Dr. Derek Taggard was born and raised in Colorado Springs, CO, and graduated as a distinguished graduate from the United States Air Force Academy in 1992. Following his time at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, he pursued specialized training in spine and neurosurgery at the University of Iowa. Dr. Taggard commenced active duty in the U.S. Air Force at Travis Air Force Base in Northern California after completing his residency in 2002. Notably, he served in Iraq in 2005 and Afghanistan from 2009 to 2010, where he held the position of theatre director of spine and neurosurgery.

Upon fulfilling his military service, Dr. Taggard joined a large multispecialty medical group in the Sacramento area, where he served as the medical director of trauma and emergency neurosurgery at a level II trauma center. He later assumed the role of medical director of the spine service at a level I trauma center in Fort Worth before relocating to Fresno in 2016. As a founding member of Community Health Partners, he inaugurated the spine and neurosurgery office on the Clovis Community Medical Center campus in late 2020.

His practice primarily focuses on a broad array of spinal surgery, with expertise in cervical spine surgery, revision surgery and adult deformity surgery. Dr. Taggard also addresses lumbar spine disorders and has a keen interest in spinal trauma and traumatic brain injury. His wife, Ivy, is a nurse practitioner working in both pediatrics and facial aesthetics. They have a blended family and are proud of the accomplishments of their kids. They enjoy food & wine, travel and life with their Doberman pinschers. Dr. Taggard is honored to offer expert surgical opinions on spinal care and looks forward to earning the trust and respect of his patients.