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Dr. Heather Baer, MD

Specializes in: Physiatry (Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation)
University of Colorado Denver School of Medicine (1994)
Professional interests include: stroke, spinal cord injury, neurological disorders, and more.
1635 Aurora Court
Aurora, CO 80045

Dr. Heather Baer, MD is a physiatrist in Aurora, CO specializing in physiatry (physical medicine & rehabilitation). She graduated from University of Colorado Denver School of Medicine in 1994 and has 32 years of experience. Dr. Heather Baer, MD is affiliated with UCHealth, University of Colorado Medicine and UCHealth Anschutz Outpatient Pavilion - University of Colorado Hospital.

View Doctor's Full Profile (720) 848-0000

Office Locations

12605 E 16th Avenue
Aurora, CO 80045
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University of Colorado Medicine

1635 Aurora Court
Aurora, CO 80045
(720) 848-0000
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University of Colorado Medicine

5495 Arapahoe Avenue Second Floor
Boulder, CO 80303
(303) 544-3900
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Some issues Dr. Heather Baer, MD can help you with:

Spinal Cord Injury

Spinal cord injury medicine is a branch of medicine that treats damage to the spinal cord from an injury or a nontraumatic myelopathy, which is any disorder that affects the spinal area. The spinal cord is a section of nerve tissue protected by the vertebrae (spinal bones). Trauma to the spinal cord, typically caused by compression or bent vertebrae, prevents the body and brain from communicating. This can result in pain, loss of sensation, and impaired physical function and movement. Acute spinal cord injuries (SCIs) are a leading cause of permanent disability. Spinal cord injuries may develop from accidents or myelopathies, disorders that provoke spinal compression. Traumatic incidents such as falls, sports injuries, vehicle accidents, and bullet or stab wounds can cause an acute spinal cord injury.

Spinal cord injury medicine seeks to stabilize the spine and to alleviate the symptoms of spine damage. Practitioners of spinal cord injury medicine are called spinal cord injury specialists. Spinal cord injury medicine is an interdisciplinary field, meaning physicians of various specialties may be trained to treat spinal cord injuries.

Damage to the spinal cord may initially be diagnosed through X-ray, MRI, or CT scans. Patients can also undergo spinal exams to evaluate their sensory ability and strength. Injuries to the spinal cord can be complete (no feeling or sensation) or incomplete (some feeling or sensation remains). Conditions spinal cord injury medicine specialists may treat include:

  • Paralysis, such as paraplegia (loss of function in the legs), or quadriplegia (loss of function from the neck down)
  • Spine fracture or trauma, which can lead to impairment and/or significant pain
  • Spinal infections
  • Myelopathies, such as herniated disks, spinal tumors, and rheumatoid arthritis
  • Inflammatory diseases such as ankylosing spondylosis, and degenerative conditions like Lou Gehrig's disease (ALS)

Treatment for spinal cord injuries often involves surgery, either directly after an injury occurs or at a later date. Surgery for spine injuries is intended to ease spinal compression and stabilize the spine. Surgical procedures can involve shifting vertebrae, removing bone, or altering spinal placement with implantable devices. Patients with significant spinal trauma may require urgent surgical intervention.

Surgical treatments can be complemented by rehabilitative physical therapy to improve mobility. Spinal cord injury specialists also treat complications arising from a spinal injury, such as respiratory or bladder conditions. Some patients with spinal cord injuries may require lifelong treatment. Spinal cord injury specialists aim to help these patients successfully adjust and lead an improved quality of life. An emerging treatment for spinal cord injuries is neural prosthetics, which replicate patients' lost nerve function. Neural prostheses may be used as artificial body parts or assistive devices that patients may cognitively control. Other assistive devices include wheelchairs and scooters.

Spinal cord injury specialists may collaborate with physical therapists, radiologists, neurologists, urologists, and orthopedists.

