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Dr. Joseph Smucker, MD

Dr. Joseph Smucker, MD

Orthopedic Spine Surgery*
25+ years of experience

Dr. Joseph Smucker, MD is an orthopedic spine surgeon in Carmel, IN and has over 25 years of experience in the medical field. He graduated from Indiana University School of Medicine in 1999. He is affiliated with medical facilities such as Ascension St. Vincent Carmel and Ascension St. Vincent Hospital-Indianapolis. He is accepting new patients and telehealth appointments.

3.7 Star Rating
Based on 25 reviews 3.7 Star Rating (25 reviews)

Practice

13225 N Meridian St Carmel, IN 46032
Telehealth available

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Compare with other Orthopedic Spine Surgeons

Compare Dr. Smucker with our nearby Orthopedic Spine Surgeons at Hendricks Regional Health.

Make an appointment at Hendricks Regional Health today at
(317) 451-5008.

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Dr. Smucker's Reviews

Likelihood to recommend Dr. Smucker

3.7
25 ratings, 15 with a written review
5 star
68%
68%
4 star
0%
0%
3 star
0%
0%
2 star
0%
0%
1 star
32%
32%

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Compassionate and Professional
My wife had a laminoplasty done on five cervical vertebrae by Dr. Smucker. He and his staff spent hours with us, making sure we understood the surgery and the potential complications. Never rushed. Listens well, and checks for understanding.
What went well
  • Appointment scheduling
  • Listened & answered questions
  • Explained conditions well
  • Staff friendliness
  • Appointment wasn't rushed
  • Trusted the provider's decisions
  • Wait times
What could be improved
No results
Helpful
Jun 10, 2024
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L1 - L5 Fusion
After 5 years, my lumbar fusion is still great! Thank you Dr. Smucker.
What went well
No results
What could be improved
No results
1 other person found this helpful
Helpful
Jim Davis – Aug 11, 2023
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None
Terrible! After second surgery on spine left husband with drop foot that kept him from walking ever again..as time went on he became scooter bound and gained weight which impacted his health and quality of life. He was angry everytime he tried to function by lifting his legs and feet to get into his mobility device. Came to hate the doctor and the condition in which the doctor caused. Do not let this doctor touch you!
What went well
  • Staff friendliness
What could be improved
  • Didn't trust the provider's decisions
Helpful
Apr 28, 2023
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I went to four orthopedic doctors before I saw Dr Smucker and he actually listened to me. After several tests he determined that the issue was not in my back but continued to support me by recommending an orthopedic surgeon and making himself available for support.
What went well
  • Office environment
  • Appointment scheduling
  • Listened & answered questions
  • Explained conditions well
  • Staff friendliness
  • Appointment wasn't rushed
  • Trusted the provider's decisions
  • Wait times
What could be improved
No results
1 other person found this helpful
Helpful
Nov 23, 2021
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Visit was fine. Met with PA Jaclyn. She was very thorough and answered all my questions. The over an hour wait was a bit much.
What went well
  • Office environment
  • Appointment scheduling
  • Listened & answered questions
  • Explained conditions well
  • Staff friendliness
  • Appointment wasn't rushed
  • Trusted the provider's decisions
What could be improved
  • Long wait times
2 others found this helpful
Helpful
marsha – Jun 13, 2021
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Had surgery fusion
What went well
  • Office environment
  • Appointment scheduling
  • Listened & answered questions
  • Explained conditions well
  • Staff friendliness
  • Appointment wasn't rushed
  • Trusted the provider's decisions
  • Wait times
What could be improved
No results
1 other person found this helpful
Helpful
John Mclennan – May 26, 2021
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Dr Smucker is very compaasionate and an excellent spine surgeon . I would highly recommend him.
What went well
  • Office environment
  • Appointment scheduling
  • Listened & answered questions
  • Explained conditions well
  • Staff friendliness
  • Appointment wasn't rushed
  • Trusted the provider's decisions
  • Wait times
What could be improved
No results
1 other person found this helpful
Helpful
Jan 09, 2021
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Had to go back and get a 2nd surgery because it became infected. And he left a stitch in that I had to get removed from Anderson comunity hospital 2 years later
What went well
No results
What could be improved
No results
Helpful
Mar 13, 2020
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Dr smucker is a excellent doctor, he really cares about his patients, figuring out what's going on with each individual and coming out with the solution. He will be there from the beginning to the end until you are feeling much better I recommend him he is an excellent surgeon he let you know exactly what is going on with you and exactly what procedure he needs to do
What went well
  • Office environment
  • Appointment scheduling
  • Listened & answered questions
  • Explained conditions well
  • Staff friendliness
  • Appointment wasn't rushed
  • Trusted the provider's decisions
  • Wait times
What could be improved
No results
4 others found this helpful
Helpful
Alice in indianapolis, IN – Aug 31, 2018
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Left my dad with drop foot and unable to walk independently after the dr. cut a nerve in his second surgery with Dr. Smucker. Sent dad home (to ride in a car for 2 hours) one hour after surgery knowing there were significant complications after the first surgery. I would not trust him to preform surgery on anyone. Malpractice at its finest. But, the good Doctor takes no responsibility for his actions.
What went well
No results
What could be improved
  • Didn't listen or answer questions
  • Didn't explain conditions well
  • Appointment was rushed
  • Didn't trust the provider's decisions
3 others found this helpful
Helpful
Daughter – Jul 01, 2018
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I would recommend Dr Smucker whole heartedly. He performed a double disc fusion in my neck and I just had my 2 year follow up. I feel great!
What went well
  • Office environment
  • Appointment scheduling
  • Listened & answered questions
  • Explained conditions well
  • Staff friendliness
  • Appointment wasn't rushed
  • Trusted the provider's decisions
What could be improved
No results
5 others found this helpful
Helpful
May 01, 2018
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Do NOT waste your time or money! I have suffered chronic neck and back pain for over 20 years! I have had numerous injections, physical therapy, etc. Nothing received my pain. I heard Dr Smucker was great and I was so excited to meet him. Needless to say he made me feel like a loser. He did not even look.at my MRI's I brought not look at my spine. My neck is visually swollen and he didn't even look.at it! He questioned me as to why I ever had injections!!!! I cried because he did not help!!!!
What went well
No results
What could be improved
  • Office environment
  • Difficult to schedule appointment
  • Didn't listen or answer questions
  • Didn't explain conditions well
  • Staff wasn't friendly
  • Appointment was rushed
  • Didn't trust the provider's decisions
  • Long wait times
1 other person found this helpful
Helpful
Martinsville – Oct 23, 2017
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I had back surgery 16 days ago. I could write a book about the programs I experienced trying to limit my pain over the last 20 years. Physical therapy, injections, message therapy and chiropractic corrections. All were tried several times each. The last few months the pain has been unbearable. Dr. Smucker is very kind and humble. My wife as an ICU nurse of over 25 years says he has a great reputation. I am a new man after my surgery. I am truly grateful for what he has done for me.
What went well
  • Office environment
  • Appointment scheduling
  • Listened & answered questions
  • Explained conditions well
  • Staff friendliness
  • Appointment wasn't rushed
  • Trusted the provider's decisions
  • Wait times
What could be improved
No results
6 others found this helpful
Helpful
Westfield, IN – Mar 24, 2017
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He would not take time to read current MRI or reports, would NOT read anything current. Requested that he more then once read; but he was adamant watching his time only. All info he gave about past surgeries, current condition all wrong and based on report years older. He messed so much up we had to go to get all operative notes from all surgeries to get his data corrected that he added to file. Worst doctor ever looking out for $ only not to help. Appts. quick because has so few patients.
What went well
  • Office environment
  • Appointment scheduling
  • Staff friendliness
What could be improved
  • Didn't listen or answer questions
  • Didn't explain conditions well
  • Appointment was rushed
  • Didn't trust the provider's decisions
5 others found this helpful
Helpful
Wasted Time-Money in Indianapolis, IN – Feb 16, 2016
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Dad, Bud, was a patient of Dr. Smuckers at the U.IA. Hosp. & Clinics I had the privledge to witness some of the best bedside manner I have ever seen. (Sadly, it doesn't happen often esp. w/ the elderly, people in pain, or cognitive decline.) He was always genuinely concerned, friendly, professional while being down to earth, honest w/ his opinions as to what steps, what to expect, if procedures were possible. Always talked & treated dad & family w/ respect & kindness. Thanks for your compassion!
What went well
  • Office environment
  • Appointment scheduling
  • Listened & answered questions
  • Explained conditions well
  • Staff friendliness
  • Appointment wasn't rushed
  • Trusted the provider's decisions
  • Wait times
What could be improved
No results
8 others found this helpful
Helpful
Karolyn Henningsen in De Witt, IA – Jan 08, 2016
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Know Before You Go

