• Bachelor of Arts – Carson Newman College (Biology and Psychology)
Anchorage
• Bachelor of Science – MEDEX Northwest Physician Assistant Program, University of Washington School of Medicine
• Master of Arts in Education – Tusculum College
CJ Smith, PA-C, is a highly experienced physician assistant with nearly 20 years of practice across surgical, hospital, and outpatient settings. She has provided advanced care in specialties ranging from trauma, critical care, and general surgery to orthopedics, vascular surgery, and emergency medicine.
CJ earned her Bachelor of Science from the MEDEX Northwest Physician Assistant Program at the University of Washington School of Medicine. Her career began in high-acuity surgical and hospital roles, where she developed expertise in performing procedures, first-assisting in complex surgeries, and managing both inpatient and outpatient care. Over the years, she has served as the sole provider in remote Alaska clinics, coordinated large-scale public health initiatives, and mentored future medical professionals.
She is known for her calm, decisive approach in urgent situations and her ability to build strong, collaborative relationships with patients, families, and multidisciplinary teams. Whether assisting in the operating room, managing complex post-operative cases, or providing front-line care in underserved regions, CJ is dedicated to delivering safe, effective, and compassionate care.
• Bachelor of Arts – Carson Newman College (Biology and Psychology)
• Certified Physician Assistant – NCCPA
• Licensed in Alaska, Washington, Montana, and Idaho
• ACLS, BLS, PALS, ATLS, and specialized surgical and emergency care training
The OPA team includes Alaska’s leading specialists and offers some of the latest, most advanced treatment procedures available today.
OPA treats a wide variety of conditions and offers comprehensive treatment options — including many non-surgical solutions, minimally invasive arthroscopies (repairs), and total joint replacement.