Stroke

A stroke is a medical emergency that occurs when a blood vessel supplying oxygen and nutrients to the brain is ruptured or blocked. The brain cannot function without a steady supply of oxygen and nutrients, so when the blood supply to the brain is interrupted, even for a brief moment, brain cells begin to die. When a sufficient number of brain cells die, the brain itself can no longer function, meaning that strokes are very dangerous. Strokes can result in impaired movement, speech, cognitive ability, the impairment of important physical functions, and even death.

Anyone can have a stroke, regardless of age and health. Strokes are known to happen at random. However, certain conditions and behaviors can increase one's risk of stroke over time.

Risk factors for stroke include:

  • Heart disease
  • Older age
  • Smoking
  • Diabetes
  • High blood pressure
  • High blood cholesterol and lipids

There are two main types of stroke: ischemic stroke and hemorrhagic stroke. Ischemic stroke occurs more commonly and is when a blood vessel in the brain becomes blocked. Blockages are caused by blood clots and built-up plaque (deposits of fat and cholesterol), which leads to atherosclerosis, a condition where the blood vessels narrow and harden. The resultant restricted blood flow may lead to an ischemic stroke by blocking essential oxygen to the brain, causing the heart to exert more effort to pump blood.

Hemorrhagic stroke occurs when a blood vessel in or around the brain ruptures. The burst vessel leaks blood into surrounding brain tissue, causing irreparable brain damage.

Hemorrhagic strokes are less common and may occur from head injuries, brain aneurysms, brain tumors, and bleeding disorders, amongst other conditions.

Both ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes require immediate medical treatment. Medical intervention can prevent severe and life-threatening brain damage. Signs of stroke include:

-Disorientation or confusion

-Difficulty speaking

-Difficulty walking

-Impaired vision

-Weakness in the face, legs, or arms

-Severe headaches

When someone suspected of having a stroke reaches the hospital, the patient will usually receive a CT or other scan that provides an image of the brain. The scan results can reveal clotted or leaking blood in the brain. Physical exams, neurological exams, and blood tests may also be used to check for blood clotting and sugar. Treatment begins generally immediately if a stroke is detected.

Medical treatment for ischemic strokes includes a thrombolytic medicine which breaks up and disperses blood clots. This medicine can greatly improve stroke recovery and long-term health. However, the thrombolytic medicine must be administered as soon as possible to achieve these results. Other treatments for ischemic strokes are blood thinners and thrombectomy, a surgical procedure to remove a blood clot in the brain. Thrombectomy is performed by inserting a catheter (thin needle) into the artery to reach the blood clot and mechanically remove it. With the clot removed, normal blood flow to the brain resumes. Thrombectomy is typically performed at most six hours after a patient shows signs of a stroke.

Hemorrhagic strokes are treated with blood-saving medication and surgery. For a hemorrhagic stroke caused by the rupture of an aneurysm (blood vessel bulges), surgery to stem the bleeding aneurysm and vessel may be used. One surgical technique is stent-assisted coiling, which adds a stent (small wire-meshed tube) into the blood vessel to block the leaking opening of the aneurysm. A non-surgical procedure is endovascular coiling, where a catheter (thin, hollow needle) places a platinum wire coil at the spot of the aneurysm. The coil blocks bleeding and prevents the aneurysm from continuing to leak blood. These procedures are usually combined with blood-thickening medications. Blood transfusions may be administered if substantial blood loss has occurred.

Since stroke patients may have lost some essential functions while the blood flow to their brains was obstructed, both ischemic stroke and hemorrhage stroke patients may receive post-stroke rehabilitation to rebuild their physical and mental abilities. Some restorative treatments include occupational, physical, and speech therapy. Patients may also receive care from neurologists, who can assist patients in recovering certain brain functions and cognitive abilities, and rehabilitation psychologists, who may help patients with their emotional, behavioral, and cognitive recovery. Some stroke patients require lengthy rehabilitation and may never fully regain function, while others may recover more quickly. While the fastest recovery improvements are usually seen in the first three or four months, stroke rehabilitation can last for years.

