Max Smolkin, MD
Board Certified Internal Medicine Physician and High Altitude Specialist
I was born in Argentina and raised in one of the most breathtaking regions of the world — Patagonia. Surrounded by mountains and immersed in nature from an early age, I developed a deep connection to the outdoors that has shaped both my personal and professional journey.
I earned my medical degree from the Universidad Nacional de Córdoba and, while still a student, began traveling to the United States during the winter months. It was during these visits that I fell in love with the Rocky Mountains. This connection eventually led me to a research opportunity at the University of Colorado, where I focused on pancreatic cancer. During this time, I successfully completed the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) and was honored to be accepted into the University of Colorado Internal Medicine Residency Program — where I was the only international medical graduate in my cohort.
Following residency, I joined the faculty at the University of Colorado and worked as a Hospitalist at the University of Colorado Hospital. I later relocated to Summit County, Colorado, where I currently serve as an Internal Medicine Hospitalist at St. Anthony Summit Hospital in Frisco. In addition to my clinical duties, I hold leadership roles as Clinical Services Medicine Chairman and Board Member.
Practicing medicine at +9,000 feet has provided me with unique insight into the physiological effects of high altitude. This inspired me to pursue advanced training in this field, completing a Fellowship in Wilderness Medicine at the University of Colorado, where I also serve as faculty. Over the years, I’ve dedicated my career to diagnosing and treating high altitude illnesses, working at the highest full-service hospital in the United States.
I am board certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) and a proud member of both the Wilderness Medical Society (WMS) and the International Society of Mountain Medicine (ISMM). My passion for high altitude medicine extends beyond the hospital—I actively engage in high altitude mountaineering to better understand its complex physiology through firsthand experience.
In addition to clinical practice, I am deeply committed to research and collaborate with physicians globally on projects related to altitude medicine. I have also been offering telemedicine consultations for several years, and I am excited to announce the opening of my in-person consultation office in Silverthorne, Colorado. This new space will allow me to provide comprehensive evaluations and studies to support your health and address your medical needs.
Whether you are dealing with acute or chronic conditions related to altitude, my goal is to help you live a healthy, thriving life in this unique environment.