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Dr. Sheila M. Smitherman, MD

Accepting New Patients
Specializes in: Spine Surgery and Neurosurgery
Baylor College of Medicine (2002)
Professional interests include: arteriovenous malformation (AVM), peripheral nerve surgery, brain surgery, and more.
615 Lilly Road Northeast Suite 220
Olympia, WA 98506

Dr. Sheila M. Smitherman, MD is a spine surgeon in Olympia, WA specializing in spine surgery and neurosurgery. She graduated from Baylor College of Medicine in 2002 and has 24 years of experience. Dr. Sheila M. Smitherman, MD is affiliated with Providence St. Peter Hospital and Providence.

View Doctor's Full Profile (360) 486-6150

Office Locations

615 Lilly Road Northeast Suite 220
Olympia, WA 98506
open_in_new

Some issues Dr. Sheila M. Smitherman, MD can help you with:

Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS)

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a procedure performed to help treat neurological conditions such as Parkinson's disease and epilepsy. Electrode leads are surgically implanted in the brain and connected to a device, called a neurostimulator (deep brain stimulator), that is placed underneath the skin (subcutaneously). The deep brain stimulator can send electrical signals through the electrodes to the brain to restore normal rhythms, or it can block electrical signals in specific areas of the brain to restore functioning. Although not a cure, DBS can treat symptoms of movement disorders such as pain and tremor when medication fails to work.

DBS surgery may be completed in one operating session, but it is more commonly performed in two parts. In the first stage of the procedure, the surgeon will map targets in the brain using CT or MRI imaging to determine where to place the electrodes. Then, by drilling holes into the skull, the surgeon will place the electrodes into specific areas in the brain. The holes will be closed, and patients will require 1-2 days to recover in the hospital. After about two weeks, patients will undergo another surgery to have the deep brain stimulator implanted. The stimulator is usually placed under the skin around the collarbone, chest, or abdomen, and it will be connected to the DBS electrodes through a subcutaneous wire. No component of the DBS system will be visible from outside. Following stimulator implantation, patients may need to recover in the hospital for 1-2 days.

Within 2-4 weeks of the operation, doctors will program the stimulator using a wireless device. Patients will work with their doctor to determine the most effective settings for the stimulator during follow-up visits. Patients will be given a handheld device so that they can turn the stimulator on or off and adjust its settings themselves. The stimulator may have a rechargeable battery, in which case patients will be given a charging unit. Stimulator batteries generally need to be replaced in 3-5 years.

Hydrocephalus

Normally, the brain is bathed in a liquid called cerebrospinal fluid. This fluid cushions and nurtures the brain cells as it flows around and through the brain. Sometimes, cerebrospinal fluid does not get reabsorbed into the body properly, or a blockage in the brain can stop it from flowing. This causes a buildup of pressure called hydrocephalus. This condition affects a wide range of people, but it is much more prevalent among infants and older adults. Left untreated, hydrocephalus can cause uncomfortable symptoms, such as headaches and blurred vision, and eventually may cause brain damage.

Hydrocephalus is most often treated with an implanted device called a shunt. A shunt is a long, thin tube that is used to drain excess fluid. One end is placed within the brain. The tube runs under the skin, along the neck behind the ear, and to another part of the body where the fluid can be reabsorbed. Most often this is the abdomen, but the chest or other areas can also be used. Shunts have a valve that allows doctors to monitor and control the pressure within the brain. Insertion of a shunt is a surgical procedure that takes one to two hours. Incisions are made in the head and the abdomen, and the shunt is threaded into place before the openings are stitched closed.

In cases where hydrocephalus is caused by a blockage, a procedure called endoscopic third ventriculostomy, or ETV, may be performed. During this procedure, a surgeon makes a dime-sized hole in the skull and uses a thin tube with a camera on the end (called an endoscope) to see inside the brain. The surgeon punctures a hole in the floor of the third ventricle, a fluid-filled space within the brain. The hole provides an opening for cerebrospinal fluid to flow around the blockage, normalizing pressure. The entire procedure usually takes less than an hour and patients can often go home the following day. ETV can provide a permanent and safe alternative to a shunt, but it is only useful for patients whose hydrocephalus is caused by a blockage.

Spinal Fusion

Spinal fusion is a surgical procedure to permanently join together two or more vertebrae, the bones in the spine. Certain spinal disorders can lead to instability and pain, and the idea behind spinal fusion is that fusing vertebrae together can both make them stronger and reduce motion, which can sometimes reduce pain.

