Howard Smith, MD
Primary Location
Cleveland Clinic Main Campus
- Appointment:
- 216.444.5632
- Desk:
- 216.444.4555
- Fax:
- 216.636.7260
Additional Locations
Rheumatologic and Immunologic Disease
Beachwood Family Health Center
26900 Cedar Road
Beachwood, OH 44122
Driving Directions
- Appointment:
- 216.839.3000
- Desk:
- 216.444.4555
- Fax:
- 216.636.7260
Rheumatologic and Immunologic Disease
Stephanie Tubbs Jones Health Center
13944 Euclid Avenue
East Cleveland, OH 44112
Driving Directions
- Appointment:
- 216.767.4242
- Desk:
- 216.444.4555
- Fax:
- 216.636.7260
Treatment & Services
- Administration Of Injectable Medications For Osteoporosis
- Adult Rheumatology
- Arthritic Knee Conditions
- Bone Density Testing
- Clinical Trials
- Cortisone injections
- Diagnosis of Osteoporosis
- Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA)
- General Rheumatology
- General Rheumatology including Lupus
- Hyaluronic acid (HA)
- Hyaluronic acid injections
- Immunoglobulin Infusion
- Infusion Therapy
- Infusions Of Biologic Agents On Site
- Joint Aspiration
- Joint Injections
- Joint Preservation Center
- Medical Management of Early Osteoarthritis
- Medication Management
- Musculoskeletal Evaluation
- Musculoskeletal Medicine
- Musculoskeletal Treatment For Joint Pain
- Orthobiologics
- Rheumatology
- Steroid Injections
- Therapeutic Injections
- Ultrasound-guided Procedures
- Viscosupplementation
- Viscosupplementation Injections
Specialty in Diseases & Conditions
- AIDS & HIV
- Ankylosing Spondylitis
- Antiphospholipid Syndrome
- Arthritic Knee Problems
- Arthritis
- Arthritis of the Foot and Ankle
- Arthritis Of The Hip
- Arthritis Of The Knee
- Arthritis of the Thumb Base
- Arthritis of the Wrist & Hand
- Autoimmune Disease
- Autoinflammatory Syndromes
- Behcet's Disease
- Benign Hypermobility Joint Syndrome
- Buerger's Disease
- Bursitis
- Calcification Tendinitis
- Calcinosis
- Central Nervous System Vasculitis
- Chondrocalcinosis (Pseudo Gout)
- Churg-Strauss Syndrome
- Connective Tissue Diseases
- Connective Tissue Disorders
- Cryoglobulinemia
- Dermatomyositis
- Elbow Arthritis
- Familial Mediterranean Fever
- Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF) Syndrome
- Foot & Ankle Arthritis
- Giant Cell Arteritis
- Gout
- Gout Arthritis
- Granulomatosis with Polyangitis (Wegener’s)
- Hand and Wrist Arthritis
- Hand Pain
- Hand Problems
- Henoch Schonlein Purpura
- Hip Arthritis
- Hip Disorders
- Hip Pain
- Immunodeficiency
- Immunosuppression
- Inflammatory Arthritis
- Iritis
- Joint Pain
- Knee Arthritis
- Knee Joint Disorders
- Knee Pain
- Lupus
- Lupus Anticoagulant
- Lupus Nephritis
- Metabolic Bone Disease
- Metabolic Diseases
- Microscopic Polyangiitis (MPA)
- Musculoskeletal Disorders
- Musculoskeletal Impairments
- Musculoskeletal Pain
- Myositis
- Osteoarthritis
- Osteoarthritis Of The Hips And Knees In The Elderly
- Painful Joints
- Palindromic Rheumatism
- Panuveitis
- Polumyalgia Rheumatica
- Polymyositis
- Pseudogout
- Psoriatic Arthritis
- Radiculopathy
- Raynaud's Phenomenon
- Relapsing Polychondritis
- Retroperitoneal Fibrosis
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Rheumatoid Arthritis and Heart Disease
- Rheumatoid Arthritis: How to Treat
- Sacroilitis
- Sarcoidosis
- Scleritis
- Scleroderma
- Shoulder Arthritis
- Shoulder Pain
- Sjogren's Syndrome
- Spondylitis
- Spondyloarthopathy
- Spondyloarthropathies
- Spondylosis
- Systemic Autoimmune Diseases
- Systemic Lupus
- Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
- Tendinosis
- Tendonitis
- Tenosynovitis
- Trigger Finger
Insurance
Is Cleveland Clinic Part of Your Insurance?
Review a list of accepted insurance plans for our Northeast Ohio locations or learn more about purchasing a contracted managed care plan.
View All PlansEducation & Professional Highlights
Appointed
2011
Education & Fellowships
Fellowship - Warren G. Magnuson Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health
Rheumatology
Bethesda,
MD USA
1985
Residency - VA Boston Medical Center
Internal Medicine
Boston,
MA USA
1980
Internship - VA Boston Medical Center
Boston,
MA USA
1978
Medical Education - Boston University School of Medicine
Boston,
MA USA
1977
Certifications
- Internal Medicine
- Internal Medicine - Rheumatology
Specialty Interests
Arthritis, lupus, Sjogren’s Syndrome, myositis, polymyalgia rheumatica, scleroderma, ankylosing spondylitis
Research & Publications
See publications for Howard Smith, 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 6/2/2021, Dr. Smith 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.
