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Department Wellness and Preventive Medicine
Primary Location Cleveland Clinic Administrative Campus
Type of Doctor Both Adults and Children & Adolescents
Languages English
Surgeon No
Locations
Primary Location

Cleveland Clinic Administrative Campus

Specialties & Treatments

Treatment & Services

  • Integrative Medicine
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Insurance

Insurance

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Biography

About Robert Saper, MD

Dr. Saper joined Cleveland Clinic after serving as Director of Integrative Medicine for the Boston Medical Center Department of Family Medicine since 2004, where he founded the Program for Integrative Medicine and Health Disparities with a mission to provide evidence-based integrative health for all through clinical services, research and education. He also held positions as Professor of Family Medicine at Boston University School of Medicine, Director of the Family Medicine Academic Fellowship, Department Chair of Appointments and Promotions, and Patient Experience Champion.

Dr. Saper earned his medical degree from Harvard Medical School in 1988. He went on to complete an internship and residency in family practice at San Francisco General Hospital in 1991 and served as Chief Resident in family practice at the hospital from 1991-1992. Afterward, he practiced as full-spectrum private family practice physician in the San Francisco Bay Area.

In 2001, Dr. Saper launched a three-year undertaking to retrain for an academic medical career, completing a National Institute of Health (NIH)-funded fellowship in complementary alternative medicine research and faculty development at Harvard Medical School. In 2003, he both completed the fellowship and earned his master’s degree in public health from Harvard University.

In 2004, Dr. Saper joined the Boston University faculty and medical staff of Boston Medical Center. While on staff, he participated in several NIH-funded research studies, including a pilot study of yoga for chronic low back pain in predominantly low-income minorities. Other studies he conducted include comparing the effectiveness and cost of yoga, physical therapy and education for back pain, as well as yoga for back pain in veterans. Other major areas of his research cover the safety and efficacy of traditional Indian herbal medicines. Dr. Saper has held various leadership roles for various committees at the Boston University School of Medicine and Boston Medical Center, as well as for national organizations, such as the Academic Consortium for Integrative Medicine & Health.

Dr. Saper’s work has appeared in over 60 peer-reviewed publications; he has participated in 200 invited presentations; and received 25 research grants. Dr. Saper has received awards and honors for his accomplishments, including Recognition for Outstanding Teaching by Harvard Medical School and the Be Exceptional Award from Boston Medical Center. In addition to his medical, academic and research accomplishments, Dr. Saper is also a certified yoga teacher.

Education & Professional Highlights

Education & Professional Highlights

Appointed
2021

Education & Fellowships

Fellowship - Harvard Medical School
Complementary Medicine Research Fellowship
Boston, MA
2004

Graduate School - Harvard School of Public Health (Massachusetts)
MPH - NOT mpa, clinical effectiveness
Boston, MA United States
2003

Residency - University of California - San Francisco
Chief Resident
San Francisco, CA
1992

Residency - University of California- San Francisco
Family Medicine
San Francisco, CA
1991

Internship - Univ of California San Francisco General Hospital
family medicine internship
San Francisco, CA
1989

Medical Education - Harvard Medical School
Medicine
Boston, MA
1988

Undergraduate - Brandeis University
Biology major
Waltham, MA
1983

Certifications

  • Family Medicine
Research & Publications

Research & Publications

See publications for Robert Saper, MD.

(Disclaimer: This search is powered by PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine. PubMed is a third-party website with no affiliation with Cleveland Clinic.)

Industry Relationships

Industry Relationships

Cleveland Clinic physicians and scientists may collaborate with the pharmaceutical or medical device industries to help develop medical breakthroughs or provide medical expertise or education. Cleveland Clinic strives to make scientific advances that will benefit patient care and support outside relationships that promise public benefit. In order for the discoveries of Cleveland Clinic physicians' and scientists' laboratories and investigations to benefit the public, these discoveries must be commercialized in partnership with industry. As experts in their fields, Cleveland Clinic physicians and scientists are often sought after by industry to consult, provide expertise and education.

To assure professional and commercial integrity in such matters, Cleveland Clinic maintains a program that reviews these collaborations and, when appropriate, puts measures in place to minimize bias that may result from ties to industry. Cleveland Clinic publicly discloses the names of companies when (i) its physicians/scientists receive $5,000 or more per year (or, in rare cases, equity or stock options) for speaking and consulting, (ii) its physicians/scientists serve as a fiduciary, (iii) its physicians/scientists receive or have the right to receive royalties or (iv) its physicians/ scientists hold any equity interest for the physician's/scientist's role as inventor, discoverer, developer, founder or consultant.* In publicly disclosing this information, Cleveland Clinic tries to provide information as accurately as possible about its physicians' and scientists' connections with industry.

As of 7/3/2024, Dr. Saper has reported the financial relationships with the companies listed below. In general, patients should feel free to contact their doctor about any of the relationships and how the relationships are overseen by Cleveland Clinic. To learn more about Cleveland Clinic's policies on collaborations with industry and innovation management, go to our Integrity in Innovation page.

