Your Surgeon
Dr. Samia Ghaffar, MD
Board-Certified Orthopaedic Spine Surgeon · Clovis, California
Every patient deserves more than a diagnosis—they deserve clarity, confidence, and a surgeon who listens. Dr. Samia Ghaffar is a board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopaedic spine surgeon and the founder of Ghaffar Spine in Clovis, California. After advanced fellowship training in complex spinal surgery at the University of Washington and Harborview Medical Center, she returned to the Central Valley with a singular purpose: to provide thoughtful, evidence-based spine care centered on the individual—not the image.
As the Central Valley's only female spine surgeon, Dr. Ghaffar is known for her meticulous approach, transparent communication, and unwavering commitment to conservative care whenever possible. Surgery is never the starting point—it is recommended only when a patient's symptoms, clinical examination, imaging findings, and personal goals all align. She established Ghaffar Spine to offer a different standard of care with a simple philosophy—one built on time, education, and individualized decision-making.
The mission of Ghaffar Spine is to provide world-class spine care grounded in precision, integrity, and compassion—where every patient feels respected, informed, and confident that they are receiving thoughtful care from diagnosis through recovery.
Board Certified
American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery
Fellowship Trained
University of Washington / Harborview
Academic Faculty
UCSF School of Medicine, Fresno
Languages
English, Urdu (fluent)
Clinical Philosophy
What Drives My Practice
The greatest reward in my practice is witnessing transformation. Caring for patients with spinal disorders is a privilege I never take for granted. Patients often come to me after months or years of debilitating pain, progressive weakness, or loss of function—uncertain whether they will ever return to the life they once enjoyed. Watching them regain their independence, return to work, care for their families, pursue the activities they love, and rediscover confidence in their bodies is what makes this work deeply meaningful.
Every recommendation I make is guided by a simple principle: treat the patient, not the MRI. My goal is not simply to perform surgery—it is to provide the right treatment for the right patient at the right time. My responsibility is to understand your story, identify the true source of your symptoms, and recommend the treatment that offers the greatest opportunity for meaningful, lasting improvement. Whether that path involves surgery or conservative care, my goal is always the same—to help you regain function, restore quality of life, and move forward with confidence.
Why Ghaffar Spine
What Sets This Practice Apart
Three things make this practice different from other spine surgery options in the Central Valley:
A local surgeon, with national training
Dr. Ghaffar's story is a return home. Raised in the Central Valley, she understands the people, the values, and the community she now serves. Her path took her from local roots to nationally recognized training at UC Davis, UC Irvine, UCSF Fresno, and the University of Washington and Harborview Medical Center, where she developed expertise in complex spinal surgery. She chose to return because this community is more than a place to practice medicine—it is home. The patients she cares for are not numbers or appointments on a schedule. They are members of the same community she lives in and cares deeply about.
A New Perspective in Spine Care
As the only female spine surgeon in the Central Valley, Dr. Ghaffar brings a unique perspective to a specialty where women remain underrepresented. She believes that meaningful care begins with trust—the ability for patients to feel heard, understood, and comfortable sharing their concerns. Every diagnosis starts with listening. Every treatment plan begins with understanding. By creating an environment built on openness and respect, Dr. Ghaffar helps empower patients to become active partners in decisions about their spine health.
Bringing Advanced Spine Techniques Home
Innovation in spine surgery requires technical expertise and careful patient selection. Dr. Ghaffar performs advanced procedures, including prone lateral transpsoas lumbar fusion, and utilizes robotic-assisted technology to enhance surgical planning and precision in appropriately selected patients. By bringing advanced techniques and technology from leading academic centers to the Central Valley, Dr. Ghaffar is expanding access to modern spine care while maintaining a commitment to individualized treatment and thoughtful decision-making.
Education & Training
Training and Credentials
From medical school through fellowship, Dr. Ghaffar's path ran through some of the country's most respected orthopaedic programs.
Medical School
UC Irvine School of Medicine
MD
Residency
UCSF Fresno
Orthopaedic Surgery
Fellowship
University of Washington / Harborview Medical Center
Orthopaedic Spine
Today
UCSF School of Medicine, Fresno
Program Director, Assistant Clinical Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery
Board certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery
UCSF Program DirectorSurgical Practice
Surgical Expertise
Dr. Ghaffar's clinical practice covers the full range of spinal pathology from the upper cervical spine to the sacrum.
Conditions treated
Procedures performed regularly
Cervical spine
Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF), cervical artificial disc replacement, and posterior cervical fusion.
Lumbar & thoracic spine
Lumbar microdiscectomy, lumbar and thoracic laminectomy, and cervical and lumbar fusion.
Prone lateral transpsoas fusion
Signature
A minimally invasive lumbar fusion technique Dr. Ghaffar is one of the few surgeons in the Central Valley to perform.
Surgical Privileges & Memberships
Where Dr. Ghaffar Operates
Clovis Community Medical Center
Clovis, CA
Community Regional Medical Center (CRMC)
Fresno, CA
Fresno Heart & Surgical Hospital
Fresno, CA
Saint Agnes Medical Center
Fresno, CA
Madera Community Hospital
Madera, CA
Member of
AAOSAmerican Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
NASSNorth American Spine Society
A Note from Dr. Ghaffar
“Spine surgery has earned a reputation that makes many patients understandably hesitant. I believe that hesitation deserves respect—not dismissal. My role is not simply to perform procedures; it is to help patients understand their condition, explore every reasonable option, and make decisions with confidence. The most important part of my job begins before the operating room—with listening, educating, and ensuring that surgery is truly the right path forward. I do not treat MRI findings alone. I treat people.”
— Samia Ghaffar, MD
Research & Scholarship
Published Research
Dr. Ghaffar has co-authored peer-reviewed research in spine surgery, orthopaedic trauma, and bone-tumor biology.
Spine
“Is Routine MRI of the Spine Necessary in Trauma Patients with Ankylosing...”
Orthopaedic Trauma
“Short vs Long Intramedullary Nails in the Treatment of Pertrochanteric...”
Tumor Biology
“Dkk-3, a Secreted Wnt Antagonist, Suppresses Tumorigenic Potential...”
Tumor Biology
“Wnt Signaling in Osteosarcoma: Implications for Therapy”
Clarity Starts With the Right Evaluation.
Whether you’re seeking answers about a spinal condition, exploring options after unsuccessful conservative treatment, or considering surgery and want a second opinion, Dr. Ghaffar offers a thoughtful, comprehensive approach to your care.
By carefully reviewing your imaging, understanding your symptoms, and considering your individual goals, he helps you gain a clearer understanding of your condition and the treatment options available to you.
Expert insight. Personalized guidance. Confidence in your next step.