There are several different types of spinal fusion surgery available, mostly depending on where a patient's pain is located and whether his or her surgeon will perform the procedure through the back, front, or side. In general, a fusion is performed by packing the vertebrae to be fused with grafted bone. This bone may be taken from the patient's hip, may be donated from a cadaver, or it may be a manufactured synthetic material. The bone is placed along the vertebrae, and sometimes, the disc that lies in between the vertebrae is removed and replaced with grafted bone. The bone material will grow and cement the two vertebrae together. After the bone graft is placed, the vertebrae are sometimes held in place with rods, screws, plates, or cages, depending on the weakness of the spine and needs of the graft.

Spinal fusion is a significant surgery and can take three to four hours or more. Recovery is typically two to four days in the hospital. After surgery, it is important to remember that the fusion takes time to grow from the bone graft. So, the actual fusion is not complete for several months. Patients will probably feel somewhat better right away, but it may take a while to feel the full effects of the fusion as the bone grows into place. In the meantime, doctors might have patients wear a brace to protect their spine and keep it properly aligned.

Spinal fusion is not used for all kinds of back pain. Changing the way the spine moves can lead to strain on the other joints in the back, and fusion is only performed when the benefits outweigh the risks. Some spine disorders that are treated with fusion include:

  • Curvature disorders, such as scoliosis and kyphosis
  • Degenerative disc disease
  • Spondylolisthesis, a disorder that causes vertebrae to slip over each other
  • Significant spinal fractures that cause instability
  • Weakened spine due to infection or tumor
  • Some cases of spinal stenosis, a narrowing of the spinal column
  • Chronic lower back pain (although the use of fusion to treat this is controversial)

Regardless of the diagnosis, there is always a possibility of 'failure' with spinal fusion, or of the surgery not fully solving the pain. This is more likely when fusion is used primarily to treat pain instead of structural problems. Patients can improve their chances of a successful outcome by stopping smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, moving their body every day, and following their doctor's instructions for any physical therapy that they are prescribed.

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2012 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Sheila M. Smitherman, MD treated as a spine surgeon in Olympia, WA during 2012 were spinal procedures, hospital care, inpatient care and nerve procedures.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Sheila M. Smitherman, MD for Medicare patients.

decompression surgery 12
doctor visit 213
hospital care 15
inpatient care 15
nerve procedures 12
spinal procedures 25

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2013 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Sheila M. Smitherman, MD treated as a spine surgeon in Olympia, WA during 2013 were hospital care, inpatient care, nerve procedures and decompression surgery.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Sheila M. Smitherman, MD for Medicare patients.

decompression surgery 19
doctor visit 219
hospital care 23
inpatient care 23
nerve procedures 19
spinal procedures 19

2013 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Sheila M. Smitherman, MD.

Gender
Male 100
Female 108
Ethnicity
Non-Hispanic White 194
Black 0
Hispanic 0
Asian 0
Other 0
Native American 0
Age
From 65 to 74 112
From 75 to 84 53
85 and over 15
Less than 65 28

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Sheila M. Smitherman, MD in 2013

Hypertension 62
High Cholesterol 52
Stroke 9
Ischemic Heart Disease 26
Depression 22
Chronic Kidney Disease 23
Asthma 10
Osteoperosis 6
Atrial Fibrilation 10
Heart Failure 18
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 8
Diabetes 29
Dementia 7
Cancer 9

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2014 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Sheila M. Smitherman, MD treated as a spine surgeon in Olympia, WA during 2014 were spinal procedures, hospital care, inpatient care and nerve procedures.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Sheila M. Smitherman, MD for Medicare patients.

arthrodesis (bone fusion surgery) 12
decompression surgery 19
doctor visit 232
hospital care 32
inpatient care 32
nerve procedures 19
spinal procedures 44

2014 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Sheila M. Smitherman, MD.

Gender
Male 89
Female 119
Ethnicity
Non-Hispanic White 192
Black 0
Hispanic 0
Asian 0
Other 0
Native American 0
Age
From 65 to 74 90
From 75 to 84 64
85 and over 18
Less than 65 36

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Sheila M. Smitherman, MD in 2014

Hypertension 59
High Cholesterol 45
Stroke 8
Ischemic Heart Disease 26
Depression 28
Chronic Kidney Disease 17
Asthma 8
Osteoperosis 6
Atrial Fibrilation 12
Heart Failure 15
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 13
Diabetes 28
Dementia 12
Cancer 10

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2015 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Sheila M. Smitherman, MD treated as a spine surgeon in Olympia, WA during 2015 were hospital care, inpatient care, spinal procedures and arthrodesis (bone fusion surgery).