184 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 | |
|---|---|---|
| Explains | 4.8 | |
| Courtesy, Respect & Concern | 4.8 | |
| Patient Rating of Doctor | 4.8 |
36 Patient Comments
© 2021 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.
Reviewed on Apr 27, 2021
Dr. Smith took the time to review my chart pertaining to my concerns.
Reviewed on Apr 15, 2021
Doctor Howard Smith is my favorite doctor, he is very alert on my symptoms and helps me a lot on managing my disease... very experience doctor!
Reviewed on Apr 14, 2021
Dr. Smith is always respectful, kind and listens to my concerns.
Reviewed on Feb 26, 2021
Dr. Smith is always polite and of course very competent.
Reviewed on Feb 23, 2021
Dr. Smith is an amazing, caring physician and Cleveland Clinic should be very proud of having him as one of their physicians.
Reviewed on Jan 25, 2021
Great Doctor does take awhile to get documents from example my virtual appt was 5 days ago and my lab work letter has still not been added to my chart
Reviewed on Jan 25, 2021
I have an as yet undiagnosed autoimmune disease. I've lost my hearing and drastically impaired my balance. There are other painful inflammations. My bloodwork is wonky and my Doctors requested the expertise of the Doctors available through Cleveland Clinic.
Reviewed on Jan 12, 2021
I always feel as though Dr. Smith genuinely has my best interests and health in mind.
Reviewed on Dec 16, 2020
Dr. Smith is the absolute best - I am alive and thriving today because of Dr. Smith and the team he put together to work on my case.
Reviewed on Dec 15, 2020
Dr. Smith is the kindest, most compassionate provider that I have ever seen. I feel privileged to be his patient. He consistently listens carefully and always explains rationale for my treatment plan. He is always available and responds quickly to inquiries and always follows up when he says he will. I cannot say enough to adequately represent my positive experience as his patient.
Reviewed on Dec 14, 2020
Dr. Smith ALWAYS goes out if his way to accommodate me as I am a school teacher and am not always able to get time off early for appointments.
Reviewed on Dec 14, 2020
Dr. Smith is awesome and has been so helpful with my conditions.
Reviewed on Nov 25, 2020
Dr. Smith provided very clear and concise information about my diagnosis as well as options if the current medication is not working as well as expected. I have seen 3 physicians for this condition over the years and the information he provided was excellent.
Reviewed on Nov 23, 2020
Dr Smith is a great doctor to have helping you, he really does care about his patients and he is very knowledgeable, that is really hard to find.
Reviewed on Nov 13, 2020
I was very impressed with Dr. Smith. He was respectful, thorough, kind, patient and took a lot of time with me.
Reviewed on Nov 12, 2020
Dr. Smith was wonderful. He was very reassuring and provided great information and data.
Reviewed on Nov 10, 2020
Dr Smith is one of the nicest, most cordial doctors I've seen. I think he's fantastic.
Reviewed on Nov 10, 2020
always a great experience with dr smith
Reviewed on Oct 30, 2020
Dr. Smith rocks!
Reviewed on Oct 30, 2020
Dr. Howard Smith is an excellent doctor.
Reviewed on Oct 29, 2020
He is a great doctor.
Reviewed on Oct 28, 2020
good experience dr smith and his assistant were very nice and informative willing to answer questions.
Reviewed on Oct 15, 2020
excellent physician
Reviewed on Oct 13, 2020
Dr. Smith was absolutely excellent. I truly felt like I came in with very vague complaints and he offered reassurance and explained all of the testing he ordered. I truly felt like he left nothing unaddressed. He really took his time with me, and I did not feel rushed. He answered every question I had. I would recommend him to anyone!
Reviewed on Oct 13, 2020
I recommend Dr. Smith to my family and patients with autoimmune disease, his expertise and empathy is unsurpassed.
Reviewed on Sep 30, 2020
Dr Smith was very good when ever I visit him. Great Doctor.
Reviewed on Sep 29, 2020
Dr. Smith is awesome! The lady who did my echocardiogram was very nice and explained everything very well.
Reviewed on Aug 28, 2020
wonderful doctor, first time I have really felt confident in my provider and that they cared!
Reviewed on Aug 18, 2020
Dr. Smith is an amazing doctor and I have so much respect for him, the Cleveland Clinic should be very proud to have Dr. Smith as a provider.
Reviewed on Aug 18, 2020
Dr. Smith is an excellent doctor and more doctors would do well to follow in his ways. His genuine concern for his patients is outstanding.
Reviewed on Jul 30, 2020
This was our first visit to this Doctor so the questions with the "fair" ratings really don't apply at this time.
Reviewed on Jul 13, 2020
Dr. Smith always provides excellent care with courtesy, helpfulness, and professionalism.
Reviewed on Jun 23, 2020
Dr. Howard Smith is an outstanding rheumatologist. I appreciate his knowledge, expertise, compassion, and caring.
Reviewed on Jun 23, 2020
Dr. Smith was exceptional. He spent so much time with me, asking questions about my health and actually listening to my concerns. Every recommendation he made, regarding change of medication or seeing other specialists, was well explained. He is one of those few physicians who takes the time and patience to really get to know and understand his patients. I would definitely recommend him.
Reviewed on Jun 10, 2020
this doctor is very good
Reviewed on Jun 9, 2020
Dr. Smith was amazing he answered all my questions very polite. Dr. Smith extremely helpful very detailed with what I needed to know.