Alan Swenson, MD, FAAOS is a fellowship-trained hand and microvascular surgeon. He pursued sub-specialization in hand and microvascular surgery for its complexity and the depth and breadth of the field. He says the best part of his job, though, “is getting people back to the lives and activities they love.”

Growing up in Anchorage, Dr. Swenson was a stand out at both Stellar Secondary School and the Alaska Pacific University Early Honors program. He earned his Eagle Scout and went on to study biology at Brigham Young University–Hawaii, graduating Magna Cum Laude, and later earned his doctorate of medicine, with AOA Honors, from the University of Washington.

After remaining at UW to complete an orthopedic surgery residency, he was selected to complete a surgical fellowship in hand and microvascular surgery at the University of Cincinnati. There he spent an entire year focusing solely on disorders of the hand and upper extremity under the renowned hand surgeon, Peter Stern. Since finishing his formal training, Dr. Swenson has continued his academic pursuits. He continues to be involved in cutting edge research at both the University of Cincinnati and the University of Washington, in an effort to further improve treatments for his patients. Presently, he is one of the only surgeons in the state of Alaska to have been awarded dual designations as a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons and the American Society for Surgery of the Hand.

More recently, Dr. Swenson was invited to be one of the first surgeons trained in the United States on an innovative treatment for thumb arthritis. He is the only surgeon in Alaska certified and trained to perform this advanced procedure. This procedure is a novel total joint replacement for the thumb using the Touch® CMC prosthesis. This surgery is a game changing treatment that offers shorter recovery times with the possibility of improved functional outcomes compared to traditional procedures. Dr. Swenson is delighted to be able to bring this cutting edge treatment home to Alaska.

Today Dr. Swenson is a vital member of the OPA hand specialty team with many publications, presentations and honors to his name. He says, “I am incredibly excited to be able to bring my education and training back to Alaska, and to provide care to my fellow Alaskans from all across the state.” Having trained at the distinguished Harborview Medical Center, Dr. Swenson has a passion for complex trauma and fractures of the upper extremity. He also loves treating arthritis, numb hands, performing joint replacements, and any other procedures for the hand and upper extremity.

When not in the clinic helping others, he is probably out with his wife and child, hiking, fishing, camping, surfing, reading, or spending time with family and friends.