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Sheila M. Smitherman, MD for Medicare patients.

arthrodesis (bone fusion surgery) 14
decompression surgery 12
doctor visit 284
hospital care 63
inpatient care 63
nerve procedures 12
spinal procedures 40

2015 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Sheila M. Smitherman, MD.

Gender
Male 274
Female 306
Ethnicity
Non-Hispanic White 540
Black 0
Hispanic 0
Asian 0
Other 0
Native American 0
Age
From 65 to 74 260
From 75 to 84 176
85 and over 50
Less than 65 94

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Sheila M. Smitherman, MD in 2015

Hypertension 61
High Cholesterol 39
Stroke 12
Ischemic Heart Disease 26
Depression 21
Chronic Kidney Disease 26
Asthma 10
Osteoperosis 7
Atrial Fibrilation 12
Heart Failure 17
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 12
Diabetes 30
Dementia 8
Cancer 11

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2016 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Sheila M. Smitherman, MD treated as a spine surgeon in Olympia, WA during 2016 were spinal procedures, hospital care, inpatient care and nerve procedures.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Sheila M. Smitherman, MD for Medicare patients.

arthrodesis (bone fusion surgery) 14
decompression surgery 16
doctor visit 259
hospital care 38
inpatient care 38
nerve procedures 16
spinal procedures 42

2016 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Sheila M. Smitherman, MD.

Gender
Male 134
Female 170
Ethnicity
Non-Hispanic White 279
Black 0
Hispanic 0
Asian 0
Other 0
Native American 0
Age
From 65 to 74 138
From 75 to 84 91
85 and over 23
Less than 65 52

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Sheila M. Smitherman, MD in 2016

Hypertension 63
High Cholesterol 52
Stroke 11
Ischemic Heart Disease 26
Depression 27
Chronic Kidney Disease 29
Asthma 18
Osteoperosis 7
Atrial Fibrilation 13
Heart Failure 16
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 15
Diabetes 34
Dementia 10
Cancer 14

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2017 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Sheila M. Smitherman, MD treated as a spine surgeon in Olympia, WA during 2017 were hospital care, inpatient care, spinal procedures and arthrodesis (bone fusion surgery).

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Sheila M. Smitherman, MD for Medicare patients.

arthrodesis (bone fusion surgery) 16
decompression surgery 12
doctor visit 329
hospital care 71
inpatient care 71
nerve procedures 12
spinal procedures 41

2017 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Sheila M. Smitherman, MD.

Gender
Male 139
Female 200
Ethnicity
Non-Hispanic White 320
Black 0
Hispanic 0
Asian 0
Other 0
Native American 0
Age
From 65 to 74 167
From 75 to 84 96
85 and over 29
Less than 65 47

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Sheila M. Smitherman, MD in 2017

Hypertension 60
High Cholesterol 43
Stroke 9
Ischemic Heart Disease 22
Depression 29
Chronic Kidney Disease 24
Asthma 6
Osteoperosis 6
Atrial Fibrilation 11
Heart Failure 14
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 17
Diabetes 28
Dementia 7
Cancer 12

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2018 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Sheila M. Smitherman, MD treated as a spine surgeon in Olympia, WA during 2018 were nerve procedures, decompression surgery, spinal procedures and hospital care.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Sheila M. Smitherman, MD for Medicare patients.

decompression surgery 17
doctor visit 322
hospital care 13
inpatient care 13
nerve procedures 17
spinal procedures 17

2018 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Sheila M. Smitherman, MD.

Gender
Male 135
Female 179
Ethnicity
Non-Hispanic White 298
Black 0
Hispanic 0
Asian 0
Other 0
Native American 0
Age
From 65 to 74 164
From 75 to 84 95
85 and over 16
Less than 65 39

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Sheila M. Smitherman, MD in 2018

Hypertension 63
High Cholesterol 44
Stroke 8
Ischemic Heart Disease 24
Depression 25
Chronic Kidney Disease 24
Asthma 8
Osteoperosis 7
Atrial Fibrilation 10
Heart Failure 17
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 16
Diabetes 24
Dementia 7
Cancer 10

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2019 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Sheila M. Smitherman, MD treated as a spine surgeon in Olympia, WA during 2019 were hospital care and inpatient care.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Sheila M. Smitherman, MD for Medicare patients.

doctor visit 321
hospital care 28
inpatient care 28

2019 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Sheila M. Smitherman, MD.

