Chan Gao, MD
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About
Dr. Chan Gao is a Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) at University of Michigan. He is a physician-scientist specializing in interventional spine and musculoskeletal medicine, with a focus on complex pain conditions and rehabilitation. Dr. Gao completed his medical and doctoral training (MD, PhD) followed by residency in PM&R at Vanderbilt University Medical Center (Nashville, TN) and fellowship in Sports Medicine and Interventional Spine at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (New York, NY). He has held prior academic appointments at McGill University (Montreal, Canada) before relocating to Ann Arbor to join Michigan Medicine. He is board certified in PM&R and Sports Medicine and is actively engaged in both clinical care and translational research.
Dr. Gao’s clinical practice centers on the comprehensive management of spine and musculoskeletal disorders, utilizing image-guided interventions alongside rehabilitation-based approaches to optimize patient outcomes. His research program focuses on the functional improvement following spinal cord injury and chronic musculoskeletal pain conditions. He leads translational studies integrating preclinical models, advanced imaging, molecular biology, and biomarker discovery. In parallel, he is developing innovative clinical trials, including novel approaches for refractory shoulder pain.
Dr. Gao is deeply committed to mentorship, collaboration, and academic development. He works closely with multidisciplinary teams across departments to advance musculoskeletal and neurorehabilitation research, and actively mentors trainees in both clinical and research settings. His academic efforts aim to bridge fundamental science with clinical innovation, improving care for patients with complex rehabilitation needs while contributing to the advancement of the field.
Locations
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Spine Procedure Clinic | Burlington Building 325 E Eisenhower Pkwy Ste 100
Ann Arbor, MI 48108-3364Get Directions -
Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Clinic | Burlington Building 325 E Eisenhower Pkwy Ste 100
Ann Arbor, MI 48108-3364Get Directions -
Endoscopy & Pain Clinic | Chelsea Professional Building 14650 E Old Hwy 12 Ste 202
Chelsea, MI 48118-1801Get Directions
Insurance Accepted
University of Michigan Health participates with most health insurance plans.
Education & Training
Medical School or Training
Residency
Fellowships
Board Certifications
Patient Ratings & Comments
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Patient Ratings
224 Patient Ratings
Patient Comments
June 27, 2026 - "Dr Gao was an excellent listener and provided good care and answers"
June 24, 2026 - "Listen, took into consideration my pain level. I truly appreciate his help and concerns. I appreciate him coming up with a plan for me to feel better. Thanks Dr Gao"
June 10, 2026 - "Dr. Gao did not go over any of this risks or "things to watch for"[...]"
May 21, 2026 - "Dr Gao was very professional and patient with me. [...] he made it a point to sit down and discuss his treatment with me which is very important to me. He was very thorough with his explanations and really listened to me [...]. Dr Gao is very knowledgeable and I would recommend him to anyone [...]"
May 20, 2026 - "Dr. Chan Gao definitely communicated what would be occurring during the procedure and how he would handle my case thoroughly. Very thoughtful during the procedure when he had to pivot as my case became more complicated due to a [...]; I experienced very little discomfort during or after the procedure."
May 20, 2026 - "While Dr. Gao's formal notes accurately document significant physical issues including [...], his bedside manner and communication before the examination were deeply concerning. [...] I felt my physical symptoms were dismissed and viewed entirely through a psychological lens before he even examined me. Because of this, I do not feel comfortable returning to his care."
May 3, 2026 - "This was my first time seeing Dr. Gao. There was a misunderstanding in the beginning regarding [...] but that was corrected after some conversation. During the procedure he was professional, efficient and supportive."
April 11, 2026 - "I didn't feel that Dr Gao listened to my concerns."
March 30, 2026 - "Dr. Gao took time to answer my questions. The answers seemed specific to my situation. His recommendations have directly reduced my level of pain in this and other visits."
February 17, 2026 - "[...] He was very thorough and professional, yet friendly and warm before, during & after the procedure. [...] Dr. Gao, we are lucky to have you!"