If someone begins to show signs of stroke, contact emergency services and call 9-1-1 immediately since blood flow must be restored as soon as possible to help avoid significant brain damage. If an ambulance takes the person to the hospital, paramedics can initiate stroke treatment as soon as the patient enters the ambulance, allowing for more prompt medical intervention and care.

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2012 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Heather Baer, MD treated as a physiatrist in Aurora, CO during 2012 were minimally invasive procedures, injections, hospital care and inpatient care.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Heather Baer, MD for Medicare patients.

doctor visit 597
hospital care 34
injections 102
inpatient care 34
minimally invasive procedures 102

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2013 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Heather Baer, MD treated as a physiatrist in Aurora, CO during 2013 were minimally invasive procedures, injections, hospital care and inpatient care.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Heather Baer, MD for Medicare patients.

doctor visit 629
hospital care 28
injections 108
inpatient care 28
minimally invasive procedures 108

2013 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Heather Baer, MD.

Gender
Male 213
Female 197
Ethnicity
Non-Hispanic White 313
Black 30
Hispanic 44
Asian 0
Other 0
Native American 0
Age
From 65 to 74 145
From 75 to 84 90
85 and over 25
Less than 65 150

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Heather Baer, MD in 2013

Hypertension 50
High Cholesterol 35
Stroke 7
Ischemic Heart Disease 22
Depression 41
Chronic Kidney Disease 21
Asthma 7
Osteoperosis 12
Atrial Fibrilation 7
Heart Failure 12
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 11
Diabetes 22
Dementia 16
Cancer 8

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2014 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Heather Baer, MD treated as a physiatrist in Aurora, CO during 2014 were hospital care and inpatient care.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Heather Baer, MD for Medicare patients.

doctor visit 577
hospital care 64
inpatient care 64

2014 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Heather Baer, MD.

Gender
Male 192
Female 218
Ethnicity
Non-Hispanic White 321
Black 32
Hispanic 39
Asian 0
Other 0
Native American 0
Age
From 65 to 74 159
From 75 to 84 89
85 and over 15
Less than 65 147

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Heather Baer, MD in 2014

Hypertension 52
High Cholesterol 36
Stroke 11
Ischemic Heart Disease 24
Depression 41
Chronic Kidney Disease 23
Asthma 9
Osteoperosis 14
Atrial Fibrilation 9
Heart Failure 13
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 12
Diabetes 25
Dementia 15
Cancer 8

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2015 Medicare Procedure Volume

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Heather Baer, MD for Medicare patients.

doctor visit 608

2015 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Heather Baer, MD.

Gender
Male 352
Female 366
Ethnicity
Non-Hispanic White 548
Black 60
Hispanic 68
Asian 0
Other 0
Native American 0
Age
From 65 to 74 268
From 75 to 84 166
85 and over 28
Less than 65 256

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Heather Baer, MD in 2015

Hypertension 47
High Cholesterol 31
Stroke 11
Ischemic Heart Disease 26
Depression 38
Chronic Kidney Disease 17
Asthma 14
Osteoperosis 13
Atrial Fibrilation 5
Heart Failure 11
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 11
Diabetes 20
Dementia 18
Cancer 10

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2016 Medicare Procedure Volume

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Heather Baer, MD for Medicare patients.

doctor visit 609

2016 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Heather Baer, MD.

Gender
Male 162
Female 182
Ethnicity
Non-Hispanic White 278
Black 19
Hispanic 29
Asian 0
Other 0
Native American 0
Age
From 65 to 74 115
From 75 to 84 87
85 and over 21
Less than 65 121

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Heather Baer, MD in 2016

Hypertension 42
High Cholesterol 28
Stroke 6
Ischemic Heart Disease 19
Depression 34
Chronic Kidney Disease 18
Asthma 15
Osteoperosis 13
Atrial Fibrilation 5
Heart Failure 8
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 8
Diabetes 19
Dementia 19
Cancer 8

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2017 Medicare Procedure Volume

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Heather Baer, MD for Medicare patients.

doctor visit 572

2017 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Heather Baer, MD.

