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Department Bariatric and Metabolic Institute (BMI)
Primary Location Cleveland Clinic Weston Hospital
Type of Doctor Adults Only
Languages English, Hebrew, Spanish
Surgeon Yes
Locations Specialties & Treatments

Treatment & Services

  • Bariatric Surgery
  • Complex Abdominal Hernia Repair
  • Endoscopy
  • Esophageal Motility Testing
  • Gastric Bypass Surgery for Weight Loss
  • Gastric Bypass Surgery with Focus on Reflux Disease
  • Gastrointestinal Endoscopy
  • Gastrointestinal Surgery
  • Hernia Surgery
  • Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy
  • Laparoscopic Hernia Surgery
  • Laparoscopic Incisional Hernia Repair
  • Laparoscopic Inguinal Hernia Repair
  • Laparoscopic Surgery
  • Minimally Invasive Surgery
  • Nutritional Management After Bariatric Surgery
  • Weight Loss Surgery
  • Wound Care
View all 18 Treatment & Services +

Specialty in Diseases & Conditions

  • Abdominal Hernia
  • Abdominal Pain
  • Achalasia
  • Bile Duct Stones
  • Diaphragmatic Hernia
  • Esophageal Cancer
  • Esophageal Motility Disorders
  • Gallbladder Disease
  • Gastroesophageal Reflux (GERD)
  • Hernias
  • Hiatal Hernia
  • Inguinal Hernia
  • Obesity
  • Ventral Hernia
View all 14 Specialties +
Insurance

Insurance

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Biography

About 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

Education & Professional Highlights

Appointed
2001

Education & Fellowships

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

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

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

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

Medical Education - Universidad Central de Venezuela
Caracas,
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

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

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 7/30/2024, Dr. Szomstein has reported the financial relationships with the companies listed below. 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.

Consulting and/or Speaking. Dr. Szomstein receives fees of $5,000 or more per year (or, in rare cases, equity or stock options) as a paid consultant, speaker or as a member of an advisory committee for the following companies:

  • Lilly USA, LLC

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

157 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
4.9 out of 5
Explains 4.8
Listens 4.7
Courtesy, Respect & Concern 4.9
Patient Rating of Doctor 4.9

14 Patient Comments

Reviewed on Nov 1, 2024

Both Dr. Li and Dr. Szomstein were extremely helpful in answering all of my questions and putting me at ease throughout the visit.

Reviewed on Nov 1, 2024

Dr Szomstein is VERY good.

Reviewed on Oct 7, 2024

Dr was great made me feel at ease

Reviewed on Sep 18, 2024

Dr. Szomstein has a very good support team to assist scheduling appointments with him!

Reviewed on Sep 18, 2024

The video visit experience was VERY GOOD with Dr. Szomstein, but it is better to see him in person. However, while being abroad, this video visit is/was extremely good!! It is a very good tool to see Dr. Szomstein and listen to his care instructions, directly from him through the video visit.

Reviewed on Aug 21, 2024

Good service, Dr. Very professional

Reviewed on Aug 21, 2024

Very good doctor

Reviewed on Jul 17, 2024

Dr. Szomstein and all staff members were extremely professional, courteous, and knowledgeable about my condition. I feel I am in great care with this medical team to address my issue. I am completely satisfied with my experience and care at Cleveland Clinic. Thank you immensely. I am truly blessed to have such excellent care.

Reviewed on May 1, 2024

Dr. Szomstein is phenomenal and really took the time to explain and answer all my questions.

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!

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