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Carlin H. Senter

MD

Primary care sports medicine specialist
Director, Primary Care Sports Medicine
Co-director, Sports Concussion Program
Lifelong athlete and Oakland A's fan

Dr. Carlin Senter is a primary care sports medicine doctor who focuses on helping patients of all ages stay active, reduce injury risk and achieve peak performance. She has particular interests in exercise counseling and exercise prescription as well as in treating sports concussions. She serves as the director of Primary Care Sports Medicine Service within UCSF Division of Sports Medicine and Shoulder Surgery and is co-director of the UCSF Sports Concussion Program.

Senter's research focuses on enhancing musculoskeletal education for primary care clinicians. She designs programs to increase knowledge of the musculoskeletal system and improve diagnostic skills among medical students, residents and practicing clinicians. She also co-chairs two annual continuing education courses in sports medicine.

Senter earned her medical degree at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. She then completed a residency in internal medicine at the University of Washington Medical Center, followed by a fellowship in primary care sports medicine at UCLA.

Senter belongs to the American College of Physicians, American Medical Society for Sports Medicine, American College of Sports Medicine and Society of General Internal Medicine. She has received numerous awards for teaching and service.

Senter grew up in the East Bay, where she was a three-sport high school athlete. As an undergraduate at Harvard College, she rowed for Radcliffe Crew. She is currently team physician for University of San Francisco, Academy of Art University and Washington High School.

In her free time, Senter enjoys running at Lands End, hiking in Marin County, eating It's-It ice cream sandwiches and cheering for the Oakland Athletics.

  • Education

    David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, 2004

  • Residencies

    University of Washington Medical Center, Internal Medicine, 2008

  • Fellowships

    UCLA Health System, Primary Care Sports Medicine, 2009

  • Board Certifications

    Internal Medicine, American Board of Internal Medicine

    Sports Medicine, American Board of Internal Medicine

  • Academic Title

    Professor

"As a physician, it feels important to counsel people to be active."

Where I see patients (4)

    My work

    Targeted orthopedic care for women athletes

    As part of the Women's Sports Medicine Center, Dr. Senter offers specialized care for female-identifying athletes.

    Whether my patients run, bike, swim or walk, I'm dedicated to helping them reap all the health benefits of physical activity.