Gender
Male 176
Female 142
Ethnicity
Non-Hispanic White 271
Black 13
Hispanic 18
Asian 0
Other 0
Native American 0
Age
From 65 to 74 113
From 75 to 84 88
85 and over 16
Less than 65 101

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Heather Baer, MD in 2017

Hypertension 46
High Cholesterol 27
Stroke 6
Ischemic Heart Disease 22
Depression 36
Chronic Kidney Disease 17
Asthma 10
Osteoperosis 12
Atrial Fibrilation 7
Heart Failure 8
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 10
Diabetes 14
Dementia 24
Cancer 5

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2018 Medicare Procedure Volume

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Heather Baer, MD for Medicare patients.

doctor visit 640

2018 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Heather Baer, MD.

Gender
Male 173
Female 155
Ethnicity
Non-Hispanic White 276
Black 20
Hispanic 15
Asian 0
Other 0
Native American 0
Age
From 65 to 74 125
From 75 to 84 86
85 and over 15
Less than 65 102

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Heather Baer, MD in 2018

Hypertension 44
High Cholesterol 28
Stroke 9
Ischemic Heart Disease 23
Depression 38
Chronic Kidney Disease 19
Asthma 7
Osteoperosis 15
Atrial Fibrilation 6
Heart Failure 8
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 9
Diabetes 16
Dementia 23
Cancer 8

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2019 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Heather Baer, MD treated as a physiatrist in Aurora, CO during 2019 were hospital care and inpatient care.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Heather Baer, MD for Medicare patients.

doctor visit 655
hospital care 22
inpatient care 22

2019 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Heather Baer, MD.

Gender
Male 187
Female 163
Ethnicity
Non-Hispanic White 294
Black 17
Hispanic 15
Asian 0
Other 12
Native American 0
Age
From 65 to 74 136
From 75 to 84 102
85 and over 23
Less than 65 89

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Heather Baer, MD in 2019

Hypertension 50
High Cholesterol 34
Stroke 12
Ischemic Heart Disease 24
Depression 33
Chronic Kidney Disease 22
Asthma 8
Osteoperosis 14
Atrial Fibrilation 8
Heart Failure 8
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 9
Diabetes 13
Dementia 25
Cancer 10

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2020 Medicare Procedure Volume

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Heather Baer, MD for Medicare patients.

doctor visit 536

2020 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Heather Baer, MD.

Gender
Male 151
Female 162
Ethnicity
Non-Hispanic White 258
Black 19
Hispanic 18
Asian 0
Other 0
Native American 0
Age
From 65 to 74 122
From 75 to 84 74
85 and over 26
Less than 65 91

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Heather Baer, MD in 2020

Hypertension 44
High Cholesterol 34
Stroke 10
Ischemic Heart Disease 22
Depression 32
Chronic Kidney Disease 27
Asthma 8
Osteoperosis 13
Atrial Fibrilation 6
Heart Failure 10
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 8
Diabetes 17
Dementia 19
Cancer 9

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2021 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Heather Baer, MD treated as a physiatrist in Aurora, CO during 2021 were hospital care and inpatient care.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Heather Baer, MD for Medicare patients.

doctor visit 535
hospital care 37
inpatient care 37

2021 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Heather Baer, MD.

Gender
Male 175
Female 204
Ethnicity
Non-Hispanic White 324
Black 0
Hispanic 21
Asian 0
Other 16
Native American 0
Age
From 65 to 74 164
From 75 to 84 95
85 and over 33
Less than 65 87

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Heather Baer, MD in 2021

Hypertension 46
High Cholesterol 42
Stroke 11
Ischemic Heart Disease 24
Depression 38
Chronic Kidney Disease 26
Asthma 8
Osteoperosis 17
Atrial Fibrilation 8
Heart Failure 11
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 9
Diabetes 15
Dementia 23
Cancer 10

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2022 Medicare Procedure Volume

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Heather Baer, MD for Medicare patients.

doctor visit 459

2022 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Heather Baer, MD.

