Esophageal Institute
of Atlanta
1800 Peachtree Road
Suite 444
Atlanta, GA 30309
404-445-7787
Who We Are
Esophageal Institute of Atlanta is the only medical/surgical practice in Atlanta focused primarily on the diagnosis and treatment of esophageal conditions. Founded by Dr. C. Daniel Smith, an internationally recognized expert in gastrointestinal surgery, the Esophageal Institute of Atlanta (EIA) helps patients understand and manage their esophageal condition, especially when sorting out testing and recommendations by specialists who may only be considering part of the problem that esophageal disorders may cause. Dr. Smith can uniquely integrate management strategies recommended by gastroenterologists, surgeons, pulmonologists and ENTs, all of whom are only seeing the condition through their specialty's capabilities. EIA will pursue comprehensive testing and treatment for all benign conditions of the esophagus.
Dr. Smith and his staff have been working together for over 25 years, and through that time together have developed an efficient and effective process to meet new patients, gather relevant documents and test results, and guide you through the needed testing to diagnose your problem. Once a diagnosis is made, Dr. Smith will outline potential treatment(s), and if surgery is needed, provide a turnkey path through your surgical care.
We are pleased to welcome you to the Esophageal Institute of Atlanta and look forward to helping you achieve better health and quality of life.
X-ray with Linx device
Clinically accomplished and respected, for the past 20 years Dr. Smith has been deeply committed to helping patients with acid reflux and other diseases of the esophagus and stomach understand and achieve optimal management of their condition.
In addition to having performed esophageal surgery on over 4,000 patients, he has published over 130 peer-review publications, 20 book chapters and delivered hundreds of podium presentations on his clinical experience and research into esophageal diseases. Using advanced techniques and technologies in the care of patients has been a hallmark of his esophageal practice, introducing minimally invasive techniques to the care of all manner of esophageal disease, and having pioneered many of the currently accepted approaches to assessing and managing surgical conditions of the esophagus.
C. Daniel Smith, MD
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Internationally recognized expert in diagnosis and treatment of esophageal and gastric disease
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Expert with advanced diagnostic and surgical technologies and techniques, especially minimally invasive surgery
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Extensive experience and expertise with complex and revisional surgery
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Consultant and advisor to leading medical industries focused on GI disease and advanced surgical technologies
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Compassionate clinician committed to taking the time to help patients with esophageal and gastric conditions
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Widely published on esophageal diseases - over 200 articles and book chapters in medical literature
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Sought after speaker about acid reflux and esophageal disease - over 180 lectures in 14 countries around the world
Clinical Care
Accomplished Expert
For the past 25 years Dr. Smith has been deeply committed to helping patients with disorders of the esophagus understand their condition and achieve optimal management. He has performed esophageal surgery on thousands of patients and has one of the largest experiences in the world performing complex revision and redo operations.
Research
Creating New Knowledge
Dr. Smith spent over 20 years in academic medical centers doing research to help better understand the surgical management of esophageal disorders. He has published over 150 peer-reviewed publication and 20 book chapters on his clinical experience and research into esophageal diseases.
Teaching
Sharing Knowledge
Dr. Smith has been involved in the teaching of medical students, surgical residents and GI Surgery Fellows at renowned medical centers. He is also a sought after speaker at national and international meetings giving lectures to colleagues to share his knowledge from his research and clinical experience.
Technology Development
Innovation
Dr. Smith has been at the forefront of innovations in esophageal surgery helping develop and test currently used techniques for managing esophageal disorders. He has participated in ground breaking research and presented to the FDA and other regulatory agencies to gain approval and ensure safe use of new procedures and devices.
EIA Support Staff
The EIA team is comprised of Dr. Smith's team of dedicated staff who have over 25 years of experience in helping patients with esophageal conditions navigate the complex path through gathering records, working with insurance companies, coordinating and scheduling tests, and coordinating the series of appointments and consultations needed to as quickly as possible get answers to questions about your health, and effect the treatments that will resolve you esophageal and upper intestinal problems.
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Patient Care Coordinator: Alexa Jones
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Reception & Medical Records: Trenise Parker
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Clinical Research Nurse: Terria Nesmith
Common Conditions
Dr. Smith specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of gastroesophageal refliux disease (GERD) hiatal hernia, achalasia, and revision surgeries for failed esophageal operations. He is one of only a very few doctors whose entire focus is the diagnosis and treatment of benign esophageal conditions.
GERD (Acid Reflux)
Acid reflux effects over 60 million Americans and is one of the most common maladies of the GI tract that people face. Medicines to treat the symptoms of GERD are the most widely used medicines today. Acid reflux is a problem with the valve between the esophagus and stomach failing to keep acid in the stomach. Before relying on medicine to manage the symptoms, it is important to understand the severity of GERD and explore more permanent solution.
Achalasia
Achalasia is extremely rare. Many patients go for years without a diagnosis. Once diagnosed, the symptoms of achalasia, especially the food getting stuck and frequent vomiting can be corrected with an outpatient surgery.
Failed Esophageal Operations
While typically successful, surgery for esopahgeal conditiuonsin some cases fail. Managing failure can be very complicated and challenging, especially for doctors who do not typically take care of recurrent problems or failed operations. It is extremely important to seek expert care when deciding what to do when surgery fails.
Complex Cases
When your esophagus is not working, life can be miserable. We take for granted the ease with which we swallow our food and liquids, and when that doesn't happen normally, it can be challenging for doctors who do not specialize in esophageal conditions to discover and effectively treat the problem. Many patient cycle through multiple doctors of different specialties looking for answers. Finding someone who specializes in only esophageal problems can be life saving.