Gender
Male 133
Female 175
Ethnicity
Non-Hispanic White 283
Black 0
Hispanic 0
Asian 0
Other 0
Native American 0
Age
From 65 to 74 139
From 75 to 84 100
85 and over 27
Less than 65 42

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Sheila M. Smitherman, MD in 2019

Hypertension 61
High Cholesterol 52
Stroke 9
Ischemic Heart Disease 27
Depression 27
Chronic Kidney Disease 31
Asthma 7
Osteoperosis 7
Atrial Fibrilation 12
Heart Failure 15
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 12
Diabetes 28
Dementia 12
Cancer 12

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2020 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Sheila M. Smitherman, MD treated as a spine surgeon in Olympia, WA during 2020 were hospital care, inpatient care, spinal procedures and arthrodesis (bone fusion surgery).

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Sheila M. Smitherman, MD for Medicare patients.

arthrodesis (bone fusion surgery) 17
decompression surgery 16
doctor visit 303
hospital care 58
inpatient care 58
nerve procedures 16
spinal procedures 52

2020 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Sheila M. Smitherman, MD.

Gender
Male 127
Female 179
Ethnicity
Non-Hispanic White 289
Black 0
Hispanic 0
Asian 0
Other 0
Native American 0
Age
From 65 to 74 135
From 75 to 84 108
85 and over 28
Less than 65 35

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Sheila M. Smitherman, MD in 2020

Hypertension 65
High Cholesterol 48
Stroke 8
Ischemic Heart Disease 27
Depression 27
Chronic Kidney Disease 26
Asthma 6
Osteoperosis 9
Atrial Fibrilation 13
Heart Failure 20
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 11
Diabetes 27
Dementia 8
Cancer 11

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2021 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Sheila M. Smitherman, MD treated as a spine surgeon in Olympia, WA during 2021 were hospital care, inpatient care, spinal procedures and arthrodesis (bone fusion surgery).

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Sheila M. Smitherman, MD for Medicare patients.

arthrodesis (bone fusion surgery) 11
doctor visit 328
hospital care 26
inpatient care 26
spinal procedures 23

2021 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Sheila M. Smitherman, MD.

Gender
Male 140
Female 189
Ethnicity
Non-Hispanic White 297
Black 0
Hispanic 0
Asian 0
Other 0
Native American 0
Age
From 65 to 74 156
From 75 to 84 114
85 and over 30
Less than 65 29

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Sheila M. Smitherman, MD in 2021

Hypertension 64
High Cholesterol 53
Stroke 12
Ischemic Heart Disease 31
Depression 25
Chronic Kidney Disease 26
Asthma 6
Osteoperosis 9
Atrial Fibrilation 9
Heart Failure 15
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 10
Diabetes 26
Dementia 7
Cancer 11

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2022 Medicare Procedure Volume

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Sheila M. Smitherman, MD for Medicare patients.

doctor visit 272

2022 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Sheila M. Smitherman, MD.

Gender
Male 113
Female 158
Ethnicity
Non-Hispanic White 240
Black 0
Hispanic 0
Asian 0
Other 0
Native American 0
Age
From 65 to 74 141
From 75 to 84 84
85 and over 18
Less than 65 28

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Sheila M. Smitherman, MD in 2022

Hypertension 75
High Cholesterol 70
Stroke 12
Ischemic Heart Disease 19
Depression 27
Chronic Kidney Disease 20
Asthma 10
Osteoperosis 14
Atrial Fibrilation 15
Heart Failure 16
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 10
Diabetes 32
Dementia 7
Cancer 15

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

Average Medicare Procedure Volume From 2012 - 2022

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Sheila M. Smitherman, MD for Medicare patients.

The highest averages for the top procedures that Dr. Sheila M. Smitherman, MD treated as a spine surgeon in Olympia, WA were hospital care, inpatient care, spinal procedures and nerve procedures.

arthrodesis (bone fusion surgery) 14
decompression surgery 15
doctor visit 280
hospital care 36
inpatient care 36
nerve procedures 15
spinal procedures 33

Average Medicare Patient Data From 2012 - 2022

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Sheila M. Smitherman, MD.