Gender
Male 154
Female 151
Ethnicity
Non-Hispanic White 267
Black 0
Hispanic 0
Asian 0
Other 15
Native American 0
Age
From 65 to 74 115
From 75 to 84 101
85 and over 23
Less than 65 66

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Heather Baer, MD in 2022

Hypertension 53
High Cholesterol 54
Stroke 7
Ischemic Heart Disease 17
Depression 34
Chronic Kidney Disease 15
Asthma 8
Osteoperosis 18
Atrial Fibrilation 13
Heart Failure 10
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 12
Diabetes 13
Dementia 11
Cancer 14

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

Average Medicare Procedure Volume From 2012 - 2022

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Heather Baer, MD for Medicare patients.

The highest averages for the top procedures that Dr. Heather Baer, MD treated as a physiatrist in Aurora, CO were minimally invasive procedures, injections, hospital care and inpatient care.

doctor visit 583
hospital care 37
injections 105
inpatient care 37
minimally invasive procedures 105

Average Medicare Patient Data From 2012 - 2022

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Heather Baer, MD.

Gender
Male 175
Female 176
Ethnicity
Black / African American 19
Asian / Pacific Islander 0
Non-Hispanic White 286
Native American / Alaskan Native 0
Hispanic 24
Other 3
Age
75 to 84 88
85 and over 20
Less than 65 110
65 to 74 132

Average of Total of Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Heather Baer, MD From 2012 - 2022

The highest averages of the most common conditions of Medicare patients that Dr. Heather Baer, MD treated were hypertension, depression, high cholesterol and ischemic heart disease.

Hypertension 43
High Cholesterol 31
Stroke 8
Ischemic Heart Disease 20
Depression 33
Chronic Kidney Disease 18
Asthma 8
Osteoporosis 12
Heart Failure 9
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 9
Diabetes 15
Atrial Fibrillation 6
Dementia 17
Cancer 8

Education & Training

Dr. Heather Baer, MD graduated from University of Colorado Denver School of Medicine in 1994. She completed residency at Emory University Affiliated Hospitals. She has a state license in Colorado.

Medical School: University of Colorado Denver School of Medicine (1994)

Residency: Emory University Affiliated Hospitals (1996)

Licensed In: Colorado

Affiliations & Hospitals

Dr. Heather Baer, MD is associated with these hospitals and organizations:

UCHealth
University of Colorado Medicine
UCHealth Anschutz Outpatient Pavilion - University of Colorado Hospital

Ratings & Reviews

Dr. Heather Baer, MD has an exceptional overall rating with an average of 4.98 out of 5 stars based on 50 ratings. We collect ratings and reviews of Dr. Heather Baer, MD from all over the web to help you find the right in Aurora, CO. 

4.98
Overall Rating
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General Payments

These charts describe general payments received by Dr. Heather Baer, MD. Doctors may receive payments for a number of reasons, including meal compensation, travel compensation, and consulting.

Payments by Company
Medtronic USA, Inc. $909 Drug Infusion Systems - Neuro
$640 		Deep Brain Neurostimulation
$269
AbbVie, Inc. $806 Duopa
$806
Merz North America, Inc. $200 Xeomin
$200
Piramal Critical Care $126 GABLOFEN 1 mL in 1 SYRINGE, GLASS
$126
Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc. $75 ONGENTYS
$75
Other $94 BOTOX
$83 		Drug Infusion Systems - Neuro
$11
Types of Payments
Food and Beverage $1,210
Travel and Lodging $919
Education $83

Biography

Dr. Heather Baer is a medical specialist in physiatry (physical medicine & rehabilitation). She has received a 5.0 out of 5 star rating by her patients. Areas of expertise for Dr. Baer include spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis (MS), and parkinson's disease. Dr. Baer's hospital/clinic affiliations include the University of Colorado Hospital and the University of Colorado Medicine. After attending the University of Colorado Denver School of Medicine, she completed her residency training at a hospital affiliated with Emory University.

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