Dr. Erin Smith

Dr. Erin Smith is a highly esteemed, double-board-certified physician and surgeon who is strongly dedicated to enhancing facial aesthetics through cosmetic and reconstructive surgery. As the co-director of the prestigious Buckingham Center for Facial Plastic Surgery in Austin, Texas, Dr. Smith has garnered recognition for her expertise in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery, bolstered by her advanced fellowship training at the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery in Beverly Hills, California, under the mentorship of world renowned surgeons.

Facial Plastic Surgeon In Austin, Texas

In addition to her clinical practice, Dr. Smith is actively engaged in research and education, holding leadership positions and participating in various committees within professional medical societies. She has presented her research findings at national and international conferences and has contributed to several publications in esteemed medical journals.

Dr. Smith's dedication extends beyond the operating room as she volunteers her time to mentorship, community outreach, and alumni associations. Outside of medicine, she enjoys traveling, live music, being outdoors, and spending quality time with her family, including her husband, three daughters, and their German Shepherd.

Medical Education & Training

Dr. Erin Smith's journey towards becoming a distinguished facial plastic surgeon began with her undergraduate studies at the University of Mississippi, where she was a member of the honors college and double-majored in Biochemistry and Psychology, earning magna cum laude honors and distinctions such as Phi Beta Kappa. After college, she obtained a Masters in Neuroscience from Tulane University and then completed her Doctor of Medicine from the University of Mississippi School of Medicine, graduating as Cum laude (top 5% of class) and a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha and Gold Humanism honor societies.

Dr. Smith then went on to complete 6 years of surgical training, including a Head and Neck Surgery residency at the University of Mississippi Medical Center and an accredited Fellowship through the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive surgery in Beverly Hills, California, under the mentorship of Dr. Paul Nassif, Dr. Babak Azizzadeh, and Dr. Guy Massry. During her training, she gained expertise in various procedures and treated patients worldwide. She now specializes in advanced surgical and non-surgical approaches to help restore a natural youthful appearance, restore facial symmetry, and enhance self-confidence.

Current Position

Buckingham Center for Facial Plastic Surgery, Austin, TX – Co-Director

Award-Winning Surgeon

Dr. Smith received the esteemed Castle Connolly Rising Star Award in 2022 and 2023, followed by the Castle Connolly Top Doctor Award in 2024. This distinction acknowledges the top 7% of physicians nationwide across all medical disciplines for their exceptional achievements and commitment to medicine. She also received the 2024 Ole Miss 40 under 40 award. Dr. Smith has contributed to several peer-reviewed journal publications and book chapters and has showcased her research at medical conferences nationwide. She is an active member of the AAFPRS Women in Facial Plastic Surgery and the FACE to FACE committees.

An Expert in Facial Anatomy

Dr. Smith then completed an accredited American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery fellowship in Beverly Hills, California, with world-renowned surgeons Dr. Paul Nassif, star of the show “Botched,” and Dr. Babak Azizzadeh, the founder of the Facial Paralysis Institute and Center for Advanced Facial Plastic Surgery. While there, she treated patients from all over the world and gained expertise in facial paralysis surgery, primary and revision rhinoplasty, face and neck lift, lip lift, eyelid and eyebrow surgery, and skin cancer reconstruction.

She developed a passion for treating patients suffering from facial nerve disorders, including Bell’s Palsy and synkinesis, and specializes in cutting-edge surgical and non-surgical techniques to restore symmetry, attractiveness, and overall self-confidence in these individuals. She also studied under some of the world’s leading oculoplastic surgeons and cosmetic dermatologists while in Beverly Hills and has extensive training in non-surgical treatments, including BOTOX, fillers, lasers, skin tightening technologies, and hair restoration.

Board Certification & Licensure

Dr. Erin Smith double board certified in both facial plastic and reconstructive surgery and head and neck surgery, underscoring her expertise and proficiency in these specialized fields. She has had a Texas medical license since 2020 and maintains her Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) and Basic Cardiac Life Support (BLS) certifications.

Honors & Awards

May 2023 Castle Connolly Rising Star Award

May 2022 Castle Connolly Rising Star Award

Sept 2013 Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society

July 2013 Gold Humanism Honor Society

April 2013 Thomas M. (Peter) Blake, MD Award

July 2012 Alpha Omega Alpha Junior Initiate, UMC School of Medicine Chapter

Leadership Positions: Vice President, Chair of Faculty of the Year Selection Committee, Member of Application Development Committee

June 2012 AMA Foundations Scholarship

April 2012 Douglas Wills Memorial Scholarship

Education

2019-2020
Fellow, American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Beverly Hills, CA
Fellow to: Dr. Paul Nassif at Nassif MD, Dr. Babak Azizzadeh at Center for Advanced Facial Plastic Surgery, and The Facial Paralysis Institute

