Our Care Team
A small team, on purpose.
One surgeon, one doctor of physical therapy, one coordinated plan. The clinician you meet at your first visit is the clinician who carries your care through, and nothing about that is delegated.
Most practices grow by adding layers between you and the person treating you. We built this one to remove them.
At Journey Orthopaedic Institute your diagnosis, your procedure, and your rehabilitation live with two clinicians who work side by side, share one record, and build from the same plan. Here is who they are.
Orthopaedic Surgeon and Founder
Justin T. Smith, MD
Dr. Smith is a double board-certified orthopaedic surgeon focused on sports medicine and shoulder reconstruction. He founded Journey Orthopaedic Institute to practice medicine directly: the surgeon who examines you is the surgeon who operates, and the one who follows you through recovery.
He is a contributor to Surgery Business Magazine and its April 2026 cover feature.
- Double Board-Certified · ABOS · FAAOS · FAANA
- Focus: sports medicine and shoulder reconstruction
- Licensed in South Carolina, North Carolina, Michigan, and Wyoming
Doctor of Physical Therapy
Christie Booth Smith, PT, DPT, KEOMPT
Dr. Christie Booth Smith is a doctor of physical therapy and certified orthopaedic manual therapist who leads Integrated Physical Therapy at JOI. Every session is one-on-one: she is with you for the whole visit, with no double-booking and no handing you to an aide between sets.
Because she works alongside the surgeon, your rehabilitation plan is built directly off his own diagnosis and care plan rather than a generic protocol.
- Doctor of physical therapy and certified orthopaedic manual therapist (KEOMPT)
- One-on-one sessions, no double-booking, no aides
- Licensed in South Carolina, North Carolina, and Michigan
The front desk that never closes.
AI secretary
Charlotte Hamilton
Charlotte answers our phone line and the chat on this site, any time you reach out. She is an AI secretary, software rather than a person, and we label her that way on purpose. She is not a clinician and does not give medical advice: anything clinical goes to the care team above.
Call or text 803.220.4207Off the Clock
Adventure partners first.
They met on a medical mission trip in Costa Rica and have been moving ever since: hiking, biking, kayaking, and rafting their way around the world together.
That is the energy behind the practice. Two clinicians who live the active life they treat, and who measure success by how fast you get back to yours.
Meet us in person
Two clinicians, one plan, and a straight answer.
Most new patients are seen the same week, in Fort Mill, at your home or gym in the mobile unit, or by video.