About Us
Nobody understands the value and importance of health and aesthetics better than the team at Principle X.
The Principle X story
Founder, Dr. Cornel Smith, is not only a medical specialist but also an aerobatic pilot. The clinic’s name came about from his love of flying. Principle X is derived from Bernoulli’s principle of flight as well as SpaceX. The name pays homage to the main principle that allows flight as well as to a fellow South African, Elon Musk, who is also a fan of flight and breaking the status quo.
Dr. Smith brings the same precision and perfection that aerobatic flight commands to the clinic. In doing so he assembled a highly skilled, approachable, and dedicated team to join him at Principle X.
Meet the core team
Dr Cornel Smith
MBChB, FRCSC, FACOG, NCMP, DA
Fellowship in Advanced Laparoscopic Gynecological Surgery
Diploma in Aesthetic Medicine, AAAM
Clinical Assistant Professor, UBC
Dr Cornel Smith is a gynecologist at Burnaby General Hospital and a Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of British Columbia. Currently, he is a fellow of both the Royal College of Surgeons of Canada and the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. His expertise is in advanced laparoscopic gynecological surgery and he has presented work internationally at both the AAGL and ESGE conferences. His aesthetic training was done through both the American Academy of Aesthetic Medicine, Alinsod Institute for Aesthetic Vulvovaginal Surgery and the European Society of Aesthetic Gynecology. Dr Smith is also a certified menopause practitioner through the North American Menopause Society.
Dr Smith obtained his medical degree in South Africa where he practised as a family physician. During this time he obtained a diploma in both obstetrics and anesthesiology. After immigrating to Canada he worked as a rural family physician in Alberta. From there, and after a quick stint as a cruise ship physician, he went back to medical school and completed his obstetrics and gynecology residency in Alberta. Furthering his passion for laparoscopic surgery he completed an advanced minimally invasive gynecologic surgery fellowship in Regina, Saskatchewan.
Clinic Art
Erica Smith
The artwork throughout our clinic was created by local Vancouver artist, Erica Smith. Her artwork is androgenous in nature. Erica is inspired by the archetypal images of the subconscious. Carl Jung, the Swiss psychoanalyst, said that every female has a male (the animus) in her subconscious that she has to understand before she can relate properly to a man in the outer world. Likewise every man has to understand the female (the anima) in his own subconscious before he can relate rightly to a woman in the outer world.
“Being desirable means being comfortable with your own ambiguity.” – Rumi
Feel free to contact Erica at: erica@principle-x.com