Procedure Volume Patient Data Patient Conditions Reviews General Payments Back to Top

Home > CA Providers > Neurosurgeons

Dr. Aaron Clark, MD, PhD

Accepting New Patients

(487 Ratings)

Specializes in: Physician, Neurosurgery and Spine Surgery

Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) School of Medicine

400 Parnassus Avenue Eighth Floor
San Francisco, CA 94143

(415) 353-7500

Dr. Aaron Clark, MD, PhD is a physician provider in San Francisco, CA specializing in physician, neurosurgery and spine surgery. He graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) School of Medicine. Dr. Aaron Clark, MD, PhD is affiliated with UCSF Health and Neurosurgery at San Francisco Parnassus.

Office Locations

400 Parnassus Avenue Eighth Floor
San Francisco, CA 94143

open_in_new

400 Parnassus Avenue Floor 8
San Francisco, CA 94143

open_in_new

400 Parnassus Avenue Suite A2300
San Francisco, CA 94143

open_in_new

Noteworthy Medicare Patient Procedures Performed by Dr. Aaron Clark, MD, PhD in 2024

Click on any procedure below to see further details on volume and pricing among Medicare patients.

Top 5%

By Volume:

decompressive lumbar laminectomy

laminectomy with foraminotomy and facetectomy

lumbar hemilaminectomy

lumbar laminotomy

posterior lumbar discectomy

spinal decompression surgery

spinal procedures

By Affordability:

decompressive cervical laminectomy

In 2024, among providers in related specialties within California, Dr. Aaron Clark, MD, PhD performed more decompressive lumbar laminectomy, laminectomy with foraminotomy and facetectomy, lumbar hemilaminectomy, lumbar laminotomy, posterior lumbar discectomy, spinal decompression surgery, and spinal procedures procedures for Medicare patients than 95% of them and he also had a list price for decompressive cervical laminectomy that was lower than the list prices billed to Medicare by 95% of them. Actual amounts paid by patients can vary widely depending on a number of factors, including insurance coverage. A lower list price, however, might mean lower fees when paying without insurance.

Top 10%

By Volume:

360-degree lumbar fusion

cervical spine surgery

spinal fusion

In 2024, Dr. Aaron Clark, MD, PhD performed more 360-degree lumbar fusion, cervical spine surgery, and spinal fusion procedures for Medicare patients than 90% of providers in related specialties within California.

Top 25%

By Volume:

discectomy

In 2012, Dr. Aaron Clark, MD, PhD performed more discectomy (disc removal surgery) procedures for Medicare patients than 75% of providers in related specialties within California.

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2015 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Aaron Clark, MD, PhD treated as a physician provider in San Francisco, CA during 2015 were nerve procedures, decompression surgery, spinal procedures and hospital care.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Aaron Clark, MD, PhD for Medicare patients.

decompression surgery	18
doctor visit	107
hospital care	16
inpatient care	16
nerve procedures	18
spinal procedures	18

2015 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Aaron Clark, MD, PhD.

**Gender**
Male	150
Female	152

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	228
Black	0
Hispanic	30
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	154
From 75 to 84	70
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Aaron Clark, MD, PhD in 2015

Hypertension	60
High Cholesterol	48
Stroke	8
Ischemic Heart Disease	26
Depression	34
Chronic Kidney Disease	20
Asthma	14
Osteoperosis	13
Atrial Fibrilation	0
Heart Failure	11
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	14
Diabetes	26
Dementia	0
Cancer	11

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2016 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Aaron Clark, MD, PhD treated as a physician provider in San Francisco, CA during 2016 were spinal procedures, arthrodesis (bone fusion surgery), hospital care and inpatient care.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Aaron Clark, MD, PhD for Medicare patients.

arthrodesis (bone fusion surgery)	65
decompression surgery	35
doctor visit	398
hospital care	38
inpatient care	38
minimally invasive procedures	23
neck surgery	31
nerve procedures	35
spinal procedures	151

2016 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Aaron Clark, MD, PhD.

**Gender**
Male	198
Female	215

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	297
Black	30
Hispanic	32
Asian	40
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	199
From 75 to 84	103
85 and over	23
Less than 65	88

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Aaron Clark, MD, PhD in 2016

Hypertension	65
High Cholesterol	53
Stroke	8
Ischemic Heart Disease	32
Depression	31
Chronic Kidney Disease	28
Asthma	21
Osteoperosis	16
Atrial Fibrilation	9
Heart Failure	14
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	14
Diabetes	31
Dementia	9
Cancer	12

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2017 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Aaron Clark, MD, PhD treated as a physician provider in San Francisco, CA during 2017 were spinal procedures, hospital care, inpatient care and arthrodesis (bone fusion surgery).

