Paul Schmitt, MD

Meet Paul Schmitt, MD

Advanced Cerebrovascular and Endovascular Neurosurgery for Patients Across the Coastal Bend

Dr. Paul Schmitt is a board-certified neurosurgeon and cerebrovascular specialist serving patients in Corpus Christi through CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic and CHRISTUS Spohn. With advanced training in neurological surgery and endovascular neurosurgery, Dr. Schmitt focuses on some of the most complex conditions affecting the brain and its blood vessels, including aneurysms, stroke, arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) and carotid artery disease. He earned his medical degree from Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, completed neurosurgery residency training at the University of Virginia Medical Center, earned a Master of Science in Clinical Research from the University of Virginia and completed fellowship training at the Swedish Neurological Institute. Today, he plays a key role in expanding access to highly specialized stroke and cerebrovascular care for patients throughout South Texas and the Coastal Bend.

Career at a Glance

• Board-certified by the American Board of Neurological Surgery
• Fellowship-trained in cerebrovascular and endovascular neurosurgery
• Adjunct Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery at UTMB Health
• Published author of multiple peer-reviewed neurosurgical and cerebrovascular research studies
• Recognized leader in advanced stroke, aneurysm and vascular neurosurgical care in the Coastal Bend region

Clinical Role and Leadership

As a neurosurgeon specializing in cerebrovascular and endovascular neurosurgery, Dr. Schmitt helps lead the development and advancement of complex neurological care throughout the Coastal Bend. His work supports the growth of comprehensive stroke and cerebrovascular services, bringing advanced treatment options closer to South Texas patients who previously may have needed to travel to larger metropolitan medical centers.

He provides specialized care for conditions such as:

• Brain aneurysms
• Arteriovenous malformations (AVMs)
• Ischemic stroke
• Carotid artery stenosis
• Moyamoya disease
• Trigeminal neuralgia
• Brain tumors
• Idiopathic intracranial hypertension
• Intracranial atherosclerotic disease

What You Can Expect from Care with Dr. Schmitt

Dr. Schmitt believes that treatment decisions should be individualized to each patient’s condition, goals and overall health. Whether recommending observation, minimally invasive intervention or complex neurosurgical treatment, he emphasizes patient education and shared decision-making so patients and families understand every option available to them.

You can expect:

• A personalized treatment plan tailored to your diagnosis and health goals
• Clear explanations of complex neurological conditions and treatment options
• Collaborative decision-making that respects patient preferences
• Access to advanced surgical and minimally invasive treatment techniques
• Comprehensive support before, during, and after treatment

Advanced Surgical Innovation and Cerebrovascular Care

Dr. Schmitt's practice combines microsurgical expertise with modern endovascular techniques to treat complex neurological disorders. Depending on a patient's condition, he may utilize:

• Endovascular aneurysm coiling
• Flow-diversion technology for aneurysm treatment
• Cerebral revascularization and microsurgical bypass procedures
• Catheter-based stroke intervention
• Advanced neurovascular imaging
• Microsurgical clipping of brain aneurysms
• Minimally invasive cerebrovascular procedures

His specialized training allows him to offer both open surgical and endovascular approaches, providing patients with treatment strategies tailored to their specific condition rather than a one-size-fits-all solution.

Research, Clinical Insight, and Thought Leadership

Beyond clinical practice, Dr. Schmitt has advanced neurosurgical knowledge through peer-reviewed research and academic scholarship. His published work has explored topics including cerebrovascular bypass surgery, neurosurgical education, Gamma Knife radiosurgery outcomes, neuroendoscopy, patient education and surgical planning technologies.

His research has appeared in respected neurosurgical journals and has helped advance understanding of:

• Cerebrovascular bypass techniques
• Brain aneurysm treatment strategies
• Surgical simulation and resident education
• Radiosurgery outcomes for complex neurological disorders
• Patient education and health literacy in surgical specialties

Commitment to Public Health and Community Education

Dr. Schmitt actively supports community education efforts focused on stroke prevention and awareness throughout the Coastal Bend. He has participated in regional public health initiatives designed to educate community members about stroke symptoms, risk factors and the importance of rapid treatment.

Through events such as CHRISTUS Spohn's annual stroke-awareness programs and community outreach initiatives, Dr. Schmitt helps bring critical neurological health education directly to local residents. His advocacy focuses on helping people understand controllable risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes, cholesterol management and early recognition of stroke warning signs.