Education
- B.A., University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, 1980
- M.D., University of Tennessee, Memphis, Tennessee, 1984
internship
General Surgery, University Hospital, Jacksonville, Florida, 1985
residency
Orthopedic Surgery, University Hospital, Jacksonville, Florida, 1989
fellowship
Hand Surgery, St. Luke’s Episcopal Hospital, Houston, Texas, 1990
began practice at UOS
1990
board certification
- American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery, 1993
- American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery Certificate of Added Qualifications in Surgery of the Hand, 1995
- Re-certified in Orthopedic Surgery and Hand Surgery, 2004
professional distinctions
- Knoxville Academy of Medicine
- Knoxville Orthopedic Society
- Tennessee Orthopaedic Society
- Tennessee Medical Association
- American Medical Association
- American Academy of Orthopedic Surgery
- American Society of Surgery of the Hand
orthopaedic specialty
Hand Surgery

Office info
UT Medical Center Professional Office Building C
1932 Alcoa Highway
Suite 360
Knoxville, TN 37920
Phone – 865.546.2663
West Knoxville
11440 Parkside Drive,
Suite 110
Knoxville, TN 37934
Phone – 865.218.9300
Richard S. Smith, M.D.
Richard S. Smith, M.D. is originally from Chattanooga, Tennessee. Dr. Smith attended the University of Tennessee at Knoxville and graduated with highest honors. He attended the University of Tennessee College of Medicine in Memphis before completing a general surgery internship and an orthopedic surgery residency at University Hospital in Jacksonville, Florida. Dr. Smith also completed a one year fellowship in hand surgery at Baylor University in Houston. Dr. Smith is a Board Certified Orthopedic Surgeon and possesses the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgeons Certificate of Added Qualification in Surgery of the Hand.
He serves as a Clinical Instructor in the Department of Surgery at the University of Tennessee Medical Center in Knoxville and has been affiliated with Orthopedic Associates of Knoxville since 1990. His interests are injuries and problems of the hand, wrist and elbow. Dr. Smith also specializes in the treatment of arthritis, carpal tunnel surgery and injuries of the upper extremity.
Dr. Smith's personal hobbies include golf, history and music. Dr. Smith is a gifted songwriter. He has produced three gospel bluegrass CDs with the proceeds going to charities.