    My reviews

    4.9

    Overall Experience
    322 Ratings
    About our process
    Aug 24, 2024
    Great doctors are far and few in between. To find a doctor like Dr. Senter who cares about you as a person and really listened to pain was amazing. I know she sees thousands of people but she treated me like I was the only one. Thank you Dr. Senter.
    Aug 24, 2024
    Dr Senter was caring, thorough, provided clear recommendations, and made sure to address all my questions.
    May 31, 2024
    Dr. Senter, her fellow Dr. Tao and the team formed a well-coordinated, informative, effective and kind approach to my orthopedic issues.
    May 22, 2024
    Excellent all around.
    May 17, 2024
    I am so glad that my doctor has another clinic that helps me with my present problem. Also I want to say something to the nurse practitioner who help me when I started this problem and she is also very nice and helpful to me when I was very sick, checking and responding to all my messages and directing me on Wht to do with my problem. Both Dr Senter and NP Molly Kenward are both helpful during that time.
    May 15, 2024
    Have recommended provider in past and will do so in future.
    May 08, 2024
    Dr. Senter's care for me was excellent.
    May 04, 2024
    Dr. Senter listened very carefully to my concerns. She was very knowledgeable and helpful in addressing my problems.
    Jan 06, 2024
    Carlin Senter is excellent !!!
    Jan 04, 2024
    Excellent MD.
    Dec 23, 2023
    Dr. Senter is simply the BEST sports doctor at the UCSF Orthopedic Institute at Mission Bay.
    Dec 22, 2023
    Absolutely loved my Dr. She was one of the best I have seen in the last 10 years. Very thorough and thoughtful. I felt she was invested in my road to health.
    Dec 21, 2023
    Dr Senter is very alert and responsive. Looking into the root cause before administering next step. Scheduling an MRI to diagnose the issue with my leg.
    Dec 20, 2023
    I appreciate Dr. Senter's lack of age bias in her approach and treatment.
    Dec 20, 2023
    Dr. Senter epitomizes what makes a doctor exceptional. She's patient, thorough, informed, empathetic, and an extraordinary listener.
    Dec 16, 2023
    It was a terrific experience.
    Nov 28, 2023
    OUTSTANDING
    Nov 25, 2023
    Dr. Senter is simply the best sports Doctor at the UCSC Orthopedic Institute at Mission Bay.
    Nov 24, 2023
    Dr. Senter is excellent. It is always a pleasure to see her
    Nov 24, 2023
    Dr Senter handled my health and care with extreme compassion, empathy and knowledge of what and how I was treated. I felt completely comfortable in her care
    Nov 22, 2023
    Such a positive experience with Dr Senter
    Nov 15, 2023
    Dr. Carlin Senter is one of the very best doctors I have ever met. I am grateful to have her as my doctor.
    Nov 09, 2023
    Dr Senter is amazing. She takes the time to listen and understand my issues. With my last ortho I was luck if he spent ten minutes with me
    Nov 03, 2023
    Dr. Carlin Senter listens intently and she values your advice or opinion in discussing your medical condition. She's a great orthodontist and very smart doctor.
    Nov 01, 2023
    Dr Carlin Senter is an excellent and compassionate doctor. She is so thorough and follows up consistently. I can't say enough good things about her
    Oct 30, 2023
    Dr. Carlin Senter is the best doctor I have ever had. She is terrific.!!!!!!!!
    Oct 13, 2023
    Simply the best
    Oct 12, 2023
    Dr Senter is one of the best providers in have worked with
    Sep 30, 2023
    I have already recommended Dr. Senter to many friends
    Sep 30, 2023
    She was working with a medical student. It would have been nice to have been informed of this before the student came in by herself.
    Sep 29, 2023
    Dr. Senter provided concerned care.
    Sep 28, 2023
    I am grateful for the opportunity to work with your doctors and nurses
    Sep 20, 2023
    I love my Dr at UCSF. She is excellent at what she does, a great listener and caring.
    Sep 05, 2023
    Dr Senter, has been a great advocate for my health and knee issues. I've appreciated her honest and knowledgeable insights, and thought put into my results
    Sep 02, 2023
    Knowledgeable
    Aug 30, 2023
    Good. Aervice
    Aug 26, 2023
    Dr. Senter was perfectly nice, but I felt pretty dismissed. There was a doctor who came in previously (after the nurse) and reported what I said to dr Senter, and while I'm not saying she was wrong In the conclusions she came to, I made the appointment with dr Senter for a reason. Dr Senter spent only a couple minutes in the room, and while technically she answered all my questions, I don't think it was enough in depth
    Aug 24, 2023
    Dr Senter is an excellent physician, both in regards to competency in her subject and the care she takes with her patients. I appreciate the fact she listens and works with you, not just telling you what to do.
    Aug 18, 2023
