Aaron Clark

MD PhD

Neurosurgeon
Minimally invasive spine surgeon and avid surfer

Dr. Aaron Clark is a neurosurgeon specializing in minimally invasive outpatient procedures for lumbar and cervical herniated discs and stenosis, as well as minimally invasive lumbar fusion surgery. These procedures are associated with shorter recovery times and less postoperative pain than standard surgeries, and almost all patients can return home the same day.

Clark earned his medical and postdoctoral degrees from Virginia Commonwealth University. He completed his neurosurgery residency at UCSF, where he developed his interest in spine surgery and began publishing research on spinal oncology, spine biomechanics, spinal deformities and neurophysiological monitoring during spine surgery. In 2014, he completed a fellowship in minimally invasive spine surgery at the Semmes Murphey Neurologic and Spine Institute in Memphis, Tennessee, under the mentorship of Dr. Kevin Foley, a pioneer of minimally invasive spine surgery.

  • Education

    Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, 2008

  • Fellowships

    University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery , 2015

  • Board Certifications

    Neurological Surgery, American Board of Neurological Surgery

  • Academic Title

    Associate Professor

I am passionate about providing my patients with the most minimally invasive surgical solutions to treat their spinal disorders.

Where I see patients (2)

    My reviews

    4.9

    Overall Experience
    465 Ratings
    About our process
    Sep 02, 2023
    Dr. Clark is such a wonderful doctor.Aside from his exceptional skill as a surgeon he is a kind and caring man. he takes the time to explain everything thoroughly and carefully. He listens and answers questions and thinks about me as a whole person not just a spine!
    Aug 26, 2023
    I loved the care and treatment that I have received at UCSF Health. The professionalism is outstanding. I am forever grateful for Dr. Aaron Clark his team and all other departments that were involved to see me through my illness.
    Aug 21, 2023
    Dr. Clark is the best of the best
    Aug 21, 2023
    Dr. Clark was thorough kind patient and informative. He explained things clearly listened attentively to my questions and concerns and responded in a respectful and informative way. He did not appear to be hurried or impatient; instead he asked several times if we had questions and answered each one knowledgeably. We very much appreciated his professional yet personable manner and his clear expertise. knowledge
    Aug 21, 2023
    It was an excellent experience
    Aug 19, 2023
    Dr. Clark gave me a very precise description of my (spinal) condition and the procedures needed to correct the problems. He has a friendly but concerned manner that inspires confidence in his abilities as well as honesty that surgery is necessary. I would certainly recommend Dr. Clark as a leading neurosurgeon and have done so to a good friend who may be in need of one. Dr. Clark is clearly one reason for UCSF's impressive top rating in the nation.
    Aug 17, 2023
    My cousin had him as a surgeon and very satisfied with results and follow up
    Aug 12, 2023
    Was extremely pleased with the compassion shown by Dr Clark. He took time and answered my questions
    Aug 05, 2023
    Great experience. Very concerned about my issues and wanting to resolve them for me.
    Aug 03, 2023
    I am trying to schedule a surgery date since yesterday but have not gotten a response yet.
    Jul 22, 2023
    Impressive encounter with a caring physician
    Jul 20, 2023
    Dr. Clark was very kind and I was very thankful he had reviewed my previous medical tests. I have had a year of physicians dismissing my concerns and he was truly a gift! I am very happy he will be helping me. Thank you.
    Jul 05, 2023
    Dr. Clark is a wonderful Dr.. Great surgeon and listener.
    Jul 01, 2023
    I was very impressed with Dr. Clark. He makes you feel very comfortable. I've been to many doctors over the years and he was very clear and precise about the steps we would be taking to improve my back .
    Jul 01, 2023
    Dr. Clark and his team are very professional and show a great deal of concern for my well-being.
    Jun 29, 2023
    The discussion with Dr. Clark was excellent and very much appreciated. His diagnosis and description of the proposed surgery was very clear with an appropriate level of detail. He also has a great friendly demeanor.
    Jun 28, 2023
    Dr Clark is a stellar Dr who has a great attitude and makes you feel warm safe and welcome and a very confident Surgeon. Made me feel so much better about scheduling my surgery
    Jun 09, 2023
    I could not ask for a better place to come to and get A-1 service.
    Jun 08, 2023
    Dr.Clark is amazing. I truly have the feeling he is completely concerned with getting me better.
    Jun 07, 2023
    Dr. Aaron Clark is extremely thorough and professional. So fortunate to have him as my doctor at UCSF.
    May 31, 2023
