Headshot of Dr. Cliff Gronseth, a middle-aged doctor smiling, wearing a light blue dress shirt and pink tie, against a plain background.

Cliff Gronseth, MD

  • I was once told that I don’t have a brake pedal. I like to create organizations that energize the world to a better place.

    At Dartmouth College, I majored in geology, which led me to into a world of global travel in search of beautiful colored gemstones - a true “Indiana Jones” experience. On one of my trips to East Africa, a compassionate doctor saved me from a life-threatening bout of malaria, which catalyzed my pursuit into a career in medicine.

    After an outstanding education at Univ. of California Medical School and University of Michigan Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Residency, I was recruited by University of Colorado to help start the multidisciplinary CU Spine Center. That has been extremely successful.

    I started Spine West with the intention to be more available for my family. This private practice is now one of the largest independent Physiatry practices in the country and has won Best Medical Facility in Boulder County year after year.

    My passion for education led me to starting a software company to help others learn ultrasound. This, in turn, motivated to start a non-profit organization to teach life-saving ultrasound skills to health workers in low-income countries. In 2018 I was honored with the Humanitarian Award by the International Federation of Sonography Education and Research.

    I thrive on helping others. My philosophy is fairly simple: Find the source of a problem, fix what doesn’t work (preferably without surgery), and maximize what does work.

    Each patient encounter inspires me to provide the best care possible and to find ways to advance medicine where possible.

    When I’m not in the clinic, you might find me rowing, running, riding my bike, or spending time with my wife, children and grandchildren.

    • Residency: University of Michigan, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

    • Medical School: University of California – San Francisco

    • Undergraduate: Dartmouth College

    • Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation since 1996

    • RMSK certified: musculoskeletal ultrasound.

    • Founder, Spine West (2001)

    • Founder & CEO, 7D Imaging, Inc: Ultrasound education and software company (2012)

    • Founder & Chairman of Board, Nyagi Project (2015)

    • Founder & Former Director, University of Colorado Spine Center (1996-2001)

    • Past President, Boulder County Medical Society (2012, 2023)