Gender
Male 125
Female 162
Ethnicity
Black / African American 0
Asian / Pacific Islander 0
Non-Hispanic White 266
Native American / Alaskan Native 0
Hispanic 0
Other 0
Age
75 to 84 89
85 and over 23
Less than 65 39
65 to 74 136

Average of Total of Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Sheila M. Smitherman, MD From 2012 - 2022

The highest averages of the most common conditions of Medicare patients that Dr. Sheila M. Smitherman, MD treated were hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes and depression.

Hypertension 57
High Cholesterol 45
Stroke 8
Ischemic Heart Disease 23
Depression 23
Chronic Kidney Disease 22
Asthma 8
Osteoporosis 7
Heart Failure 14
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 11
Diabetes 26
Atrial Fibrillation 10
Dementia 7
Cancer 10

Education & Training

Dr. Sheila M. Smitherman, MD graduated from Baylor College of Medicine in 2002. She completed residency at Baylor University Medical Center. She is certified by the American Board of Neurological Surgery and has a state license in Washington.

Medical School: Baylor College of Medicine (2002)

Residency: Baylor University Medical Center (2008)

Board Certification: American Board of Neurological Surgery

Licensed In: Washington

Affiliations & Hospitals

Dr. Sheila M. Smitherman, MD is associated with these hospitals and organizations:

Providence St. Peter Hospital
Providence

Insurance Information

Please note: Insurance information may change at any time, and the provider may accept your insurance plan even if it is not listed below. Please contact the provider's office to confirm that your insurance is accepted.

Dr. Sheila M. Smitherman, MD appears to accept the following insurance providers: Humana PPO, Aetna PPO, CIGNA PPO, Medicare Advantage, TriWest, United Healthcare, Aetna, TRICARE, Medicaid, Humana, Cigna, United Healthcare Medicaid, OptumHealth Behavioral Solutions (United Behavioral Health), Providence, Humana HMO, First Health, Kaiser Permanente, Aetna Medicare PPO, Managed Health Network (MHN), South Puget Intertribal Planning Agency, Naphcare, Carelon PPO, State of Washington Department of Corrections, Premera, Evernorth PPO, Thurston County Corrections, First Choice PPO and Regence BlueShield of Washington PPO.

Insurance Accepted by Provider includes:

According to our sources, Dr. Sheila M. Smitherman, MD accepts the following insurance providers:

Humana PPO
Aetna PPO
CIGNA PPO
Medicare Advantage
TriWest
United Healthcare
Aetna
TRICARE
Medicaid
Humana
Cigna
United Healthcare Medicaid
OptumHealth Behavioral Solutions (United Behavioral Health)
Providence
Humana HMO
First Health
Kaiser Permanente
Aetna Medicare PPO
Managed Health Network (MHN)
South Puget Intertribal Planning Agency
Naphcare
Carelon PPO
State of Washington Department of Corrections
Premera
Evernorth PPO
Thurston County Corrections
First Choice PPO
Regence BlueShield of Washington PPO

Ratings & Reviews

Dr. Sheila M. Smitherman, MD has an exceptional overall rating with an average of 4.77 out of 5 stars based on 61 ratings. We collect ratings and reviews of Dr. Sheila M. Smitherman, MD from all over the web to help you find the right in Olympia, WA. 