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Aaron Clark, MD, PhD for Medicare patients.

arthrodesis (bone fusion surgery)	45
decompression surgery	19
doctor visit	134
hospital care	48
inpatient care	48
minimally invasive procedures	15
neck surgery	30
nerve procedures	19
spinal procedures	116

2017 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Aaron Clark, MD, PhD.

**Gender**
Male	127
Female	116

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	175
Black	0
Hispanic	24
Asian	19
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	110
From 75 to 84	62
85 and over	17
Less than 65	54

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Aaron Clark, MD, PhD in 2017

Hypertension	69
High Cholesterol	47
Stroke	8
Ischemic Heart Disease	36
Depression	30
Chronic Kidney Disease	33
Asthma	11
Osteoperosis	15
Atrial Fibrilation	7
Heart Failure	19
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	17
Diabetes	28
Dementia	12
Cancer	15

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2018 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Aaron Clark, MD, PhD treated as a physician provider in San Francisco, CA during 2018 were spinal procedures, arthrodesis (bone fusion surgery), hospital care and inpatient care.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Aaron Clark, MD, PhD for Medicare patients.

arthrodesis (bone fusion surgery)	72
decompression surgery	39
hospital care	61
inpatient care	61
minimally invasive procedures	16
neck surgery	44
nerve procedures	39
spinal procedures	171

2018 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Aaron Clark, MD, PhD.

**Gender**
Male	98
Female	93

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	123
Black	25
Hispanic	0
Asian	24
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	99
From 75 to 84	44
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Aaron Clark, MD, PhD in 2018

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	59
Stroke	12
Ischemic Heart Disease	33
Depression	38
Chronic Kidney Disease	38
Asthma	17
Osteoperosis	14
Atrial Fibrilation	12
Heart Failure	19
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	16
Diabetes	34
Dementia	17
Cancer	13

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2019 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Aaron Clark, MD, PhD treated as a physician provider in San Francisco, CA during 2019 were spinal procedures, nerve procedures, decompression surgery and arthrodesis (bone fusion surgery).

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Aaron Clark, MD, PhD for Medicare patients.

arthrodesis (bone fusion surgery)	52
decompression surgery	52
doctor visit	24
emergency care	11
hospital care	48
inpatient care	48
minimally invasive procedures	22
neck surgery	19
nerve procedures	52
spinal procedures	165

2019 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Aaron Clark, MD, PhD.

**Gender**
Male	117
Female	97

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	150
Black	12
Hispanic	19
Asian	22
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	83
From 75 to 84	65
85 and over	17
Less than 65	49

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Aaron Clark, MD, PhD in 2019

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	65
Stroke	8
Ischemic Heart Disease	36
Depression	38
Chronic Kidney Disease	39
Asthma	14
Osteoperosis	22
Atrial Fibrilation	12
Heart Failure	24
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	18
Diabetes	35
Dementia	11
Cancer	15

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2020 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Aaron Clark, MD, PhD treated as a physician provider in San Francisco, CA during 2020 were spinal procedures, arthrodesis (bone fusion surgery), nerve procedures and decompression surgery.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Aaron Clark, MD, PhD for Medicare patients.

arthrodesis (bone fusion surgery)	56
decompression surgery	55
doctor visit	87
emergency care	11
hospital care	36
inpatient care	36
minimally invasive procedures	16
neck surgery	27
nerve procedures	55
spinal procedures	160

2020 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Aaron Clark, MD, PhD.

**Gender**
Male	109
Female	128

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	180
Black	0
Hispanic	19
Asian	21
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	94
From 75 to 84	63
85 and over	22
Less than 65	58

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Aaron Clark, MD, PhD in 2020

Hypertension	69
High Cholesterol	53
Stroke	7
Ischemic Heart Disease	33
Depression	40
Chronic Kidney Disease	36
Asthma	13
Osteoperosis	21
Atrial Fibrilation	9
Heart Failure	18
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	17
Diabetes	26
Dementia	13
Cancer	16

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2021 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Aaron Clark, MD, PhD treated as a physician provider in San Francisco, CA during 2021 were spinal procedures, arthrodesis (bone fusion surgery), nerve procedures and decompression surgery.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Aaron Clark, MD, PhD for Medicare patients.

arthrodesis (bone fusion surgery)	76
decompression surgery	73
doctor visit	167
hospital care	17
inpatient care	17
minimally invasive procedures	17
neck surgery	37
nerve procedures	73
spinal procedures	222

2021 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Aaron Clark, MD, PhD.