About Me

care philosophy

The most important aspect of patient care is communication.  In an age of e-mail, the internet, and electronic health records, the most beneficial form of communication with patients remains face-to-face verbal interaction.  I enjoy spending...read more

biography

I am a board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopaedic spine surgeon.  For me, the practice of medicine is a combination of patient care, teaching, and research.  I began my practice at the University of Iowa in 2005 - a tertiary...read more

  • Orthopedic Spine Surgery

*Healthgrades does not verify qualifications for medical specialties. Please verify your provider's specialty and qualifications directly with your provider and applicable medical board.

  • Emory University

    Fellowship Hospital, 2005

  • Case Western Reserve University School Of Medicine

    Residency Hospital, 2004

  • Indiana University School Of Medicine

    Medical School, 1999

  • Goshen College

    Undergraduate School, 1995
American Board of Medical Specialties®
American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery®
- 
Orthopedic Surgery
For detailed information about any of the below board actions, please search for the provider's records on the linked state licensing board or the Federation of State Medical Boards. To learn more about the difference between these sources, please refer to our FAQs.
Healthgrades has not received any data indicating a board action exists for this provider.

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Locations

Practice

North Meridian Surgery Center13225 N Meridian St Carmel, IN 46032
1
  • Call
  • Fax
  • Hours
    • Mon: open 24 hours
    • Tue: open 24 hours
    • Wed: open 24 hours
    • Thu: open 24 hours
    • Fri: open 24 hours
    • Sat: open 24 hours
    • Sun: open 24 hours
  • Directions

Practice

Wagoner Medical Center LLC821 N Dixon Rd Kokomo, IN 46901
2
  • Call
  • Fax
  • Hours
    • Mon: 8:00am - 4:30pm
    • Tue: 8:00am - 4:30pm
    • Wed: 8:00am - 4:30pm
    • Thu: 8:00am - 4:30pm
    • Fri: 8:00am - 4:30pm
    • Sat: closed
    • Sun: closed
  • Directions
See all Spine Surgeons in Carmel, IN