Nicholas A. Smerlis, MD, FAAOS, CAQSH, is a fellowship-trained, board-certified orthopedic hand surgeon specializing in the surgical and non-surgical treatment of the hand and wrist. Dr. Smerlis began practice in 2007 and joined TPMG Orthopedics in 2019.  He sees patients in the Newport News and Williamsburg offices. Dr. Smerlis is accepting new patients.

Dr. Smerlis earned his undergraduate degree in Biomedical Engineering from Johns Hopkins University in Maryland and his Doctor of Medicine from the University of Maryland School of Medicine. He then completed his orthopedic surgery residency at the University of Rochester School of Medicine in New York and received further specialized training at Wake Forest University School of Medicine, where he completed a hand fellowship before moving to the Hampton Roads area. Dr. Smerlis received a Certificate of Added Qualification in Surgery of the Hand (CAQSH) in 2010.

Dr. Smerlis enjoys the hand surgery subspecialty for the blend of in-office patient interaction and the operating room experience.  He values the development of unique physician-patient relationships and loves the technical skill and dexterity involved in procedures. Fascinated by the complex systems he tinkered with growing up and inspired by the relationships his father was able to build with his patients as a hometown dentist, Dr. Smerlis found hand surgery to be a natural fit and fulfilling career.

Dr. Smerlis brings extensive surgical knowledge to his practice, which continually evolves through practice-based learning.  Paramount to his practice is high ethical standards and professionalism. Although he specializes in surgery of the hand, not all problems need surgery,y and Dr. Smerlis often uses non-operative treatments such as medications, splints, injections, and hand therapy to restore function to the hand.

His practice includes treatment of a variety of conditions ranging from arthritis of the hand and wrist, nerve compression disorders such as carpal tunnel syndrome to soft tissue injuries, hand fractures, Dupuytren’s contracture, and sprains. His special interests within hand surgery include both reconstructive and trauma surgery.

Dr. Smerlis is an active member of the American Society for Surgery of the Hand and the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.  He is a well-respected physician in his field and has been honored as a Coastal Virginia “Top Doc” and Virginia Living Magazine “Top Doctor” for consecutive years, as voted for by his peers in the Hampton Roads community.

In addition to caring for his patients in the office, Dr. Smerlis has surgical privileges at Port Warwick Ambulatory Surgery Center (PWASC), Surgical Suites of Coastal Virginia in Williamsburg, and Mary Immaculate Hospital.

Education

Undergraduate: B.S. Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University
Medical School: University of Maryland School of Medicine
Residency: Orthopedics, University of Rochester School of Medicine
Fellowship: Hand Fellowship, Wake Forest University School of Medicine
Board-Certified: Orthopedic Surgery
Additional Certification: Certificate of Added Qualification in Surgery of the Hand (CAQSH)

Honors & Awards

2026 Coastal Virginia Magazine "Top Doc"
2026 Coastal Virginia Magazine's "Top Doc's All-Stars"
2025 Coastal Virginia Magazine "Top Doc"
2024 Coastal Virginia Magazine "Top Doc"
2024 Virginia Business "Top Doc"
2023 Coastal Virginia Magazine "Top Doc"
2023 ‘Top Doc All-Stars‘ of Hampton Roads
2022 Coastal Virginia Magazine "Top Doc"
2022 ‘Top Doc All-Stars‘ of Hampton Roads
2021 Coastal Virginia Magazine "Top Doc"
2020 Coastal Virginia Magazine "Top Doc"
2019 Coastal Virginia Magazine "Top Doc"
2018 Coastal Virginia Magazine "Top Doc"
2017 Coastal Virginia Magazine "Top Doc"
2016 Coastal Virginia Magazine "Top Doc"

Interests & Activities

Memberships:
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS)
American Society for Surgery of the Hand (ASSH)