BK, Kraiss LW, McKellar SH, Koliopoulou A, Brooke BS, Selzman CH, Glotzbach JP (2020). Aortic disease in the time of COVID-19 and repercussions on patient care at an academic aortic center. J Vasc Surg, 72(2), 408-413. (Read full article)
  42. Griffin CL, Sharma V, Sarfati MR, Smith BK, Kraiss LW McKeller ST, Koliopoulou A, Brooke BS, Selzman CH, Glotzbach JP (2020). Aortic surgery decision making in the time of COVID-19. J Vasc Surg, 72(2), 408-413.
  43. Purnell SM, Wolf L, Millar MM, Smith BK (2019). A National Survey of Integrated Vascular Surgery Residents' Experiences With and Attitudes About Quality Improvement During Residency. J Surg Educ, 77(1), 158-165. (Read full article)
  44. Huffman EM, Anderson TN, Choi JN, Smith BK (2020). Why the Lab? What is Really Motivating General Surgery Residents to Take Time for Dedicated Research. J Surg Educ, 77(6), e39-e46. (Read full article)
  45. Ghaffarian AA, Foss WT, Donald G, Kraiss LW, Sarfati M, Griffin CL, Smith BK, Brooke BS (2019). Prognostic implications of diagnosing frailty and sarcopenia in vascular surgery practice. J Vasc Surg, 70(3), 892-900. (Read full article)
  46. Smith BK, Davies MG, Harris IB (2019). The Current State of the 0+5 Integrated Vascular Surgery Residency Training Paradigm: A Scoping Review of the Literature. J Surg Educ, 76(4), 990-1004. (Read full article)
  47. Donald GW, Ghaffarian AA, Isaac F, Kraiss LW, Griffin CL, Smith BK, Sarfati MR, Beckstrom JL, Brooke BS (2018). Preoperative frailty assessment predicts loss of independence after vascular surgery. J Vasc Surg, 68(5), 1382-1389. (Read full article)
  48. Ghaffarian AA, Al-Dulaimi R, Kraiss LW, Sarfati M, Griffin CL, Smith BK, Donald G, Brooke BS (2018). Clinical effectiveness of open thrombectomy for thrombosed autogenous arteriovenous fistulas and grafts. J Vasc Surg, 68(1), 189-196.
  49. Robbins R, Sullivan S, Smith B (2018). Implementation of an academic half day in a vascular surgery residency program improves trainee and faculty satisfaction with surgical indications conference. Surgery, 163(6), 1197-1200. (Read full article)
  50. Mirabelli LG, Cosker RM, Kraiss LW, Griffin CL, Smith BK, Sarfati MR, Al-Dulaimi R, Brooke BS (2017). Rapid Methods for Routine Frailty Assessment during Vascular Surgery Clinic Visits. Ann Vasc Surg, 46, 134-141. (Read full article)
  51. Smith BK, Kang PC, McAninch C, Leverson G, Sullivan S, Mitchell EL (2016). 0 + 5 Vascular Surgery Residents' Operative Experience in General Surgery: An Analysis of Operative Logs from 12 Integrated Programs. J Surg Educ, 73(3), 536-41. (Read full article)
  52. Gupta PK, Smith BK, Yamanouchi D (2015). Case Report of Percutaneous Retrograde Transcollateral Recanalization of the Superior Mesenteric Artery via the Celiac Artery for Acute Mesenteric Ischemia. Medicine (Baltimore), 94(50), e2036. (Read full article)
  53. Smith BK, Adsit RT, Jorenby DE, Matsumura JS, Fiore MC (2015). Utilization of the Electronic Health Record to Improve Provision of Smoking Cessation Resources for Vascular Surgery Inpatients. Int J Cardiovasc Res, 4(5). (Read full article)
  54. Smith BK, Greenberg JA, Mitchell EL (2014). The evolving integrated vascular surgery residency curriculum. Ann Vasc Surg, 28(7), 1761-8. (Read full article)
  55. Dull BZ, Smith B, Tefera G, Weber S (2013). Surgical management of retroperitoneal leiomyosarcoma arising from the inferior vena cava. J Gastrointest Surg, 17(12), 2166-71. (Read full article)
  56. Smith BK, Engelbert T, Turnipseed WD (2013). Foot claudication with plantar flexion as a result of dorsalis pedis artery impingement in an Irish dancer. J Vasc Surg, 58(1), 212-4. (Read full article)