Donation of Financial Interest. Dr. Saper has consulted for, received compensation for serving as a fiduciary from, or received royalties from the following companies but instructed them to donate all compensation to not-for-profit causes or to the Cleveland Clinic to support research and education:

  • Epilepsy Wellness Advocates

Public Health Service-Reportable Financial Conflicts of Interest. Cleveland Clinic scientists and physicians engage in basic, translational and clinical research activities, working to solve health problems, enhance patient care and improve quality of life for patients. Interactions with industry are essential to bringing the researchers' discoveries to the public, but can present the potential for conflicts of interest related to their research activities. Click here to view a listing of instances where Cleveland Clinic has identified a Public Health Service (PHS)-Reportable Financial Conflict of Interest and has put measures in place to ensure that, to the extent possible, the design, conduct and reporting of the research is free from bias.

* Cleveland Clinic physicians and scientists subscribe to the guidance presented in the PhRMA Code on Interactions with Healthcare Professionals and the AdvaMed Code of Ethics on Interactions with Health Care Professionals. As such, gifts of substantial value are generally prohibited.

Patient Satisfaction Reviews

105 Patient Satisfaction Reviews

The Patient Satisfaction Rating is an average of all responses to the care provider related questions shown below from our nationally-recognized Press Ganey Patient Satisfaction Survey. Patients that are treated in outpatient or hospital environments may receive different surveys, and the volume of responses will vary by question.

Responses are measured on a scale of 1 to 5 with 5 being the best score.

The comments are submitted by patients and reflect their views and opinions. The comments are not endorsed by and do not necessarily reflect the views of Cleveland Clinic.

Overall Star Ratings
5 out of 5
Explains 5
Courtesy, Respect & Concern 5
Patient Rating of Doctor 5

29 Patient Comments

Reviewed on Dec 2, 2024

Dr. Saper is not only a Family Practicer, he is a very compassionate human being. He listens to you. He cares about you as a person. He's one of the best doctors I have ever had. Can you clone him so that many others can have the wonderful experiences that I have?

Reviewed on Nov 27, 2024

Understood me applied to it great doctor

Reviewed on Nov 20, 2024

Dr. Saper listened and answered all of my questions. I especially liked that he didn't hurry through the appointment, but took the necessary time to address any concerns that I might have. I really appreciated his ability to explain medical conditions and how they can impact our long term health. I would definitely recommend him to others.

Reviewed on Oct 30, 2024

Doctor was extremely friendly and listened to what I was saying. He also took great care to explain as much as he could to me, giving me all the basics I needed to understand what he thought the problem was, which I really appreciated.

Reviewed on Oct 23, 2024

First time meeting Dr. Saper. A very nice, compassionate, very understanding Doctor.

Reviewed on Oct 7, 2024

Dr. Saper is so attentive and truly an excellent physician. He provides comfort while discussing my health issues. God bless him

Reviewed on Oct 7, 2024

All the primary physicians I have had in the past years, Dr Saper and entire staff have been the greatest

Reviewed on Oct 7, 2024

Dr. Saper is a compassionate doctor.

Reviewed on Sep 24, 2024

Dr. Saper was wonderful! He was very kind, caring, and a good listener. He offered helpful suggestions, and was super nice and relatable. I felt he truly cared about me as a patient. It was an excellent experience.

Reviewed on Jul 30, 2024

Dr. Saper took a long time talking to me and my husband. He had a student, Dree with him who was very pleasant.

Reviewed on Jul 2, 2024

Doctors are very busy

Reviewed on May 28, 2024

Dr Saper is very responsive to needs

Reviewed on May 28, 2024

Dr Saper is the most caring doctor ever

Reviewed on May 15, 2024

Waited for hour in cubicle. Doctor didn't know I was there until I went and found him.

Reviewed on May 7, 2024

This doctor was exceptional, ask great questions and really demonstrated a strong level of care

Reviewed on Apr 29, 2024

Dr. Saper demonstrated professional conduct, supportive communication, and welcoming dialogue to assess my needs and discuss referrals and follow up appointments

Reviewed on Apr 2, 2024

Speaking with Dr. Saper (probably about 6 times now) has always been enjoyable, relaxed and informative.

Reviewed on Apr 2, 2024

Much rather see Dr Saper in person

Reviewed on Mar 27, 2024

Dr.Saper is an amazing person. Knowledgeable and very realistic/ relatable. Non judgmental yet, clear and factual about risk and prognosis.

Reviewed on Feb 28, 2024

Very happy with the physician

Reviewed on Feb 26, 2024

Best primary care doctor I've ever had!

Reviewed on Feb 12, 2024

Dr Saper is a great listener! Hard to find Doctor's that care

Reviewed on Feb 7, 2024

Dr Saper is the best I trust him

Reviewed on Feb 6, 2024

Dr Saper was very respectful and I felt listened to my concerns

Reviewed on Feb 5, 2024

The medical student and Dr. Saper were very friendly and caring.

Reviewed on Jan 17, 2024

Dr. Saper spent a considerable amount of time analyzing and explaining test results as well as options/recommendations for affecting current health issues. He's a GREAT doctor!

Reviewed on Dec 29, 2023

Dr. Saper has renewed my faith in medical professionals! He is compassionate, knowledgeable, and thorough. I feel so much more supported as I try to manage my health.

Reviewed on Dec 27, 2023

I appreciate that Dr. Saper listens and really hears what I'm saying, asking pertinent follow-up questions.

Reviewed on Dec 6, 2023

I had bloodwork done and the young lady was excellent, knows her job well!!

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