Meet Jeff
I am a practicing Orthopaedic Traumatologist and a Professional Certified Coach (PCC). I have more than 1,000 hours of one-on-one surgeon coaching experience and 500+ hours of International Coaching Federation (ICF) accredited coach training.
With over 20 years of experience within academic and private healthcare systems, I have developed my own system to cope with the ups and downs of being a performance-driven surgeon managing episodes of burnout in a demanding career. Through my personal experience and studies, I have developed The 8 PRACTICEs of Highly Successful Surgeons, a coaching methodology that addresses communication, leadership, time / life management, and more. I continue to be driven by my passion to positively impact the lives of patients recovering from injury, and helping physicians create the life and practice they want.
You can find my thoughts about the practice of medicine in the SurgeonMasters blog and as the host of the SurgeonMasters Podcast, Life Improvement Strategies for the Surgeon Who Wants More… in 10 Minutes. I also frequently share my perspective in presentations on topics like surgeon wellness, surgeon coaching, and my experience with burnout.
Coaching Specialties:
- Practice Optimization
- Physician Wellness
- Work-Life Rhythm
- Surgeon Peak Performance
"I work with quality and performance-driven surgeons to help them achieve their goals while nurturing their health and well-being and relationships most important to them."
More About Jeff's Why
From the Blog:
The Value of Coaching for Surgeons
I recently had the honor of presenting data on how surgeons perceive the value of coaching at the American Orthopaedic Association Annual Leadership Meeting. After
Asking Reflective Questions is a Skill for Physicians in Uncertain Times
Physicians are trained to be decisive and confident, but what happens when we’re not in control? We naturally rely on our data, experience, instinct, and
Networking for Physicians: Reframing Connection and Opportunity
Physicians are trained to be resilient, but that mindset often keeps us from building strong networks that could support growth and sustain us throughout our
Latest News:
Cutting-Edge Support: The Value of Coaching
Dear Community: Recently, I presented a poster at a surgical leadership conference on the value of coaching. The key takeaway is that voluntary coaching engagements
Jeffrey M. Smith, MD, FACS, PCC, to Present Surgeon Coaching Study at the 2025 AOA Leadership Meeting
Minneapolis, MN., June 5, 2025 – SurgeonMasters CEO Jeffrey M. Smith, MD, FACS, PCC, will present the study, Cutting-Edge Support: The Perceived Value of Professional
Defining Your Core Values is Essential
Dear Community, What values define you? It’s not always an easy question to answer. In the rush of clinical demands, administrative pressures, and personal responsibilities,
From the Podcast:
Hero Mindset! Life improvement strategies for the surgeon who wants more … in 10 minutes – Episode 128
Pump the brakes on your week and take 10 minutes to make your life as a surgeon just a little better… Jeff welcomes ENT surgeon
Team Communication! – Life improvement strategies for the surgeon who wants more … in 10 minutes – Episode 127
Pump the brakes on your week and take 10 minutes to make your life as a surgeon just a little better… Jeff welcomes to the
Improving Communication! – Life improvement strategies for the surgeon who wants more … in 10 minutes – Episode 126
Pump the brakes on your week and take 10 minutes to make your life as a surgeon just a little better… Jeff welcomes to the