Book Chapter

  1. Harding JP, Smith BK (2022). Venous Insufficiency. In Sgroi M, Escobar G (Eds.), The VSITE Review Manual. Elsevier: Nova Science Publishers, Inc.
  2. Sweeney J, Dimich J, Ko CY, Moffatt-Bruce S, Smith BK (2022). Chapter 9: Curriculum: Quality and Safety: Evaluation, Management, and Improvement. In Hoyt DB, Sachdeva AK, Flint LM, and Richardson JD (Eds.), Optimal Resources for Surgical Education and Training (The Gold Book) (pp. 155-167). The American College of Surgeons.
  3. Mitchell EL, Alabi O, Heisler CA, Temkin SM, Stephens EH, Smith BK, Miller P (2021). Section 11: Practice Issues: 19. Contemporary topics focused on the experience of women in the United States surgical workforce. In Hicks CW and Harris LM (Eds.), Vascular Disease in Women An Overview of the Literature and Treatment Recommendations (1st, pp. 441-52). Academic Press.
  4. Smith B, Kent KC (2014). Selection of Patients with Aortic Aneurysms for Open Surgical or Endovascular Repair. In Stanley JC (Ed.), Current Therapy in Vascular and Endovascular Surgery (5th edition). W.B. Saunders Company.

Book Review

  1. Smith B, Matsumura J (2015). Carotid Endarterectomy: Principles and Technique. Ann Vasc Surg. April, 2015;29(3):617. [Review of the book Carotid Endarterectomy: Principles and Technique]. Ann Vasc Surg, 29(3), 617.
  2. Smith BK, Matsumura JS (2015). Vascular Disease: Diagnostic and Therapeutic Approaches. Ann Vasc Surg. April, 2015;29(3):616. [Review of the book Vascular Disease: Diagnostic and Therapeutic Approaches]. Annals of Vascular Surgery, 29, 616.
  3. Smith B, Tefera G (2011). Review of the book Rutherford's Vascular Surgery, 7th Edition. [Review of the book Rutherford’s Vascular Surgery, 7th Edition]. J Surg Research, 166, 45.

Video/Film/CD/Web/Podcast

  1. Smith BK (2022). Conceptual Frameworks and How to Use Them. [Podcast]. ASE/SIMPL.
  2. Smith BK, Pei K (2022). Education research and scholarship. [Podcast]. Association for Surgical Education. Available: https://www.surgicaleducation.com/podcast/education-research-and-scholarship/.
  3. Smith B, Timmie K (2021). Careers in surgical education research. [Podcast]. Teaching in Medicine. Available: https://anchor.fm/teachinginmedicine/episodes/Education-Research-with-Dr--Brigitte-Smith-e15spt4.
  4. Smith B, Timmie K (2021). Meet the Educator. [Podcast]. Teaching in Medicine. Available: https://anchor.fm/teachinginmedicine/episodes/Meet-the-Educator-Vascular-Surgery-Program-Director-and-Vice-Chair-of-Education-Dr--Brigitte-Smith-e15adrt.
  5. Koleilat I, Smith BK, Edgar L (2021). ACGME Vascular Milestones 2.0. [Podcast]. Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education.
  6. Richards BF, Babcock CL, Buchmann L, Chow CJ, Christensen T, Smith BK, Weber T, Lamb S (2021). Personal, social, and organizational components of the learning environment: Variations in their perceived influence in the clinical setting. [Web]. Published online: JAHSE. Available: https://jahse.med.utah.edu/personal-social-organizational-and-space-components-of-the-clinical-learning-environment-variations-in-their-perceived-influence/.
  7. Smith BK, Johnson A (2020). Vascular surgery education and training in quality improvement.  [Podcast]. Audible Bleeding. Available: https://www.audiblebleeding.com/2020/09/27/brigitte-smith-md-mhpe-education-in-quality-and-safety/.
  8. Griffin CL, Smith BK (2019). Pelvic Congestion Syndrome. [Web]. The SCORE Portal. Surgical Council on Resident Education Inc.. Available: https://www.surgicalcore.org/.
  9. Smith BRansco M, Mahoney K (2017). Making Value Work Visible. [Podcast]. University of Utah Accelerate Improvement Community. Available: http://healthsciences.utah.edu/accelerate/blog/2017/07/brigitte-smith-making-valuable-work-visible.php.
  10. Smith BPendleton R (2016).  A Generation Away from Value. [Podcast]. University of Utah Accelerate Improvement Community. Available: http://healthsciences.utah.edu/accelerate/blog/2016/12/bobcast-brigitte-smith-a-generation-from-value.php.