    Dr Aaron Clark is the best. Not only did he take care of the terrible nerve pain in my leg with his excellent surgical skills he also made sure I was comfortable with our decision about surgery. His fellow another great guy but I forget his name was excellent as well
    May 26, 2023
    Still not walking so hard to be happy about any visit. Still not capable of living.
    May 25, 2023
    Dr Aaron Clark is a brilliant surgeon as well as a very nice guy.
    May 22, 2023
    Dr. Aaron Clark is an outstanding physician in all categories.
    May 04, 2023
    Dr Clark was wonderful- very patient answering all my questions and reassuring me about my concerns.
    May 04, 2023
    One of the very best doctors I've ever dealt with since my accident
    Apr 19, 2023
    It's just UCSF's fundamental disorganization that makes me hesitant to refer others. I have recommended Stanford to others due to this.
    Apr 11, 2023
    Excellent on all fronts!
    Apr 08, 2023
    Very good discussion.
    Apr 07, 2023
    Dr. Clark and his Team are accessible compassionate excellent and responsive. Thank you!
    Apr 06, 2023
    Exemplary knowledge but also a clear empathy for my condition. I was impressed.
    Apr 05, 2023
    Just a great great experience from start to finish with Dr. Clark and his team
    Apr 03, 2023
    Doctor Clark and his team are awesome!
    Apr 03, 2023
    Dr. Clark listened and responded to all of my questions. He explained thoroughly my situation and his recommendations - which we are following.
    Mar 25, 2023
    Dr Clark is a very good doctor and is easy to see why he is rated well
    Mar 22, 2023
    I know that Dr. Clark has hundreds of patients and is a very busy caregiver. It's good that he has such a wonderful team.
    Mar 22, 2023
    Dr. Clark was wonderful. He really listened to my concerns answered my questions and gave me more information (and more helpful information) about my condition than any other doctor has.
    Mar 16, 2023
    Good
    Mar 15, 2023
    Very positive experience
    Mar 15, 2023
    Professional Excellent listener Laid out all options not in a rush Dr. Clark took his time.
    Mar 15, 2023
    Dr. Clark is excellent in every way.
    Mar 14, 2023
    I felt Dr. Clark had studied my case very carefully and communicated his thoughts clearly.
    Mar 09, 2023
    I was 100% impressed with the visit.
    Mar 03, 2023
    I just felt that I didn't have enough information about the exact condition of my spine.
    Mar 01, 2023
    Dr. Clark was very patient and compassionate in answering all my questions. I am very thankful for the care I have received from him and his team.
    Feb 22, 2023
    Dr Clark was wonderful in all expected ways. Given that he will be treating my spinal issues it's very important to be with someone competent experienced and so knowledgable and I left feeling very good and well cared for just during my first visit.
    Feb 01, 2023
    Dr Clark rocks-from "soup to nuts"! (First minute he came in to the last)
    Jan 26, 2023
    Both Dr Aaron Clark and the PA were exceptional. I felt that they both were very interested in my issues and they both demonstrated a very professional and caring attitude.
    Jan 25, 2023
    I interacted with 4 care givers and they all were friendly competent and helpful.
    Jan 25, 2023
    Excellent doctor with a great team to help with patient interactions.
    Jan 25, 2023
    I am so lucky to have Dr. Clark on my Care Team
    Jan 18, 2023
    Dr Clark was kind considerate and patient. He listened to my questions and answered them thoughtfully. I was left feeling like I could trust him.
    Dec 29, 2022
    All good
    Dec 16, 2022
    Best Dr ever!!
    Dec 09, 2022
    Exceptional and outstanding are two words that describe my experience with Dr. Clark.
    Nov 18, 2022
    Dr Clark understood my problems and recognized the most important concern of mine. He also went back and re-looked at films to understand my concerns from the radiologist and found us as we were leaving to explain he reviewed and the problem is not as serious as made out to be. He is more concerned about another problem.
    Nov 18, 2022
    I like Dr. Aaron Clark and his team I feel that they cared for me very well. This give me confidence that I will heal and feel better again.
    Nov 16, 2022
    Dr Clark explained the whole process very well
    Nov 16, 2022
    I thought Dr. Clark was superb in every way. It was clear that he had carefully reviewed my manyi radiology studies and he had a logical analysis of what might be going on and how to find out more. He listened to me well was empathetic and I liked the detailed information he gave me and the logic of a step-by-step approach going forward. He was personable and attentive. First rate!
    Nov 11, 2022
    Surgery and the following up were handled brilliantly
    Nov 07, 2022
