Dr. Clifford completed his residency training at the Franciscan Foot and Ankle Institute in Washington, where he later served as Director of Residency Training. During his teaching tenure, he received multiple honors including Clinician of the Year, Instructor of the Year, and Outstanding Teaching Award. In 2020, he was named Physician of the Year by the Washington State Podiatric Medical Association.

Though highly trained in advanced surgical techniques, Dr. Clifford came to recognize that most foot and ankle surgery can be avoided with appropriate conservative care. In 2022, he left his successful high-volume surgical practice to focus on expanding patient access to cutting-edge nonsurgical treatment—though he continues to perform surgery when necessary, utilizing the latest advancements in minimally invasive techniques. Dr. Clifford understands that there is no "one size fits all" solution in medicine, and every patient deserves an individualized, evidence-based approach, not a generic treatment plan.