2014-2019
University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS
Residency Program in Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Chief Resident, Chair of Chief Residents’ Council

2010-2014
University of Mississippi, School of Medicine, Jackson, MS
MD, May 2014 Honors: Cum Laude (top 5% of class)

2008-2009
Tulane University, New Orleans, LA
Masters of Science, Neuroscience, May 2009, GPA: 3.97

2003-2007
University of Mississippi, University, MS
Bachelor of Arts, Majors: Biochemistry, Psychology, Minor: Biology
GPA: 3.95, Honors: Magna Cum Laude, Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors
College, Phi Beta Kappa, Chancellors Honor Roll, Tri-Beta, Chi Psi, Gamma
Beta Phi

1999-2003
Hancock High School, MS Honors: Valedictorian (1/210)

Professional Memberships

American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Member 2018-present
- Committees: Women in Facial Plastic Surgery, FACE to FACE committee
American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, July 2014- present
American Medical Association, Member, August 2010-present

Other Memberships and Volunteer Experience

Los Angeles Facial Plastic Surgery Journal Club, Host and organizer, 2020
UMMC Medical Center Chief Resident Council Co-Chair, June 2018- May 2019
Facial Plastic and Reconstruction Education Committee, AAO-HNS, Member- Oct 2017-October 2018
UMMC Residents’ Council, Member, July 2017- May 2019
Step 1 Prep Tutor, 2012-2013
Student Clinician Ceremony Planning Committee 2012 and 2013
Tar Wars, Student instructor, 2011
New School of Medicine Student Planning Committee, 2011
M2 Ethics Committee Member, 2011
Carl G Evers Society, Treasurer, M3 Class Coordinator, Sep 2010- 2012
Medical School Curriculum Sub-Committee Member, 2011-2013
Jackson Free Clinic, Volunteer 2010-2014
Peer Tutor, Biochemistry, Gross Anatomy, & Microbiology, Aug 2011-2012
Midtown Urology Community Outreach Program Co-Director, 2007-2008
Medical Mission Trip, Volunteer, Montero, Bolivia, 2006
Undergraduate: American Medical Student Association (Chapter Secretary), Ole Miss Ambassador; Student Alumni Council; Alpha Epsilon Delta (premed), Delta Gamma sorority (Special Events Director), Habitat for Humanity

Research

August 2020-present
Fellow Research Co-Director at Buckingham Center for Facial Plastic Surgery: Help facilitate the AAFPRS fellowship projects at our center

July 2019-June 2020
Fellow Research: Participated in various facial plastic surgery research projects. See presentations and publications below.

July 2014-June 2019
Resident Research: Participated in various otolaryngology research projects. See presentations and publications below.

May 2011- 2014
Medical Student Research Program Scholar
UMC School of Medicine, School of Medicine, Jackson, MS

Design and conduct clinical and basic science research projects

Nov 2009 – Jul 2010
Clinical Research Coordinator
Tulane School of Medicine, Department of Urology, New Orleans, LA

Design, conduct, and manage academia-based research
Prepare IRB packages, grants, & research budgets
Patient screening, consent, interviews, recruitment, follow-up
Perform physical data collection (phlebotomy, UA, ECG)
Administer study medication / Drug inventory & accountability
Coordinate and oversee medical student research team

Feb 2008 – Aug 2008
Clinical Research Coordinator
Department of Medical Research, Private Practice, Atlanta, GA

Design, conduct, & manage practice-based research
Train & oversee research department interns

Dec 2005 – May 2007
Psychopharmacology Laboratory Research Assistant
University of Mississippi, University, MS

Completed research for SMB Honors College Thesis
Collect, compile, analyze, & present data to a committee of faculty & peers
Conduct studies on anxiety, panic, pain, depression, & social attachment
Create protocol and experimental design according to IUCAC guidelines

May 2006- Aug 2006
Neuroscience Laboratory Research Assistant
CPN, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS

Investigate the effects of REM sleep on brain maturation in young rats
Perform stereotaxic EEG/EMG implantation surgeries; analyze recordings

Pending Publications

Nassif P & Smith EJ. “Correction of Saddle Nose Deformities.” Submitted for publication Master Techniques in Rhinoplasty, pending new edition publication 2024.

Publications

Christopher LH, Slattery WH, Smith EJ, Larian B, & Azizzadeh B. Facial Nerve Management in Patients with Malignant Skull Base Tumors. Journal of Neuro-oncology, October 2020.

Azizzadeh B, Fitzgerald R, Massry G, & Smith EJ. “Subunit Approach to Facelifting and Facial Rejuvenation.” Facelift Surgical Techniques. Facial Plastic Surgery Clinics. April 2020.

Nassif P & Smith EJ. “Use of the Diced Cartilage Glue Graft in Rhinoplasty.” Functional and Reconstructive Rhinoplasty. Rhinoplasty Archive. February 2020.

