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Alan J. Hifko

Alan J. Hifko

HS Assistant Clinical Professor of Anesthesiology

Biography

Alan J. Hifko, M.D., is HS Assistant Clinical Professor of Anesthesiology at the University of California Irvine. He completed his anesthesiology residency at Washington University/Barnes Jewish Hospital after initially training in general surgery at Saint Louis University. Hifko received his Doctor of Medicine from Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine in 2018.

Prior to his medical career, Hifko served in the United States Air Force from 2006 to 2009, where he held multiple roles including Nuclear Debris Analyst and Special Equipment Technician, Biological Lab Technician, and member of the Honor Guard, achieving the rank of Senior Airman. His research interests include pediatric pain management and palliative care applications of virtual reality.

Hifko's work on comparing hydromorphone versus fentanyl for post-tonsillectomy pain in children was recognized with awards for best poster and outstanding researcher at the Society for Pediatric Pain Medicine in 2023. He has contributed to research published in the Journal of Palliative Medicine and has presented at multiple national conferences on topics ranging from pediatric anesthesia to surgical case studies.

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Education

  • MD in Medicine, Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine, 2018
  • MS in Biomedical Sciences, Georgetown and George Mason University, 2014
  • BS in Biochemistry, Western Michigan University, 2012
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Distinctions

  • Best Poster and Outstanding Researcher, Society for Pediatric Pain Medicine, 2023
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Areas of Expertise

  • Anesthesiology and Pain Management
  • Pediatric Postoperative Opioid Analgesia
  • Virtual Reality Palliative Symptom Control
  • Surgical Complications and Pathology
  • Obstetric Coagulation Abnormalities
  • Trauma and Metabolic Emergencies
  • Intra-articular Regenerative Therapies

Recent Publications

  • Johnson, T., Bauler, L., Vos, D., Hifko, A., Garg, P., Ahmed, M., Raphelson, M., “Virtual reality use for symptom management in palliative care: a pilot study to assess user perceptions”, Journal of palliative medicine, vol. 23, no. 9, pp. 1233-1238, 2020.
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Contact Information

Email: ahifko@uci.edu

Phone: (949) 743-6950

Address: 101 The City Drive South, B53-226G, Orange CA 92868, Irvine, CA 92697

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This profile was created with the help of AI.

Last updated on 2/17/2026.