When did you know you wanted to be a surgeon? What sealed the deal for you? What procedure do you do most frequently? What is your favorite procedure? I knew I wanted to be a surgeon after my first year of medical school. I had the privilege of following a surgeon in town for a month in between my first and second year. I absolutely enjoyed being in the operating room and being involved in something that would make someone’s life better. I frequently perform hip and knee reconstruction procedures such as a total hip arthroplasty or a total knee arthroplasty. I love doing all of these procedures, but I would have to say that doing an anterior total hip arthroplasty through a bikini incision is my favorite as it takes the anatomic approach to the highest level.
How did you decide to start Arkansas Surgical Hospital? When given the opportunity to join Martin Orthopedics and practice at Arkansas Surgical Hospital, I knew I had to take it. I had heard nothing but good things from every patient experience at both Martin Orthopedics and Arkansas Surgical Hospital.
How does a physician-owned hospital differ from corporate-owned facilities? While I truly believe that you can receive great care in both settings, there are many advantages to practicing at a physician-owned hospital. At a physician owned hospital, the surgeons have full control of all aspects of their practice. This allows them to use the best implants and devices to give the patient the greatest opportunity to heal and do well from their procedure.
What is the one problem you are best at solving for your patients? What would your ideal patients say about you? I feel I am best at listening to the patient and doing my best to figure out what exactly is going on with them. It is easy to get caught up in just looking at X-rays for the diagnosis however this does not always tell the full story. I like to listen to the patient’s story and develop a plan that works best for them. My ideal patients would say that I am attentive, kind, and always working to help them heal.
Have you won any awards, medals or medallions? In or outside of work? I was an All-State bass player in the Jazz Band in high school. I still play to this day along with playing drums. It is a great physical and mental activity to play drums as it utilizes all four limbs independently keeping the mind fresh along with maintaining coordination.
What are you most passionate about professionally? What excites you about your work and the contribution you can make? I am most passionate about helping people get back to doing activities that they enjoy whether it be getting back to a normal life after a fracture or getting down on the floor with their grandchild after a total knee or total hip. It is always a great feeling to see someone much happier with their quality of life after being able to help them with surgery.
What are you most passionate about personally? What do you really enjoy doing? Other than my practice, I am very passionate about my family. I would not be where I am today without the support of my wife Sarah and our son Grayson. I am also an avid Razorback fan and enjoy watching or attending as many games as I can.
Where can we find you when you aren’t working? What’s your favorite way to spend a weekend or a Sunday afternoon? You can find me at home around my family and friends likely watching a sporting event or even enjoying a day on the lake at Lake Hamilton. I like to take the opportunity to play golf as well when time allows.
How long have you been practicing? I have been practicing with Martin Orthopedics since August of 2021 after many years of training.
How do you want to be remembered? I want to be remembered as a happy person who was able to help many people have a better quality of life.
Dr. Samuel Baxter’s primary focus is hip and knee surgery, including total hip arthroplasty, total knee arthroplasty, and partial knee arthroplasty. He enjoys performing any procedure that will increase his patients’ quality of life, whether it’s a smaller one such as knee arthroscopy or a larger one like revision total knee replacement surgery. Dr. Baxter received his biology degree from the University of Arkansas and his medical degree from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. He completed his residency training in orthopedic surgery at the University of Missouri-Kansas City and completed an adult reconstruction fellowship at the University of California, Davis.
Dr. Baxter and the Martin Orthopedic Team provide sports medicine services for Central Arkansas Christian, Little Rock Christian and Sylvan Hills.
(501) 975-5633 | www.MartinOrtho.care
(501) 748-8000 | www.arksurgicalhospital.com
