F. Clay Smither, M.D.

F. Clay Smither, M.D., is a physician in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, where he also serves as department chair. He helps people recover function, manage pain, and improve quality of life. Dr. Smither works closely with patients and their care teams to create personalized rehabilitation plans that support recovery and long‑term well‑being.

Dr. Smither has special expertise in caring for people with limb loss. He treats patients before and after amputation and helps them adjust to prosthetic devices and return to everyday activities. His clinical interests include phantom limb pain, residual limb pain, wound care, and the use of advanced prosthetic and nerve‑based treatments. He takes a collaborative approach to care, listening carefully to patients’ goals and helping them make informed decisions that fit their lives.

In addition to seeing patients, Dr. Smither is involved in teaching, research, and improving the quality of rehabilitation care. He teaches medical students, residents, and fellows and helps train the next generation of rehabilitation physicians. His research focuses on improving outcomes for people with limb loss and advancing treatment options in rehabilitation medicine. As department chair, he is committed to innovation, teamwork, and ensuring that care at Mayo Clinic always reflects its core value: the needs of the patient come first.