Samuel Szomstein, MD

Under the Leadership of Raul Rosenthal, MD and Samuel Szomstein, MD, the Section of Minimally Invasive Surgery (SMIS) and The Bariatric and Metabolic Institute (BMI) at Cleveland Clinic Florida has over 17 full time staff members exclusively dedicated to the care and well being of surgical and morbidly obese patients.

Our staff is multilingual and diverse in ethnicity. Languages spoken fluently are English, Spanish and German. The surgeons operate exclusively at Cleveland Clinic Florida.

This multidisciplinary approach as well as their experience and outcomes are the reason why The Section of Minimally Invasive Surgery and The Bariatric and Metabolic Institute have been named Center of Excellence by the Surgical Review Corporation and the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgeons, The American College of Surgeons and The Fellowship Council. Close to 1000 General Surgery and Bariatric procedures are performed on a yearly basis by our team. Over 4,000 Bariatric Surgeries have been performed to date at the BMI making it the largest bariatric program in the state of Florida.

Medical research and Education are also cornerstones of the SMIS and BMI.

Over 400 publications including scientific papers, posters, abstracts, book chapters, educational videos and textbooks have been published by the SMIS and BMI.

Under the guidance of Dr. Rosenthal and Dr. Szomstein the Section of Minimally Invasive Surgery and the Bariatric and Metabolic Institute have one of the largest training programs in the USA, mentoring four clinical and four research fellows on a yearly basis. Over the last 10 years, more than 50 fellows trained at our institution.

Fellows that come to Cleveland Clinic Florida from around the globe are involved in both national and international research in the field of obesity, minimally invasive and endoscopic surgical techniques. Both, Dr. Rosenthal and Dr. Szomstein are invited speakers to national and international conferences and have conducted over 11 FDA trials.

Education & Professional Highlights

Appointed
2001

Education & Fellowships

Fellowship - Cleveland Clinic Florida
Laparoscopic Surgery (minimally invasive surgery)
Weston, FL USA
2002

Residency - New York Hospital Medical Center of Queens
Surgery
Flushing, NY USA
2001

Residency - Long Island Jewish Medical Center
Surgery
New Hyde Park, NY USA
1997

Internship - Long Island Jewish Medical Center
Surgery
New Hyde Park, NY USA
1996

Medical Education - Universidad Central de Venezuela
Caracas, Venezuela
1993

Professional Highlights

Center and Surgeon of Excellence of The American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS)
Center and Surgeon of Excellence of The American College of Surgeons (ACS)
Full accreditation by The Fellowship Council in Minimally Invasive and Bariatric Surgery

Certifications

Surgery - General Surgery

Specialty Interests

Abdominal wall hernia, bariatric surgery, flexible endoscopy, metabolic surgery, minimally invasive surgery

Awards & Honors

Physician of the Year Award, by Cleveland Clinic Hospital in the category of Service. March 2004.
Physician of the Quarter Award, by Cleveland Clinic Hospital in the category of Growth. 3rd Quarter 2003.
Physician's Recognition Award, by The American Medical Association, March 2003.
Certificate of Excellence, by the Cleveland Clinic Florida Operating Room Operations Committee, for outstanding performance and exceptional commitment to the efficiency of the operating room. April 2007.
Innovator Award, by Cleveland Clinic for commitment to bring new technology to patients worldwide.(Rectal desimpactor device) June 2007.
Innovator Award, by Cleveland Clinic for commitment to bring new technology to patients worldwide.(Bariatric orogastric anastomotic suturing tube and Esophageal double suction isolator tube) June 2006.
"America's Top Surgeons," by the Consumers Research Council of America. 2004-2005 edition. Washington, DC.
"America's Top Surgeons," by the Consumers Research Council of America. 2005-2006 edition. Washington, DC.
Leadership Award, voted by fellow residents and attendings of The New York Hospital of Queens for the greatest contribution to the quality and life of the residency program, July 2001.

Innovations & Patents

Innovator Award, by Cleveland Clinic for commitment to bring new technology to patients worldwide. (Rectal desimpactor device) June 2007.
Innovator Award, by Cleveland Clinic for commitment to bring new technology to patients worldwide. (Bariatric orogastric anastomotic suturing tube and Esophageal double suction isolator tube) June 2006.

Memberships

Fellow, American College of Surgeons
Council Member, South Florida Chapter of the American College of Surgeons
Member, American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS)
Member, American Hernia Society
Member, Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES)
Member, The Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract (SSAT)
Member, American Obesity Association

Research & Publications

See publications for Samuel Szomstein, MD.

(Disclaimer: This search is powered by PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine. PubMed is a third-party website with no affiliation with Cleveland Clinic.)

Industry Relationships

Cleveland Clinic physicians and scientists may collaborate with the pharmaceutical or medical device industries to help develop medical breakthroughs or provide medical expertise or education. Cleveland Clinic strives to make scientific advances that will benefit patient care and support outside relationships that promise public benefit. In order for the discoveries of Cleveland Clinic physicians' and scientists' laboratories and investigations to benefit the public, these discoveries must be commercialized in partnership with industry. As experts in their fields, Cleveland Clinic physicians and scientists are often sought after by industry to consult, provide expertise and education.

