Timothy R Smith, MD, PhD, MPH

Timothy R Smith, MD, PhD, MPH

Not currently accepting new patients

617-525-3060

4.854815 average rating from 135 patient reviews

Specialties

Affiliation

Mass General Brigham

Provider Locations

  • Boston, MA

Dr. Timothy R. Smith is a neurosurgeon-scientist specializing in brain, skull base, and pituitary tumors. He uses open, minimally invasive, and endoscopic surgical techniques to treat both benign and malignant tumors, including acoustic neuromas, meningiomas, pituitary tumors, craniopharyngiomas, chordomas, pineal region tumors, and metastatic brain tumors.

In addition to his clinical practice, Dr. Smith is Director of the Computational Neuroscience Outcomes Center and Director of Data Science in the Department of Neurosurgery at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. His research combines epidemiology, advanced statistical methods, machine learning, and emerging health-information technologies to predict outcomes, improve clinical decision-making, and optimize care for neurosurgical patients.

Dr. Smith is deeply committed to neurosurgical education. He directs the Endoscopic Skull Base and Pituitary Fellowship and participates actively in the Brigham and Women’s Hospital neurosurgical residency program. He also serves on national and international committees addressing neurosurgical oncology, skull base surgery, medical ethics, physician well-being, and the measurement of neurological outcomes.

He is an active member of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, Congress of Neurological Surgeons, North American Skull Base Society, Society for Neuro-Oncology, and Pituitary Society. He regularly presents his research at national and international meetings, and he has published over 400 peer-reviewed journal articles and several book chapters.

Education & Training

  • Fellowship: Brigham and Women's Hospital, Neurological Surgery, 2015
  • Residency: Northwestern University/Feinberg Medical School, Neurological Surgery, 2014
  • Medical Education: University of California, Los Angeles, Medicine, 2007

Board Certifications

  • Neurological Surgery, American Board of Neurological Surgery

Languages Spoken

  • English

Age Group Treated

  • Adults

Patient Feedback

4.854815 average rating from 135 reviews

  • Dr. Smith asked various questions, and listened attentively to my answers. He was a pleasure to meet and speak with.

    2026-09-05

  • Great Dr. Gave all the information I needed. Kind & smart.

    2026-09-05

  • The virtual appointment went well. I felt very comfortable with Dr. Timothy Smith and that's unusual for me. That was my first time meeting him.

    2026-08-22

  • Dr. Timothy Smith is a caring, competent and responsive physician whom I have no hesitation in recommending.

    2026-08-19

  • An excellent relationship with Dr. Smith. He's very nice, very knowledgeable, and very helpful in helping me get through this procedure.

    2026-08-17

  • He was very nice and informative, and he also seemed concerned about my overall health, not just the tumor that he was looking at. I was very pleased.

    2026-08-03

  • Dr Smith was easy to understand. He answered all questions completely. He obviously knows what he is doing and he made us comfortable in that knowledge

    2026-08-02

  • I felt comfortable with the care provider and feel the doctor explained things well to me.

    2026-08-01

  • Dr. Smith explained everything very clearly with an easy and caring manner.

    2026-08-01

  • Dr Smith took time to listen to what I had to say, and answered all my questions. He explained everything clearly and with confidence.

    2026-07-24

  • Very professional i was very comfortable talking to him

    2026-07-22

  • Super expert doctor

    2026-07-22

  • timely, thorough, prepared, detailed and engaged

    2026-07-18

  • I was very impressed. He spent a full hour with us, explained everything in such great thorough detail, really knew the specifics of my case, was able to connect in and help me understand how we would approach it and spoke candidly, delivering really honest and sometimes hard to hear information, but in a real compassionate way. I would highly recommend him to anyone.

    2026-07-13

  • He was extraordinary, answered all our questions, showed compassion, humility, and just overall sense of relaxation for us.

    2026-07-04

  • I would highly recommend Timothy Smith he is very knowledgeable

    2026-06-20

  • Phone conversation was through. Recommendations to proceed were clear

    2026-06-07

  • Dr. Smith was professional, knowledgeable, kind and efficient. He asked pertinent questions and listened carefully to my concerns. I do not go into brain surgery lightly. At the same time, based on his expertise and a friend's personal experience with him and his surgical team, I feel confident that I am in the best of hands. Thank you, Dr. Smith.

    2026-06-07

  • If I lived closer to Boston, I would make him my primary care. He was so great, made me feel comfortable, and I could ask him anything, and he responded to my liking.

    2026-06-06

  • The doctor that I saw was very professional, funny, he was easygoing and he made sure that I was comfortable with him.

    2026-05-25

  • Dr. Smith was very prompt and very precise with his advice. I appreciate that. And his assistant followed up very nicely on future scheduled tests and appointment. Very good experience all around.

    2026-05-25

  • My surgery went well my scars are almost gone or hard to see. I'm almost back to my normal self.

    2026-05-24

  • He was very personable attentive

    2026-05-23

  • Made me feel at ease and kind too

    2026-05-23

  • I have nothing but good things to say about Dr. Smith. He was responsive. We got set up quickly. Everything that needed to be talked about was patiently, respectfully, knowledgeably. Again, I have nothing but good things to say about Dr. Smith.

    2026-05-11

  • Dr Smith put me right at ease and explained things thoroughly. He was kind and compassionate as well as knowledgeable. Excellent experience!!

