Accepting new patients

Clifford Lin, M.D., M.A.Sc, F.R.C.S.(C)

Accepting new patients

  • Associate Professor of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation, School of Medicine

Specialty

  • Orthopaedic Surgery
  • Orthopaedics and rehabilitation

Clinical focus

  • Spinal Surgery
  • Spine

Locations and contact

I see patients at
Tall building with the ariel tram to its left
Center for Health & Healing, Building 1
503-494-8311
Read clinic details

About me

Dr. Lin is committed to ensuring patients receive the highest quality, patient-centered care. He specializes in the comprehensive care of spinal disease, from the cervical spine (neck) to the sacrum (tailbone). This includes degenerative conditions (disc herniation and stenosis), as well as spinal deformities (scoliosis, kyphosis and spondylolisthesis). He also has further interest in complex spinal conditions and revision surgery. Dr. Lin has advanced training in minimally invasive techniques to minimize surgical trauma and maximize recovery.

The diagnosis and treatment of spinal conditions is a complex process, and Dr. Lin relies on a thorough assessment to recommend the right surgery for the right patient at the right time.

Read patient stories from some of Dr. Lin's patients.

Languages spoken

  • English

Education and training

  • Degrees

    • M.D., 2009, Queen’s University

  • Residency

    • Orthopaedics, University of Toronto, Canada, 2014

  • Fellowship

    • Spine surgery, University of Toronto (University Health Network – Toronto Western Hospital), 2015

  • Certifications

    • American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery, 2017

Memberships and associations:

  • AO Spine North America
Read faculty profile

Insurance

Before scheduling an appointment

  1. Check your network. If you have health insurance,  call your company to find out if the OHSU Health location or provider you plan to visit is part of your network.
  2. Ask what you will pay. Your insurance company can tell you what your costs are likely to be.

If you schedule an appointment and your health insurance does not include OHSU Health, you may have to pay more than if you go to a provider in your insurance network. 

Visit our billing and insurance page for more information.

Ratings and reviews

Overall: 4.8 out of 5 (77 Ratings, 23 Reviews)

The patient ratings score is an average of all responses to the question "How likely would you be to recommend this provider to your family and friends (on a scale of 0 to 10)" on our nationally-recognized NRC patient surveys.

  1. Dr Lin was a pleasure to work with. He was always ready to answer questions in a way that I could understand what he was talking about and he made explaining the x-rays very easy so that I understood where the problems were and what he was going to do to prepare them. He has a great bedside man and I like definitely come back again if I needed to and I would definitely refer by any friends need services like this.

  2. Very pleasant, talked to me in terms I could understand. Went over x rays ect. Very easy to be around.

  3. I love this Doctors and his staff.

  4. He actually cared about my situation dealing with pain and raising my 2 grandsons.

  5. Very good.

  6. He is extremely thourough! I was very impressed with him.

  7. Seen Dr. Lin before and have always liked his approach - easy going but professional and inspires confidence. It is why we travel 3 hrs to seen him

  8. Always professional and informative.

  9. Dr. Lin took needed time to explain in understandable fashion what would be done in the course of the surgery and the likely outcomes. He did this with reference to the MRI image of my spine. I greatly appreciated his effort to help me understand.

  10. Excellent!

  11. Always excellent

  12. Quick and took care of all my needs

  13. Dr Lin was amazing!! I can't say enough good things about him. Dr Lin was friendly, easy to talk with, compassionate, and extremely knowledgeable. He addressed all my questions and concerns clearly and thoroughly. I never felt rushed. We decided not to proceed with surgery at this time but if surgery is needed in the future I definitely want Dr Lin to be my surgeon. Dr. Kat, the resident I talked to before Dr Lin came in, was excellent as well. And the assistant Nick was very congenial and helpful. My entire experience was stellar. I couldn't be happier with my experience with OHSU.

  14. Excellent in knowledge, clear explanation, kind demeanor

  15. Their concern for my health really shows. No condescending questions. Dr Lin is very knowledgeable and has good hands. You are lucky to have him on staff.

  16. Dr Lynn was a very likable guy from the first visit. He took the time to explain my situation to me and show me the x-rays and MRIS so I understood exactly what was going on. Is an excellent doctor.

  17. It was very straight forward due to my special needs.

  18. Dr. Lin did my surgery a year ago. He was wonderful then, and has continued to be so at each follow up visit.

  19. I have been coming there for years and I don't ever want to go anywhere else

  20. Everyone I interacted with was kind, spoke where I could understand them. Was very patient with me.

  21. Dr. Lin listened closely to my explanations of symptoms and the day-to-day difficulties I've been experiencing. He asked what seemed to me to be thoughtful questions. He explained fully and clearly what are my treatment options, leaving it to me decide without attempting to influence my choice.

  22. My doctor Clifford Lin is the one I want to work on my spine. Even if it's small surgery or a big surgery I would like him to do it. He shows me lots of respect and integrity.

  23. Dr. Lin and his staff are exceptional! Not only is he an excellent surgeon, this group really cares for you!!!! :)