Briant Smith, MD

	Joined May, 1990 Department: Orthopedics [Map] Title: Physician Degree: MD Interests: I devote a great deal of time to competitive road cycling. I have twice been state champion in our masters age group racing, which isn't so easy being a big person (most of the great cyclists are about 50 pounds lighter). Physician Homepage
Bio I have been with the Santa Rosa orthopedic surgery department since 1992. Before that I worked with a private practice group in San Francisco but I have been very happy with the move to Santa Rosa because I work with a great group of doctors and I feel I can really practice medicine the way it should be practiced: you and I making all of the important decisions and backed up by an excellent supporting cast. In San Francisco, my original practice interest was in pediatric orthopedics at Shriners Hospital but I now focus on joint replacement surgery and sports medicine, and a little of everything else except spinal disorders (this is now handled by specialized clinics and facilities by doctors with focused expertise in this area). But where did I come from, you ask? I grew up in Southern California and did the usual Southern California things: lots of sports, sun, and surfing. It wasn't easy breaking free of that lifestyle at my undergraduate college, University of California Santa Barbara. But I couldn't get away with too much by majoring in pharmacology for both my bachelor and masters of arts degrees. My education kept taking me north and I entered medical school at University of California San Francisco. Some of my classmates also work at our Santa Rosa facility: Drs. Patricia Padilla, Michael Sweeney and Gerry Lazzareschi. I stayed at UCSF for my orthopedic surgery residency.
My Medical Specialty
My specialty interests and affiliations within my field: Board certified Orthopedic Surgery 1993 Recertification 2002 Fellow, American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons Member American Medical Association, California Medical Association, Sonoma County Medical Association Sonoma County Bicycle Coalition member Current projects or research: I serve on the National Orthopedic Functional Group which provides expert advice and recommendations on Orthopedic surgical products for our Kaiser Permanente members.
Interests
Santa Rosa is one of the greatests areas in the entire world to bicycle. You can go in any direction and find beautiful and challenging terrain to ride. We have great weather most of the year but to cycle in the winter requires a certain toughness or stupidity to put up with the cold and rain. Good fenders are a must. Currently reading: Mostly cycling magazines and the New Yorker My favorite book or author: I am currently reading a Distant Mirror by Barbara Tuchman. It details the calamitous 14th century in Europe. Great movie: Sideways	Hobby Photos & Links: I am the big guy on the right and that is Mt. Rainier behind me. This is me racing. Northern California Road cycling website
Family & Friends
People in my life: I have many close friends. Some work with me here at the hospital, like Dr. Michael Sweeney and Dr. Gerry Lazzareschi. They were both medical students with me at UC San Francisco. Another close friend is John Liljestrom from high school in Southern California. We used to fish a lot together. Here's a picture of us after a successful trip. My children and people I care about: I have a son who is a junior in high school and likes computers and art, and a daughter who is a sophomore in high school and is an accomplished dancer.	Photos of my Family & Friends: Poor fish!
My pets: I have a pet stuffed Alaskan husky that one of my patients gave to me. It is house-trained and doesn't eat much.
Travel
An adventure I've had: I enjoy traveling with my bicycle to Europe and riding the big mountains of the Tour de France (now, this is different than actually racing in the Tour de France!). I've done two weeks in the French Alps, two weeks in the Pyrenees, and two weeks in the Vercors and Provence. Next trip will be Italy. Here's a picture I took on my last trip to France. Favorite place in the world: I've traveled a lot and it sounds corny but I think Sonoma and Mendocino counties are the bestest. Here's a picture I took in Mendocino recently.	Travel Photos: This is in the French Alps near the Vercors. A Photo of One of My Favorite Places: This is deep into one of the coastal redwood groves.