About Me

My name is Dr. Mark Clapper, and I am a fellowship-trained, board-certified orthopedic surgeon. I have been practicing since 1989 and have been a member of the Kaiser Permanente San Diego Orthopedic Surgery Department since 1997.

Biography

I grew up in the picturesque farm country of Pennsylvania, just outside of Reading. After graduating from the United States Naval Academy, I volunteered for nuclear submarine duty, serving on 2 different nuclear attack submarines. I then pursued a passion for medicine at the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences in Bethesda, Maryland. I remained in Bethesda for my residency before being assigned to the Naval Medical Center San Diego. There, I served as assistant chairman of the Orthopedics Surgery Department and as the orthopedics residency director, and I completed deployments in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. I also contributed to numerous scientific publications, including an article on fifth metatarsal fractures that continues to be cited in current research.


Upon retiring from the Navy, I joined the orthopedics team at Kaiser Permanente. Since joining, I have served a 6-year term as the chief of the Orthopedics Department, participated on the trauma team, and received the Kaiser Permanente Outstanding Administrator Award. I stay actively involved in the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons and the Orthopedic Trauma Association.

About my practice

My practice today focuses on general orthopedics. Many of the injuries I treat involve fractures. I strive to ensure that every member receives a thorough evaluation and is connected with the suitable treatment and provider for their specific injury or condition, whether or not that involves surgery. Our integrated system allows us to provide seamless and personalized transitions of care as needed.

 

My member-centered approach prioritizes listening to member concerns and providing comprehensive education. I take the time to review imaging results with members, explaining the details in an understandable way so they can fully grasp their condition and treatment expectations.

 

I find great challenge and reward in caring for individuals with musculoskeletal problems, and I gain fulfillment from serving others and supporting my community.

How I thrive

I thrive by keeping myself physically and mentally active. On weekends, I enjoy mountain biking, stand-up paddleboarding, and skiing, while during the week, I stay fit with road biking and indoor rowing. To keep my mind engaged, I read daily, whether it's medical literature or books for pleasure. Some of my favorite authors include Larry McMurtry, Jon Krakauer, Ivan Doig, Wallace Stegner, and other writers known for their Western themes.

 

When I'm not being active or reading, I enjoy mentoring students at Stanford University, attending plays, and spending quality time with my family. My wife and I have 4 sons, 2 of whom are proudly serving in the Navy.