Dr. Ben Smith has been with Bridger Orthopedic as a Spine Specialist and practicing in Bozeman for 5 years. He was a Montana State University Bobcat, playing football and graduating with honors in the MSU Health Promotion program in 2006, and went on to complete a premiere adult spine fellowship with nationally recognized surgeons at Duke University. 

Dr. Smith’s training and exceptional surgical skills help him provide patient care in minimally invasive surgical techniques, in both fusion and non-fusion procedures, including microdiscectomies that are performed through a small tube with the assistance of a microscope. He also has extensive training in revision and deformity surgery. 

As one of the first providers to bring these techniques to Southwest Montana, Dr. Smith appreciates the benefits of utilizing these minimally invasive techniques for his patients due to their decreased length of inpatient stay, limited blood loss, diminished opiate pain management, and a quicker return to activities. His practice also incorporated patient specific implants, motion preservation surgery and utilizes extensive training with intraoperative computer tomography, navigation and neuromonitoring. 

Dr. Smith believes in a holistic approach to each patient and that clear communication between the patient, their family, and the team of physicians, therapists, and nurses is the most important aspect in achieving a successful outcome. 

He is a member of an international design team for advancements in spinal implants, patient positioning research and neuromonitoring improvements. He enjoys a collaborative relationship with local and regional medical providers to provide the highest level of patient care coordination including being the Medical Director of the Spine & Joint Institute at Bozeman Health, the Orthopedic Chair with the Surgery Executive Committee at Bozeman Health and the Orthopedic Chair with the Trauma Committee at Bozeman Health. Dr. Smith is also a sitting member of the Board of Directors for the Rocky Mountain Surgical Center.