To assure professional and commercial integrity in such matters, Cleveland Clinic maintains a program that reviews these collaborations and, when appropriate, puts measures in place to minimize bias that may result from ties to industry. Cleveland Clinic publicly discloses the names of companies when (i) its physicians/scientists receive $5,000 or more per year (or, in rare cases, equity or stock options) for speaking and consulting, (ii) its physicians/scientists serve as a fiduciary, (iii) its physicians/scientists receive or have the right to receive royalties or (iv) its physicians/ scientists hold any equity interest for the physician's/scientist's role as inventor, discoverer, developer, founder or consultant.* In publicly disclosing this information, Cleveland Clinic tries to provide information as accurately as possible about its physicians' and scientists' connections with industry.

As of 1/1/2024, Dr. Szomstein has reported no financial relationship with industry that is applicable to this listing. In general, patients should feel free to contact their doctor about any of the relationships and how the relationships are overseen by Cleveland Clinic. To learn more about Cleveland Clinic's policies on collaborations with industry and innovation management, go to our Integrity in Innovation page.

Public Health Service-Reportable Financial Conflicts of Interest. Cleveland Clinic scientists and physicians engage in basic, translational and clinical research activities, working to solve health problems, enhance patient care and improve quality of life for patients. Interactions with industry are essential to bringing the researchers' discoveries to the public, but can present the potential for conflicts of interest related to their research activities. Click here to view a listing of instances where Cleveland Clinic has identified a Public Health Service (PHS)-Reportable Financial Conflict of Interest and has put measures in place to ensure that, to the extent possible, the design, conduct and reporting of the research is free from bias.

* Cleveland Clinic physicians and scientists subscribe to the guidance presented in the PhRMA Code on Interactions with Healthcare Professionals and the AdvaMed Code of Ethics on Interactions with Health Care Professionals. As such, gifts of substantial value are generally prohibited.

Patient Satisfaction Reviews

180 Patient Satisfaction Reviews

The Patient Satisfaction Rating is an average of all responses to the care provider related questions shown below from our nationally-recognized Press Ganey Patient Satisfaction Survey. Patients that are treated in outpatient or hospital environments may receive different surveys, and the volume of responses will vary by question.

Responses are measured on a scale of 1 to 5 with 5 being the best score.

The comments are submitted by patients and reflect their views and opinions. The comments are not endorsed by and do not necessarily reflect the views of Cleveland Clinic.

Overall		Star Ratings 4.8 out of 5
Explains	4.8
Listens	4.9
Courtesy, Respect & Concern	4.8
Patient Rating of Doctor	4.8

15 Patient Comments

Reviewed on Mar 16, 2024

Dr Samuel Szomstein is extremely skillful, talented and professional with an excellent bed side manner.

Reviewed on Mar 13, 2024

I found Dr Szomstein to be very knowledgeable, courteous and legitimately interested in helping me. He made me feel confident that I had. One to the right place for help.

Reviewed on Feb 22, 2024

Dr Rodrigues was super Very calming and informative!

Reviewed on Feb 13, 2024

No one wants to be in a hospital but Cleveland clinic makes the experience much better. Dr. Szomstein and the entire team including the ER team show a level of care of their patients. Thank you

Reviewed on Dec 14, 2023

Dr Szomstein did my gastric bypass in 2003. Throughout the years, as with my current emergency care, he has consistently been attentive, kind, courteous, thorough and a great human being!

Reviewed on Oct 30, 2023

Doc was able to ease my anxiety (which was at an 11) and treat me like a well deserving patient. He did not talk down to me and had another doctor alongside him giving his opinions as well.

Reviewed on Oct 16, 2023

Desk staff were kind, considerate and professional. Doctor Szomstein was also very kind and professional. His staff were also kind and considerate.

Reviewed on Sep 28, 2023

Dr. Szomstein is an excellent physician and very thorough

Reviewed on Sep 20, 2023

Both Dr. Samuel Szomstein and his assistant were down to Earth and talked with us instead of at ous. I felt very confident in both the doctor and assistant that were going to perform the surgery as required.

Reviewed on Sep 11, 2023

Both doctors were very nice and answered my questions. Also explained the procedures that I may want to consider and the benefits and risks with both. Also they discussed alternatives if I turned out not to be a candidate for the procedure, I was interested in.

Reviewed on Aug 17, 2023

I am very impressed it being my first time there, quality service and pleasant staffs.The doctors I saw are excellent I leave there feeling real good.

Reviewed on Jul 17, 2023

We are very Satisfied and will defiantly recomend Dr Szomstein.

Reviewed on Jul 10, 2023

My first visit with this doctor and I am very impressed and glad he will be doing my surgery

Reviewed on Jun 29, 2023

Doctor is very experienced. Gave me several options for my problem.

Reviewed on Jun 22, 2023

I love Dr. Szomstein! Great guy!

View All Comments

© 2024 The Cleveland Clinic Foundation. All Rights Reserved. No part of this work may be altered, reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, by any means, whether electronic, mechanical, by photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the Cleveland Clinic.

Coming to a Cleveland Clinic location?

Primary Location

Weston Hospital

Additional Locations

Treatment & Services

Specialty in Diseases & Conditions

Insurance

Is Cleveland Clinic Florida Part of Your Insurance?

About Samuel Szomstein, MD