Celebrating the Legacy of Craig R. Smith. MD

A pioneer of cardiothoracic and transplantation surgery, and a long-time institutional leader at Columbia, Dr. Craig Smith is one of the most accomplished and respected surgeons of his generation.

To honor Dr. Smith’s extraordinary legacy, the Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons is raising support for an endowed fund in his name, with the goal of establishing a new professorship in the Department of Surgery.

The Craig R. Smith, MD Legacy Campaign

The Craig R. Smith, MD Legacy Campaign will support surgical research, clinical excellence, and academic leadership in the Department of Surgery.

The campaign’s goal is to raise an endowed fund in Dr. Smith’s name – a permanent source of funding – to support innovation in surgical research and leadership, and ultimately a professorship in his honor to help recruit and retain the next generation of talented surgeons at Columbia. The fund will honor Dr. Smith’s years as Chair of the Department of Surgery, while investing in the surgical leaders that will drive the future of care for patients at Columbia and beyond.

About Craig R. Smith, MD

 It’s a blessing to be genuinely useful in the most intimate, personal, and elemental epiphanies and calamities of life.

A renowned cardiothoracic surgeon, Dr. Smith has led the Department of Surgery for 15 years and significantly expanded its clinical services.  Under his leadership, the Department created groundbreaking programs in areas like neonatal surgery, acute care surgery, abdominal wall reconstruction, and robotics. His recruitment of leading faculty strengthened the department’s expertise, while his strategic vision expanded the department’s reach, extending access to outstanding surgical care locally and around the globe.

A Legacy of Research and Discovery

Dr. Smith fostered a culture of innovation that has become the hallmark of the department. He championed groundbreaking research, leading the department to consistently rank among the top 10 in NIH (National Institutes of Health) funding. His long-term investment in surgical sciences has supported breakthroughs across multiple disciplines that will benefit patients for years to come.

The Next Generation of Surgical Leadership

The Craig R. Smith, MD Legacy Campaign will nurture surgical and research careers, enabling new scientific and educational initiatives that lead to discovery and clinical innovation. An endowed fund will provide a permanent source of funding to recruit and retain top surgeons and advance research, patient care, and physician training. Your support would form a permanent tribute to Dr. Smith, and a way to ensure that his influence continues through the people and programs that carry his legacy forward.

To learn more about how you can support the Craig R. Smith, MD Legacy Campaign, please contact:

Rachel Edelman
Senior Director of Development
Email: re2442@cumc.columbia.edu
Phone: (929) 746-6361