Dr. Clifford Baker, MD

In My Own Words

Dr. Baker specializes in interventional spine and pain management and utilizes the most advanced techniques in interventional spine treatments and injections, including radiofrequency ablation, spinal cord stimulators, and kyphoplasties.   He performs electrodiagnostic testing (EMG/NCS) to assist in the diagnosis and management of painful nerve conditions including carpal tunnel syndrome, radiculopathy, and peripheral neuropathy.    After receiving his undergraduate degree in Microbiology at the University of Arizona, Dr. Baker continued to do research in microbiology at the University of Arizona and was awarded a NASA Space grant to study the effects of microgravity on the immune system.  He then received his Medical Degree at the University of Arizona in 2010 and went on to Loma Linda University Medical Center for his Internship and Residency in the field of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.  During his internship in Internal Medicine, he was honored with the "Internal Medicine Resident of the Year Award" for his compassionate care and work ethic.  He also served as Chief Resident during his residency and served on several committees to improve the residency program and education training for future residents.  Subsequently, he completed an ACGME-accredited fellowship in Interventional Spine & Pain Management which involves extensive training in all aspects of the diagnosis and treatment of spine disorders and painful conditions.   The distinction of being an ACGME Board-Certified Pain Management physician is important for patients to understand.  There are many practicing physicians in pain management who are not Board-Certified and thus have not gone through the necessary training and rigorous standards for testing that are required by the ACGME Board.  Our physicians at the NovaSpine Pain Institute are all ACGME-Board Certified in good standing.   Dr. Baker is actively engaged in the community, having served at the Commitment to Underserved People Program (CUP), providing health care services to underserved communities. He devoted his time, expertise, and support to patients and their families suffering from Alzheimer's disease at the Alzheimer's Association of Tucson.  Dr. Baker is a member of the American Academy of Pain Medicine (AAPM), American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (AAPM & R), American Association of Neuromuscular andElectrodiagnostic Medicine (AANEM), and International Spine Intervention Society (ISIS).