**Gender**
Male	110
Female	137

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	185
Black	15
Hispanic	14
Asian	20
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	101
From 75 to 84	87
85 and over	12
Less than 65	47

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Aaron Clark, MD, PhD in 2021

Hypertension	67
High Cholesterol	60
Stroke	6
Ischemic Heart Disease	35
Depression	39
Chronic Kidney Disease	34
Asthma	12
Osteoperosis	20
Atrial Fibrilation	8
Heart Failure	17
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	14
Diabetes	26
Dementia	10
Cancer	14

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2022 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Aaron Clark, MD, PhD treated as a physician provider in San Francisco, CA during 2022 were spinal procedures, arthrodesis (bone fusion surgery), nerve procedures and decompression surgery.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Aaron Clark, MD, PhD for Medicare patients.

arthrodesis (bone fusion surgery)	102
decompression surgery	97
doctor visit	494
minimally invasive procedures	14
neck surgery	39
nerve procedures	97
spinal procedures	303

2022 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Aaron Clark, MD, PhD.

**Gender**
Male	243
Female	264

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	371
Black	27
Hispanic	34
Asian	42
Other	33
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	246
From 75 to 84	174
85 and over	31
Less than 65	56

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Aaron Clark, MD, PhD in 2022

Hypertension	72
High Cholesterol	74
Stroke	10
Ischemic Heart Disease	26
Depression	32
Chronic Kidney Disease	21
Asthma	16
Osteoperosis	27
Atrial Fibrilation	18
Heart Failure	14
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	15
Diabetes	22
Dementia	8
Cancer	16

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2023 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Aaron Clark, MD, PhD treated as a physician provider in San Francisco, CA during 2023 were spinal procedures, nerve procedures, decompression surgery and arthrodesis (bone fusion surgery).

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Aaron Clark, MD, PhD for Medicare patients.

arthrodesis (bone fusion surgery)	100
decompression surgery	100
doctor visit	485
neck surgery	35
nerve procedures	100
spinal procedures	306

2023 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Aaron Clark, MD, PhD.

**Gender**
Male	243
Female	232

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	369
Black	0
Hispanic	24
Asian	35
Other	26
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	221
From 75 to 84	175
85 and over	29
Less than 65	50

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Aaron Clark, MD, PhD in 2023

Hypertension	72
High Cholesterol	75
Stroke	10
Ischemic Heart Disease	24
Depression	32
Chronic Kidney Disease	18
Asthma	16
Osteoperosis	22
Atrial Fibrilation	15
Heart Failure	11
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	10
Diabetes	25
Dementia	5
Cancer	18

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2024 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Aaron Clark, MD, PhD treated as a physician provider in San Francisco, CA during 2024 were spinal procedures, nerve procedures, decompression surgery and arthrodesis (bone fusion surgery).

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Aaron Clark, MD, PhD for Medicare patients.

arthrodesis (bone fusion surgery)	61
decompression surgery	117
doctor visit	431
neck surgery	43
nerve procedures	117
spinal procedures	265

2024 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Aaron Clark, MD, PhD.

**Gender**
Male	233
Female	214

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	349
Black	0
Hispanic	21
Asian	33
Other	28
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	193
From 75 to 84	188
85 and over	27
Less than 65	39

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Aaron Clark, MD, PhD in 2024

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	75
Stroke	10
Ischemic Heart Disease	28
Depression	37
Chronic Kidney Disease	21
Asthma	16
Osteoperosis	24
Atrial Fibrilation	14
Heart Failure	13
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	15
Diabetes	22
Dementia	6
Cancer	18

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

Average Medicare Procedure Volume From 2015 - 2024

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Aaron Clark, MD, PhD for Medicare patients.

The highest averages for the top procedures that Dr. Aaron Clark, MD, PhD treated as a physician provider in San Francisco, CA were spinal procedures, arthrodesis (bone fusion surgery), nerve procedures and decompression surgery.

arthrodesis (bone fusion surgery)	69
decompression surgery	60
doctor visit	258
emergency care	11
hospital care	37
inpatient care	37
minimally invasive procedures	17
neck surgery	33
nerve procedures	60
spinal procedures	187

Average Medicare Patient Data From 2015 - 2024

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Aaron Clark, MD, PhD.

**Gender**
Male	162
Female	164

**Ethnicity**
Black / African American	10
Asian / Pacific Islander	25
Non-Hispanic White	242
Hispanic	21
Native American / Alaskan Native	0
Other	8

**Age**
75 to 84	103
85 and over	17
Less than 65	44
65 to 74	150

Average of Total of Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Aaron Clark, MD, PhD From 2015 - 2024

The highest averages of the most common conditions of Medicare patients that Dr. Aaron Clark, MD, PhD treated were hypertension, high cholesterol, depression and ischemic heart disease.