    Doctor was great. He acknowledged that he had read my mri and my chart the night before and that I was not ready for spine surgery and he referred me to a neurologist. If I started to experience pain I should return. He explained where I would be having pain if it were my spine issues and how he could help me. He answered my questions esp. About whether walking with my level of spine issues would be helpful or detrimental. He encouraged the walking which was a great relief. He was great!
    Nov 04, 2022
    Dr. Clark is AWESOME! He is the very reason that I'm starting to get my life back after 3 years of failed surgeries.
    Nov 02, 2022
    Dr Clark is amazing
    Oct 21, 2022
    Dr. Clark is a wonderful care provider. He was up to date on all the aspects of my after surgery treatment and was able to answer all the questions I had about my concerns. I am very happy with the care I have received from this provider.
    Oct 07, 2022
    Excellent treatment.
    Oct 06, 2022
    Dr. Clark is so nice! Answered all of our questions without us feeling rushed at all. Very professional.
    Oct 06, 2022
    Dr. Clark and the staff have been courteous knowledgeable and pleasant to work with.
    Oct 05, 2022
    If I could give a rating higher than "very good" I would. Dr. Clark was amazing - - so skilled and kind and such a good communicator. The whole team was wonderful.
    Sep 29, 2022
    Never once spoke about pros and cons of the surgery He recommended. Also nothing on recovery plan. Nothing!
    Sep 28, 2022
    Dr. Aaron Clark was very highly recommended to my son who is a Radiology resident at UCSF. With his reputation preceding him Dr. Clark exceeded all expectations. A truly remarkable group of people at this institution.
    Sep 23, 2022
    Dr Aaron Clark is excellent!!
    Sep 16, 2022
    DR.CLARK M.D . IS VERY KIND N CONCERNED W/MY HEALTH
    Sep 14, 2022
    Outstanding professional friendly competent.
    Sep 07, 2022
    Dr. CLARK is very easy to deal with - communicative and real. Much appreciated!
    Aug 31, 2022
    Dr Clark is wonderful!
    Aug 16, 2022
    Couldn't be better
    Aug 10, 2022
    Excellent bedside manner
    Aug 07, 2022
    Dr. Clark is an exceptional medical professional. He was able to evaluate all of my spinal issues answer my questions and concerns and develop a plan to address my pain management. I am so grateful to have Dr. Clark as my doctor.
    Jul 28, 2022
    Dr Clark was a breath of fresh air he was kind and concise. Took what ever time was needed to explain everything to us. We felt like he spent time really preparing and looking for the Best options.
    Jul 27, 2022
    I like that we agreed to the plan established for my care. This included my nephew Dr Clark and myself.
    Jul 22, 2022
    Dr was reassuring listened to me clear in his explanations. Seemed really interested in me.
    Jul 07, 2022
    Of course if an excellent service thanks
    Jul 06, 2022
    Highly will recommend to family and friends
    Jul 06, 2022
    Personable physician
    Jun 02, 2022
    This was just an initial assessment of my back issues. We've yet to discuss just exactly what to do. More diagnostic tests were ordered.
    May 19, 2022
    Superb experience with Dr Clark and his staff.
    May 19, 2022
    Dr Clark's communication skills and empathy are outstanding
    May 05, 2022
    Very good experience
    Apr 27, 2022
    Dr Aaron Clark is the man
    Apr 02, 2022
    Again my original provider did not even explain that I needed to see anyone about the fluid I thought this call was going to be about scheduling the epidural shot.
    Mar 23, 2022
    Good
    Mar 22, 2022
    I always feel grateful and well taken care of by anyone I have ever encountered at UCSF.
    Mar 11, 2022
    Great personality very caring and professional
    Feb 22, 2022
    Dr. Clark explained things well however my lack of basic anatomy and my spine made it hard for me to completely understand. I especially didn't understand that he would not be addressing my vertical foraminal stenosis and that he would not be doing a complete decompression of the right side. When I emailed Dr. Clark Tiffany answered my additional questions.
    Feb 17, 2022
    Dr. Clark was extremely thorough and explained the procedures clearly.
    Feb 09, 2022
    Very professional great
    Jan 29, 2022
    Great provider - gave excellent care.
    Jan 28, 2022
    Everything went well.
    Jan 21, 2022
    Dr. Clark discussed everything with me.
    Jan 19, 2022
    Outstanding interaction on all levels. Dr. Clark is a compassionate empathetic knowledgeable clinician.
    Jan 13, 2022
    There is NO BETTER Doctor / Surgeon on this EARTH Then Dr Aaron Clark -- NO BETTER !!!! He is the aBSOLUTE BEST OF THE BEST !!!!!
    Jan 13, 2022
    I was a nurse for 40 yrs and Dr. Clark isone of the best doctors I have been to. He is not only good but he makes his patients feel that what they have to say is important. He listens.
    Dec 06, 2021
    The Best
    Nov 11, 2021
    All very good.
    Oct 31, 2021
    Need more past test results.
    Oct 21, 2021
    The staff and Dr Clark had options for my surgery. I fell very confident in the out come

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