Derek A. Taggard, M.D.

This biography is provided to acquaint you with my training and interests. I was born and raised in Colorado Springs, CO. My collegiate studies were at the United States Air Force Academy where I graduated as a Distinguished Graduate in 1992. After attending the University of Colorado School of Medicine, I was fortunate to obtain my training in spine and neurosurgery at the University of Iowa.

After finishing residency in 2002, I entered Active Duty military service in the U.S. Air Force at Travis Air Force Base in Northern California. Undoubtedly, the highlight of my time in the military was serving in Iraq in 2005 (Operation Iraqi Freedom) and then in Afghanistan (Operation Enduring Freedom) in 2009-10. I served as the Theatre Director of Spine and Neurosurgery while deployed in Afghanistan.

Once my military service commitment was completed, I joined a large multispecialty medical group in the Sacramento area for four years and was the Medical Director of Trauma and Emergency Neurosurgery at a Level II Trauma Center. After a brief period in Fort Worth where I was the Medical Director of the Spine Service at a Level I Trauma Center, I relocated to Fresno in 2016. As an inaugural member of Community Health Partners, I was excited to open the Spine & Neurosurgery office in late 2020 on the Clovis Community Medical Center campus.

My office practice is primarily devoted to addressing simple and complex spinal surgery. My particular focus and expertise is in cervical spine surgery and adult deformity surgery but I am also comfortable treating lumbar spine disorders. Spinal trauma and traumatic brain injury round out my professional interests.

I adore my wife, Ivy, who was a trauma and neuroscience critical care nurse. We like to bicycle, cook, and spend time in the wine country. Our blended family has her son with us full-time and my daughter is an engineering student at Fresno State.

Thank you for the opportunity to earn your respect and trust as a consulting neurosurgeon. It is my privilege to provide you an expert surgical opinion regarding your spinal care.