    Dr Senter is really kind and thoughtful with her words and her understanding of both the medical and the physical. I appreciate her immense knowledge and how she can help me understand in practical terms long and short term goals and options.
    Aug 05, 2023
    The nurses, the doctor, the ck in staff could NOT have been any better
    Jul 11, 2023
    Dr. Sinter is always professional, cleas and concise with our interactions.
    Jul 08, 2023
    Fantastic, caring doctor
    Jul 01, 2023
    The primary care giver was adequate. I felt her resident was not really listening to me as I described the issue. He seemed to be in a great rush and made me feel like just a number
    Jul 01, 2023
    Dr. Senter is top notch.
    Jun 30, 2023
    Wonderful doctor!
    Jun 01, 2023
    UCSF is a constellation of skilled and approachable medical providers and staff, and Dr. Senter shines brightly amidst that talented team. I've had the good fortune to have Dr. Senter as my orthopedist in cases involving various joints. On every occasion, I have been greatly impressed by her skills as a diagnostician, and by her warmth and empathy as both a doctor and a person. Injuries and other orthopedic issues aside, I always look forward to seeing her in clinic. I know I'll have not only the best medical advice, but a nice easy visit with a great person.
    May 25, 2023
    I actually saw two providers on this visit. The first provider understood quite early on that I would need a surgeon. She made arrangements for a surgeon that day to actually see me as well. We had to wait until he could squeeze us in, but both providers were wonderful and I ended up scheduled for surgery before I left.
    May 20, 2023
    Sports Medicine doctor excellent (Dr. Senter)
    Apr 28, 2023
    Perfect visit!
    Apr 20, 2023
    A+++ for everything with Dr. Carlin Senter.
    Apr 20, 2023
    Have always felt very comfortable with this staff, especially Dr. Sonter
    Apr 16, 2023
    Love Dr Senter! She always has interest, understanding, good ideas & solutions.
    Apr 03, 2023
    Dr Senter recommended solutions that worked for me.
    Apr 01, 2023
    Dr. Senter is amazing
    Mar 10, 2023
    Dr. Senter provides EXCELLENT CARE, she listens attentively to my medical problem and provides the best care to get me back in shape to continue my excercuse regime.
    Mar 08, 2023
    Dr. Senter has always provided excellent care. She is the one doctor I trust about having further need of more radical treatment or when she thinks a more conservative treatment option is preferable. I trust her opinion for all my orthopedic care
    Mar 03, 2023
    My husband and I think that Dr. Senter is a wonderful person. She listens, cares and now's her stuff. We are so happy we found her!!!
    Feb 03, 2023
    Everything I want in a health care provider.
    Jan 20, 2023
    Doctor Senter is great. Lucky to have her. Sports oriented doctor for a sports oriented guy.
    Jan 20, 2023
    I did not like the care provider asking me to contact my family to find out what medication they are taking, I don't think that should be done because everybody is different, even family members, because some of the medication that was give it to my family did other things to them so that's why they are doctor changed a medication. I don't think no doubt that she would be determined medication on what other family members are taking
    Jan 16, 2023
    I had an excellent experience and I have consistently been to UCSF ortho campus for a variety of injuries both new and existing. I really appreciate the level of understanding, insight, care, empathy and overall skillful and caring understanding and treatment. I'm very fortunate to have this level of care
    Jan 13, 2023
    I experienced Dr. Senter as being fully present, empathetic, thorough, Informed and professional. Plus, she's a terrific listener--a characteristic often missing from exchanges between patients and their medical teams. To me, Dr. Senter embodies medical care at its very best.
    Dec 21, 2022
    I had a very good experience with this doctor! Super friendly, helpful, clear explanations.
    Dec 15, 2022
    Very supportive and reinforcing of my interest and participation in self care and progress made post injury .
    Dec 07, 2022
    All I have to say about the Dr k senter a d staff are good people good human being
    Dec 03, 2022
    Dr. Senter is great. An I generally don't like doctors. So that makes her even better
    Nov 23, 2022
    Dr. Senter is an exceptional provider!!
    Nov 20, 2022
    Dr. Center is a terrific doctor -- knowledgeable, thoughtful and empathetic.
    Nov 09, 2022
    DOCTOR IS EXCELLENT IN ALL AREAS, KNOWLEDGE, CARING, INFORMATION SHARED AND ALL FOLLOW-UP!!!
    Nov 08, 2022
    I so appreciate how dialed in Dr Senter is to my concerns and questions. She thinks deeply about my problem and is thorough with her exam.
    Nov 02, 2022
    Excellent doctor visit. Could not have been better
    Oct 27, 2022
    Dr.Senter is an excellent provider.

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