Hypertension	69
High Cholesterol	60
Stroke	8
Ischemic Heart Disease	30
Depression	35
Chronic Kidney Disease	28
Asthma	15
Osteoporosis	19
Heart Failure	16
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	15
Diabetes	27
Atrial Fibrillation	10
Cancer	14
Dementia	9

Education & Training

Dr. Aaron Clark, MD, PhD graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) School of Medicine. He completed residency at University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) Affiliated Hospitals. He is certified by the Board certification: Neurological Surgery, American Board of Neurological Surgery and has a state license in California.

Medical School: Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) School of Medicine

Residency: University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) Affiliated Hospitals (2014)

Board Certification: Board certification: Neurological Surgery, American Board of Neurological Surgery

Licensed In: California

Ratings & Reviews

Dr. Aaron Clark, MD, PhD has an exceptional overall rating with an average of 4.82 out of 5 stars based on 487 ratings. We collect ratings and reviews of Dr. Aaron Clark, MD, PhD from all over the web to help you find the right in San Francisco, CA.

4.82

Overall Rating

(487 Ratings)

Leave a Review

Reviews From Around The Web

Overall Rating: 5.0 2026-01-16

Patient verified via Press Ganey

Dr Clark and also Rahul Sastry the resident spent a lot of time listening and also Dr Clark explained his treatment recommendation while making sure he wasn't trying to press me to do surgery, which I appreciated. They took time to understand my symptoms and concerns and communicated well on the potential course of treatment. I only wish the visit could have been in person with a physical evaluation versus my self-reporting.

Overall Rating: 5.0 2026-02-21

Patient verified via Press Ganey

Both the PA and Dr Clark were very informative, friendly, great listeners, and overall provided a wonderful experience. I appreciated his noninvasive approach to care and felt like he gave great suggestions and cared about my situation. He was very optimistic, knowledgeable, and approachable.

Overall Rating: 5.0 2026-05-24

Patient verified via Press Ganey

Dr Clark is amazing! Wonderful bedside manner, listens and addresses concerns, answers all questions thoroughly never rushed excellent surgeon can't say enough -so very fortunate to have him as my surgeon.

Overall Rating: 5.0 2026-01-11

Patient verified via Press Ganey

The UCSF Spine Center is clearly the best in California and among the best in the US.

Overall Rating: 5.0 2026-03-13

Patient verified via Press Ganey

First time I met him. Answered my questions as best that he could.

Overall Rating: 5.0 2025-07-10

Patient verified via Press Ganey

Dr Clark was very empathetic, knowledgeable, and created trust.

Overall Rating: 5.0 2026-06-18

Patient verified via Press Ganey

The entire experience was World Class - absolutely excellent

Overall Rating: 5.0 2026-05-25

Patient verified via Press Ganey

On all points, provider excelled-could not be better.

General Payments

These charts describe general payments received by Dr. Aaron Clark, MD, PhD. Doctors may receive payments for a number of reasons, including meal compensation, travel compensation, and consulting.

**Payments by Company**
NUVASIVE, INC.	$131,324 XLIF $55,057	ALIF $19,871	iGA $10,267	COHERE $5,545	Pulse $4,223	Other $36,361
Alphatec Spine, Inc	$66,683 Other - Miscellaneous $64,186	LIF $567	Invictus MIS $292	Battalion TLIF - PC $123	Aspida $113	Other $1,402
Carlsmed, Inc.	$37,485 aprevo $37,485
icotec Medical Inc.	$4,329 KONG-TL VBR, END PLATE, RECTANGULAR, M AND SCREW, 12 X 33 MM $4,209	Vader Pedicle System $120
Medtronic, Inc.	$4,182 MAZOR X SYSTEM $2,758	UNID_PASS $1,114	SOVEREIGN $137	ANTERALIGN SPINAL SYSTEM WITH TITAN NANOLOCK SURFACE TECHNOLOGY $76	PIVOX Oblique Lateral Spinal System $25	Other $72
Other	$3,674 iFuse Implant $488	EVEREST $309	Symphony $242	MySpine $241	NSE Sonopet $175	Other $2,218

**Types of Payments**
Consulting Fee	$106,033
Travel and Lodging	$51,350
Compensation for serving as faculty or as a speaker for a non-accredited and noncertified continuing education program	$41,000
Food and Beverage	$30,848
Royalty or License	$18,360
Other	$86

Research Payments

Dr. Aaron Clark, MD, PhD has received 14 research payments totaling $675,509.

Biography

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.