Smith EJ, Lange J, Moore C, Eid I, Jackson L, Monico J. The Role of Intravenous Acetaminophen in Post-Operative Pain Control in Head and Neck Cancer Patients. Laryngoscope investigative otolaryngology. 2019 Apr;4(2):250-4.

Smith EJ, Bishop CE, Spankovich C, Su D, Valle K, Schweinfurth JM. The relationship of cardiometabolic risk and auditory processing in African Americans: The Jackson Heart Study. Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, Dec 2018. 0194599818816090.

Smith EJ & Stringer S. Current perioperative practice patterns for minimizing surgical site infection during rhinologic procedures. Int Forum Allergy Rhinol. 2014 Dec;4(12):1002-7. doi: 10.1002/alr.21395.

Smith EJ, Rezeanu L, Carron J. Case presentation of soft tissue parapharyngeal chondroma in a pediatric patient, Am J Otolaryngol–Head and Neck Med and Surg (2013), http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.amjoto.2013.08.010.

Smith EJ, Urencio M, Xu J, Caskey RC, Morris MW, Wu W, Dorsett-Martin W, Zhang L, Mitchell ME, Liechty KW. The Progressive Decline in Diabetic Skin Integrity Is Associated With Decreased Collagen Protein Content and Dysregulation of MicroRNA-29a. Journal of Surgical Research – February 2012 (Vol. 172, Issue 2, Page 247, DOI: 10.1016/j.jss.2011.11.393).

Conley SP, Feige AM, Sartor EA, Johnson EK, Lee BR. Near-Infrared Tissue Oximetry: A Pilot Study for Intraoperative Monitoring and Quantitation of Renal Ischemia During Partial Nephrectomy. Journal of Endourology Part B, Videourology. September 2010, 24. doi: 10.1089/vid.2010.0112

Presentations

Smith, EJ. Aging Through the Decades. Buckingham Center for Facial Plastic Surgery. Office Seminar. 2023.

Nassif P, Fredericks J, Shtraks J, & Smith EJ. “Diced Cartilage Fascia Grafting: The Past, the Present, the Future: The Diced Cartilage Glue Graft.” Society for Rhinoplasty Surgeons of South Africa (SORSSA). Zoom webinar. April 15, 2020.

Smith EJ & Azizzadeh B. Facial Anatomic Subunit Analysis: A Novel Facial Rejuvenation Algorithm. Presented as a podium presentation at the American Academy of Facial Plastic Surgery annual meeting in San Diego, California, in October 2019.

Smith EJ, Lange J, Moore C, Eid I, Jackson L, Monico J. The Role of Intravenous Acetaminophen in Post-Operative Pain Control in Head and Neck Cancer Patients. Presented as a podium presentation at the Combined Otolaryngology Section Meeting in Washington D.C., April 18, 2018.

Smith EJ, Jackson L, & Eid I. Case matched comparison of the ulnar fasciocutaneous free flap to the radial fasciocutaenous free flap for reconstruction of head and neck defects. Presented at the AAO-HNSF Meeting in October 2018.

Smith EJ, Bishop C, Spankovich C, Su D, Hamadain E, & Schweinfurth J. Relationship between cardiometabolic risk factors and auditory processing in African Americans: The Jackson Heart Study. Presented at AAO-HNS Meeting. September 2017.

Smith EJ & Stringer S. Current perioperative practice patterns for minimizing surgical site infection during rhinologic procedures. Presented at the Combined Otolaryngology Section Meeting in May 2014.

Smith EJ, Pavlov AK, Hutcheson EL, Arnold PB. A single-surgeon quality improvement study comparing the complication rate in obese and non-obese women who underwent bilateral breast reduction. Department of Medicine Research Day, April 4, 2013.

Smith EJ, Urencio JM, Xu J, Caskey RC, Morris MW, Wu W, Zhang L, Dorsett-Martin W, Mitchell ME, Liechty KW. The Role of the Extracellular Matrix (ECM) in the Pathogenesis of Diabetic Wounds. Medical Student Research Program Research Day. Jackson, MS March 22, 2012.

Smith EJ, Urencio JM, Xu J, Caskey RC, Morris MW, Wu W, Zhang L, Dorsett-Martin W, Mitchell ME, Liechty KW. The Progressive Decline in Diabetic Skin Integrity is Associated with Decreased Collagen Protein Content and Dysregulation of MicroRNA-29a. The Academic Surgical Congress. February 13, 2012.

Johnson, EK, Sufka KJ. Influence of Carrageenan-Induced Nociception on Separation-Induced Distress Vocalizations and hyperthermia in domestic fowl chicks. Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College thesis defense. Oxford, MS May 2007.

Johnson, EK. Shaffery JP. Norepinephrine and the Role of REM Sleep in Brain Maturation in Rats. Neuroscience Summer Scholars Program. Jackson, MS July 2006.