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
You should include another catigory "Outstanding"!
Date
Feb 20, 2026Comment
Great
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Feb 18, 2026Comment
Dr. Petersen was excellent! I'd strongly recommend her to ANYONE!
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Feb 04, 2026Comment
I cannot speak highly enough about Dr. Petersen's caring, listening, explaining!
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Feb 01, 2026Comment
Dr. Peterson is a great physician. She answered all questions I asked. We have each other laughing. If I can make the doctor laugh, they are good.
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Jan 09, 2026Comment
Met with doctor about x-rays taken. Whether surgery was needed or not. Very knowledgeable about everything and described everything so that I was able to understand. Outstanding job
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Jan 09, 2026Comment
I couldn't have more confidence in the medical staff where my health is concerned.
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Dec 18, 2025Comment
Good
Date
Oct 08, 2025Comment
Hands down, Dr. Erika Petersen is one of the best doctors I have ever worked with.
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Oct 03, 2025Comment
Excellent!
Date
Sep 28, 2025