    2026-05-09

  • Dr Smith was very pleasant,informative and explained very clearly what my situation is. He was excellent.

    2026-05-09

  • Impressive first visit ,l the patient and my wife were totally satisfied. Already reviewed entire records. Carefully explained entire surgical procedure including pre and post op. care. We feel very comfortable.

    2026-05-05

  • He was so thoughtful and thorough.

    2026-05-02

  • The team from Dr. Timothy Smith's office was AMAZING!

    2026-05-02

  • Very clear, articulate, and helpful. I appreciate the time that he was able to devote to my situation.

    2026-04-26

  • Very good appointment. Dr. Smith was well prepared, explained the situation clearly, and followed up right away.

    2026-04-19

  • This provider is very knowledable

    2026-04-18

  • Dr. Smith listened without rushing me. He explained everything clearly and made sure my goals shaped the treatment plan. I left the appointment feeling heard and confident about next steps.

    2026-04-11

  • He was very personable and professional. He gave us sufficient time. We felt very comfortable.

    2026-04-10

  • I enjoyed meeting Dr. Smith [redacted]

    2026-04-06

  • He was very good. He put me at ease with the concerns that I had.

    2026-04-04

  • Dr. Smith was great, very easy going and easy to talk to. He listened to my concerns and gave me all the information I needed.

    2026-04-04

  • He was knowledgeable about my case and condition.

    2026-03-28

  • All went very well [redacted]. Ty

    2026-03-28

  • I would rate Dr. Smith a 10 out of 10. He's exceptionally gifted. He's a terrific doctor. He always helps me feel at ease, explained everything thoroughly, and I had a complete trust in his abilities. Thank you for allowing him to operate on me and be my doctor.

    2026-03-23

  • Well spoken, extremely knowledgeable, friendly provider. Explained my condition clearly and the options for treatment, including pros and cons. Showed my own imaging to illustrate his points.

    2026-03-15

  • Excellent care, very knowledgeable and extremely professional

    2026-03-08

  • Grateful that Dr. Smith is my surgeon!

    2026-03-07

  • Dr Smith was easy to communicate with and he explained everything very ckearly. He spent a lot of time with me and I was never rushed.

    2026-03-01

  • I'm extremely glad I found him.

    2026-02-15

  • Excellent doctor explained everything thoroughly , I felt totally at ease and confident in a positive outcome

    2026-02-08

  • Thank you!

    2026-01-18

  • There was a quick connection. Humor was appropriate and i came away confident about the care and diagnosis

    2026-01-17

  • Dr. Smith is kind and personal. He makes you feel important as he listens to you. He also shares is knowledge and confidence.

    2026-01-10

  • I feel like Tim won't give up until he figures out with the team what is wrong with me....

    2026-01-10

  • Very good so far

    2026-01-05

  • It was my first visit with Dr. Smith. He asked questions about me, my health to get to know me by phone. He explained the results of my MRI and noted the office will be in touch to schedule my next appointment.

    2026-01-05

  • Dr. Smith was late to the call and he explained why.

    2025-12-23

  • My previous neurosurgeon would go over the lab order results and compare them to the results from the prior test . He would then compare the MRI with the year before and explain the imaging. This new neurosurgeon just said " it looks the same as your last one done " then focused his attention at talking to my husband about what kind of work my husband and did . NEVER did he addressed my test results from the lab work that was done . He also asked me " why I was wearing a mask " my response was " hospitals aren't full of healthy people and I don't want to get sick . I'm sure he is a very intelligent doctor however the appointment was to address my pituitary gland tumor . Not about my husband or what he does for work

    2025-12-22

  • Dr. Smith is competent, trustworthy, compassionate, caring, respectful, realistic, nonjudgemental, provides possible options, and a good listener.

    2025-12-14

  • Great

    2025-12-12

  • Extremely professional, caring and patient

    2025-12-12

  • Dr. Smith and [redacted] are always a pleasure to see and they always are up to listening to anything that my concerns are. [redacted]

    2025-12-01

  • This was my first time seeing Dr Smith and I found it a totally pleasant and professional experience.

    2025-11-16

  • Both medical professionals were patient, inquisitive, and very informative. I did t feel rushed at all

    2025-11-15

  • Dr. Timothy Smith is a worthy successor to [redacted]!

    2025-11-15

  • Dr. Smith was attentive and caring. I didn't feel that I was being talked to in a condescending manner like I have been before.

    2025-11-15

  • Loved the entire visit.

    2025-10-26

  • The office of Timothy R.Smith is outstanding to work with in regard to responding to messages, phone calls, making appointments and explaining information

    2025-10-26

  • Dr. Smith was excellent. He took the time to explain my situation fully, and was incredibly knowledgeable

    2025-10-25

Accepted Insurance

  • Tufts Medicare Preferred
  • Wellpoint
  • Medicaid VT
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicare
  • Fallon Health
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield
  • Medicaid CT
  • Medicaid NH
  • Senior Whole Health
  • Multiplan
  • Medicaid RI
  • Humana
  • Mass General Brigham Health Plan
  • Cigna
  • Beech Street
  • Harvard Pilgrim Health Care
  • United Health Care
  • Commonwealth Care Alliance
  • Tufts Health Plan
  • Coventry
  • Railroad Medicare
  • Medicaid ME
  • MassHealth
  • Aetna
  • Medicare
  • TriCare
  • WellSense