Erika A. Petersen, M.D. Neurosurgeon
Primary Appointment Location
Neurosurgery Clinic
501 Jack Stephens Drive
UAMS Jackson T. Stephens Spine and Neuroscience Institute
Little Rock, AR 72205
- Appointment Phone Number
- 501-686-5270
New and Returning Patients
Overview
- Areas of Expertise
- Neurosurgery
- Spine Care
- Pain Management
- Accepting New Patients
- Yes (Referral Required)
- Patient Type
- Adults
- Language
- English
About Dr. Petersen
Clinical Biography
Erika Petersen, MD, FAANS, FACS Department of Neurosurgery University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Dr. Petersen directs the Section of Functional and Restorative Neurosurgery at UAMS Medical Center. She is a professor in the Department of Neurosurgery at UAMS and program director for the neurosurgery residency. Dr. Petersen is a board-certified neurosurgeon whose clinical practice focuses on neuromodulation, treating movement disorders, spasticity, and chronic pain through surgical procedures and stereotactic radiosurgery. Dr. Petersen’s research interests focus on developing new devices, indications, and methods for treating chronic pain using neuromodulation. Her collaborations with colleagues in interventional pain, neuroradiology, neurology and psychiatry are aimed toward identifying new applications for the use of deep brain stimulation and neuromodulation for pain. She is also involved in the study of privacy and cybersecurity implications of implanted neuromodulation devices, diversity and inclusion in surgery, and the applications of virtual reality technology in clinical neurosciences.
Dr. Petersen completed her undergraduate education at Princeton University and received her medical degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She trained in neurosurgery at the University of Texas Southwestern with a fellowship in deep brain stimulation at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery in London. Dr. Petersen has served on the Joint Section on Pain of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS)/Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS) and the CNS Scientific Programming Committee and sits on the Executive Board of the American Society of Pain and Neuroscience, where she is secretary. She serves as associate editor of stereotactic and functional neurosurgery for Operative Neurosurgery and Section Head Editor for Journal of Pain Research. She is on the editorial board of Neuromodulation and contributes as a reviewer for several other journals. Dr. Petersen lectures frequently at national and international meetings on neuromodulation for pain, emerging considerations and uses of neuromodulation, chronic pain management, and deep brain stimulation. She has authored numerous articles and book chapters related to stereotactic and functional neurosurgery and neuroscience.
Resources Related to Dr. Petersen
Success Story: Frank O’Mara (Article)
Frank O’Mara began showing the first signs of Parkinson’s Disease at 48. With the help of his neurology team, he is now able to live a comfortable life.
Read the Article
Spinal Cord Implant Provides Total Pain Relief For Participant (Video)
UAMS is taking part in a clinical trial to test a new kind of spinal cord stimulation device in patients with severe chronic pain.
Watch the VideoDr. Petersen's Academic Background
Faculty Appointments
- Department of Neurosurgery
- Professor
Education and Training
- Fellowship
- National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery
Functional Neurosurgery - Residency
- University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
Neurosurgery - Medical School
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- Undergraduate Education
- Princeton University
Professional Certifications
- American Board of Neurological Surgery — Neurological Surgery
Conditions Diagnosed or Treated by Dr. Petersen
UAMS Health providers care for a broad range of conditions, some of which may not be listed below.
Medical Treatments and Procedures Performed or Prescribed by Dr. Petersen
UAMS Health providers perform and prescribe a broad range of treatments and procedures, some of which may not be listed below.
Dr. Petersen's Areas of Expertise
Neurosurgery
Our neurosurgeons perform research, multiple clinical trials and are the leaders for simple and complex surgeries not available at other centers in Arkansas.
Spine Care (Part of Orthopaedics)
UAMS Health offers a complete range of services for the treatment of spinal conditions, no matter the cause.
Pain Management
The pain management specialists at UAMS Health offer the latest treatments and technologies for managing pain.
Locations Where Dr. Petersen Practices
Neurosurgery Clinic , Primary Location
501 Jack Stephens Drive
UAMS Jackson T. Stephens Spine and Neuroscience Institute
Little Rock, AR 72205
- Appointment Phone Number
- 501-686-5270
New and Returning Patients
Movement Disorders Clinic
501 Jack Stephens Drive
UAMS Jackson T. Stephens Spine and Neuroscience Institute
Little Rock, AR 72205
- Appointment Phone Number
- 501-686-5838
New and Returning Patients
Comment
I was also seen by a NEVRO representive, also exceptional.
Date
Nov 02, 2024Comment
I would have loved to get in sooner but I know it takes longer to get in to Dr. Petersen as she cares greatly about getting her patients helped to the best of her abilities by taking time with them to listen to everything they have to say! She never tries to rush her patients and asks questions to help bring out details that a patient may not have expressed. I know I'm in good hands with her! I would absolutely recommend her to anyone of need of an amazing neurosurgeon as she's the best and most understanding doctor I have ever had!
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Aug 29, 2024Comment
Great in every way!!
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Aug 29, 2024Comment
Dr. Petersen was wonderful and so was [NAME], her nurse.
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Aug 29, 2024Comment
It took many painful to be able to get in to see Dr Peterson. Even after seeing her it's going to take several more painful moths for treatment. I've just started seek help from UAMS and other than the long time waits I've been very pleased with the professionalism of the services.
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Aug 22, 2024Comment
Very pleased with Dr Petersen.
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Aug 15, 2024Comment
[IRRELEVANT] Dr. Petersen was very engaged in my consult which I found refreshing as most doctors won't even let me explain everything I need to about my rare condition. She exudes confidence, intelligence, trust and understanding of my 3 1/2 year plight for answers. She had a plan to rule some things out before jumping straight into a DBS surgery to identify my specific neurological problem if possible. This is something no other doctor or surgeon has been willing to do in my constant and on-going quest in seeking help for something that only a handful of doctors overall seem to even understand, much less are able to help with. For the first time in my exhausting journey, Dr. Petersen has given me hope that there may actually be a way to end or at least control my dystonia problem. I consider myself a good judge of people, especially doctors, having both worked beside them and depended on them for health reasons most of my adult life. With that in mind, I would have to say that my impression of Dr. Petersen after our first visit is that I simply like her very much. I have a good feeling about her and I love her politeness and respect she showed towards me. That is very rare in doctors. So far, I think she is fantastic. Again, for the first time, I am more than hopeful that she can help me find the answers I seek and I hope I am able to continue consulting with her in the future. I really don't want to have to travel back and forth to the Mayo Clinic. This is one doctor UAMS should hang on to, and if she had a web page, I'd give her 5 stars.
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Aug 01, 2024Comment
The doctor had amazing bedside manner. She was very attentive and cared about me as a patient and me as a person.
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Jul 25, 2024Comment
We have always had an excellent relationship with Dr. Petersen. She is honest. She tells it like it is. We have been very, very pleased. We highly recommend her to everybody in our area. We were really pleased with everything there. It's hard to get into her, but that's not her fault. She's good and she's busy, but we appreciate everything. It was very good. Thank you.
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Jun 20, 2024Comment
I never felt rushed. The time between arriving and seeing the doctor was excellent. Front office staff courteous and helpful.
Date
Jun 20, 2024