4.77
Overall Rating
Leave a Review
Reviews Left On DocSpot
Overall Rating: 2.0 2024-02-17 
She didnt do any surgery on me do she dimissed me as being an important parient.  For three months after injury she only saw me twice..the third time and final tome was because i had complained about being dropped. I had questions and she ridiculed me, saying i was being hysterical over my fears of my injury.  Refused to show me the xrays or tell me what the radiologists said about the films.  Just hostile and belittling. If she had done surgery i might have been more important to her but it didnt turn out that way so i wasnt.  She krptnpushing me to think about having surgery and wanted an mri but the mri showed that it wasnt too serious..her words...she she just didnt bother from there on so now i am looking for a second opinion as i just dont trust her.  I have pain so there must be something still wrong.
Reviews From Around The Web
Overall Rating: 5.0 2022-11-04
Patient verified via Press Ganey
Dr Smitherman performed a L4-5 fusion in 2018 at St.Peters Hospital In Washington. The results have been excellent. I now live in Portland Oregon and had recent MRIs and x-ray of my spine in L-3 area. I made an appointment with Dr Smitherman for a consult and review of the Oregon records. She gave me clear analysis of my current physical condition plus referred me to a Neurosurgeon in my area. The surgery in 2018 was perfect and completely changed my life. I had very little pain following the procedure and healed completely very quickly. She is an excellent physician and person.
Overall Rating: 5.0 2023-06-21
Patient verified via Press Ganey
I was very sad when they informed me about closing the branch.I have nothing but gratitude for Dr Smitherman; she is an incredible human being.She practices her career by vocation not for the money.And her team staff have always being so nice, amicable and doing whatever they can to help you out.I wish you reconsider your decision because I'm pretty sure I never will find someone who really cares for her patients like Dr Smitherman.
Overall Rating: 3.0 2023-07-11
Patient verified via Press Ganey
Dr Smitherman has been a much needed specialist for my brain injured husband who has a shunt and history of seizures. Until being referred to her, we had to drive to Harborview to see a brain surgeon and that doctor moved to another state several years ago. We were very thankful for Dr Smitherman and very sad that will no longer be employed by Providence.
Overall Rating: 3.0 2022-11-07
Patient verified via Press Ganey
After a very quick and meager physical exam and a few questions the said that there was nothing she could do for me. When I mentioned a certain procedure she said I should try elsewhere for help and she then left the room. She left the impression that she had no interest In my back problem and to go somewhere else. Maybe she had a bad day
Overall Rating: 5.0 2023-05-07
Patient verified via Press Ganey
I was provided excellent care. Every staff member was friendly, courteous and thorough. Dr. Smitherman was exceptionally thorough. She explained every detail about my surgery; my post care follow up (ie., physical therapy), and expectations and restrictions for the future. I would highly recommend Dr. Smitherman and her staff.
Overall Rating: 5.0 2022-10-02
Patient verified via Press Ganey
Dr Smitherman is excellent and caring as a provider. I am dealing with a serious issue and she gave me good guidance and ways forward. This issue is difficult and painful, so I am happy she will be taking my concerns to a board of experts in October. I am eager to begin treatment, and have chosen Dr Smitherman to do this.
Overall Rating: 5.0 2023-05-07
Patient verified via Press Ganey
Very calm and spent lots of time explaining and answering questions. Did not dismiss questions, even if they didn't turn out to be relevant. Also gave good consideration to all options other than surgery and explained why or why not something would apply to me and my situation. I felt I could trust her.
Overall Rating: 5.0 2022-12-29
Patient verified via Press Ganey
Dr. Smitherman's bedside manner is absolutely the best I have ever encountered in a medical professional. She listened and understood how nervous I was about my problem and carefully explained how the problem could be surgically corrected. Her entire nursing and office staff were outstanding!
Overall Rating: 5.0 2023-08-27
Patient verified via Press Ganey
Dr. Smitherman was always honest with me and gave me good advice. She answered my questions and preformed a surgery that has helped me tremendously with my back issues. She is an excellent doctor and I will follow her to her next clinic since the office is being closed by Providence.

To see all 61 reviews for Dr. Sheila M. Smitherman, MD, view their full profile.

General Payments

These charts describe general payments received by Dr. Sheila M. Smitherman, MD. Doctors may receive payments for a number of reasons, including meal compensation, travel compensation, and consulting.

Payments by Company
Mylan Specialty L.P. $112 Ultiva
$112
DePuy Synthes Sales Inc. $108 VBA
$60 		TRUMATCH
$31 		SYNTHECEL
$17
Masimo Corporation $68 Oximetry Monitoring
$68
Medtronic Sofamor Danek USA, Inc. $27 Cervical and Trauma Therapies
$16 		MAST QUADRANT
$11
Globus Medical, Inc. $24 COALITION
$24
Other $32 Cervical
$17 		Optune
$15
Types of Payments
Food and Beverage $370

Biography

Dr. Sheila Smitherman's medical specialty is spine surgery and neurosurgery. In addition to English, she speaks Spanish. Dr. Smitherman's clinical interests include kyphoplasty (vertebral augmentation), neuroendoscopy, and artificial disc replacement. She is affiliated with Providence St. Peter Hospital. She attended Baylor College of Medicine for medical school and subsequently trained at Baylor University Medical Center for residency. She is rated highly by her patients. Dr. Smitherman usually is in-network for Coventry, CIGNA Plans, and TRICARE, as well as other insurance carriers. Her practice in Olympia, WA is open to new patients as reported by Doctor.com.

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