The surgeons at Rocky Mountain Associated Physicians have over two decades of cumulative experience in the surgical treatment of Morbid Obesity. The surgeons have an established reputation for being world wide leaders in the field of Bariatric Surgery, as well as innovators in patient education and rehabilitation. All of the surgeons perform laparoscopic and open procedures.
Utilizing their comprehensive knowledge and expertise, each patient that has surgery through Rocky Mountain Associated Physicians is provided with an extensive follow-up program. This program assists the patient in managing the post-operative physical elements of bariatric Surgery as well as the transition and implementation of the lifestyle that is required to achieve and maintain optimum health.
Each surgeon has their own unique personality and life interests. The common bond that exists between them is their desire to assist patients in achieving the health goals and quality of life that is desired.
Please take a moment to review each surgeon's biography.
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Sherman C. Smith, M.D.Dr. Smith is certified by the American Board of Surgery, and his practice includes surgery for morbid obesity, laparoscopic surgery, and general surgery.He graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor's degree from Brigham Young University in 1972 and received his M.D. in 1976, finishing with honors in medicine from the University of Utah. After completing his residence in General Surgery in 1981 at Fitzsimons Army Medical Center, he served in Germany with the Army Medical Corps until 1984. Since then he has practiced surgery in Salt Lake City, with an interruption for service in Operation Desert Storm. He is a retired Lt. Col. with the U.S. Army Reserves. With extensive experience in general, trauma, oncologic and laparoscopic surgery, Dr. Smith has taken a special interest in gastric bypass and has performed over 4,000 procedures of which most were laparoscopic. He has also assisted his partners with literally thousands of surgeries in the past 15 years. He speaks fluent German and loves outdoor activity. Active memberships include the American College of Surgeons, the American Society for Bariatric Surgery, the American Medical Association, the Southwestern Surgical Society, and the Salt Lake Surgical Society. |
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Steven C. Simper, M.D.Dr. Simper is Board Certified in General Surgery, Vascular Surgery and Surgical Critical Care. His practice emphasizes minimally invasive surgery and includes both the Laparoscopic and Open Gastric Bypass procedures. He first began performing Gastric Bypasses over 10 years ago in Illinois, and joined Rocky Mountain Associated Physicians in 2001. Growing up in Brigham City, Utah, Dr. Simper attended undergraduate and Medical School at the University of Utah. He joined the U.S. Air Force and completed his General Surgery Residency at Wilford Hall Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas. After spending one year in Incirlik, Turkey, he completed a Non-cardiac Thoracic and Surgical Critical Care Fellowship at Keesler Medical Center and the Biloxi VA Hospital in Mississippi. For three years he was Chief of Thoracic and Vascular Surgery at Scott Air Force Base - here his practice included Gastric Bypass.Upon fulfilling his military obligations, he furthered his surgical skills and completed a Vascular Fellowship at Pennsylvania Hospital in Philadelphia. From Philadelphia he returned to Utah and joined the Ogden Clinic. Then, he was recruited to Cookeville, Tennessee to start up a comprehensive vascular program. After completing this project, he returned to Utah to be closer to family and the recreation opportunities of the Intermountain Region. Dr. Simper is active in the surgical community, with membership in several Medical and Surgical societies. He attends seminars and mini-courses on a regular basis to keep current with the cutting edge developments occurring in medicine. Dr. Simper has 6 children, with the three younger ones keeping him active and young. In his free time he enjoys fishing, hunting, hiking, and camping with his family. |
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Rodrick McKinlay, M.D.Dr. Rodrick McKinlay joins Rocky Mountain Associated Physicians as a board certified general surgeon with expertise in minimally invasive—or laparoscopic—surgery. Dr. McKinlay has developed a keen interest in gastric bypass surgery, as it has the potential to cure or improve many conditions associated with excess weight, such as diabetes, sleep apnea, joint-related problems, and high blood pressure, with a single procedure. Performing the surgery laparoscopically provides these benefits in the least invasive manner available today. In addition to the surgical treatment of obesity, his practice involves a wide range of minimally invasive gastrointestinal surgery, including hernia repair, gallbladder removal, and the surgical treatment of spleen and adrenal disorders.Dr. McKinlay graduated summa cum laude from Brigham Young University in 1993 and then received his medical degree from the University of Utah in 1997, where he graduated with honors in medicine and surgery. After completing General Surgery residency at the University of Arizona, he began a minimally invasive surgery (MIS) fellowship at the University of Kentucky, focusing on research and technological developments of MIS. He concluded the clinical portion of the fellowship at the University of Maryland . In addition to striving for top-quality surgical care using the latest technology, Dr. McKinlay emphasizes treating the whole patient with respect and attention to detail. Seeing the change that can occur in a patient's life after weight loss or other surgery is what he enjoys most about caring for patients. He loves to spend time with his family, especially in the outdoors. He particularly enjoys playing soccer, running, and skiing. Fluent in Spanish, he also enjoys literature and the arts. |