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Meet Owen L. Ala, MD

Dr. Ala is fellowship trained in hand, upper extremity and microvascular surgery. He focuses on treating patients with hand, wrist and elbow conditions including fractures, carpal tunnel syndrome, arthritis, joint replacement and more. He also has extensive training in wrist, elbow, and shoulder arthroscopy.

Dr. Ala earned his medical degree from Cornell University Medical College in New York City in 2008. He completed his orthopedic surgery residency at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, where he also served as chief resident. After residency, Dr. Ala received subspecialty fellowship training in Hand, Upper Extremity and Microvascular Surgery at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. During his fellowship Dr. Ala received extensive training in hand and digit replantation and participated in one of the few hand transplant programs in the world. Dr. Ala also holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Brigham Young University. Among his numerous papers and presentations, Dr. Ala co-authored “Stick Dominance Versus Hand Dominance in Youth Hockey,” recently presented in San Francisco. He has also written a number of book chapters on wrist surgery and lectured on a number of topics, including pediatric elbow fracture treatment, sports injuries of the hand and wrist, and radial head fracture operative and non-operative management.

Dr. Ala is excited to return to his home state with his wife and three children and establish his practice here in Anchorage. He was born and raised in Soldotna where his grandparents homesteaded in the 1940s. He grew up working on the family farm, commercial fishing, and playing hockey.

Education & Training

Fellowship: Hand, Upper Extremity and Microvascular Surgery University of Pennsylvania
Residency: Orthopedic Surgery University of New Mexico
Medical School: Medical Degree Cornell University Medical College

Board Certifications & Affiliations

  • Providence Alaska Medical Center
  • Alaska Regional Hospital
  • Alaska Surgery Center
  • Alpine Surgery Center
  • Providence Seward
  • Creekside Surgery Center

Procedures Performed

  • Carpal Tunnel Release
  • Distal Radius Fracture
  • Elbow Fracture Repair
  • Elbow Replacement
  • Total Shoulder Replacement
  • Trigger Finger/Thumb Release

Testimonials

  • Excellent customer service. Dr. Ala is top notch and treats his patients with care and respect. Very personable. Left paperwork to be completed at the end of the day and received a call the following morning that it was done.

    Kim
  • Dr. Ala has the perfect balance of skill, prrsonability, expertise, and confidence to deal with my condition and put my anxieties to rest. Great facility and staff, too!

    Mim
  • I wish I could give this place 10 Stars
    I have had 5 total joint replacements spanning from 2008 when I had both knees replaced on the same day at the age 25 by Dr.Timothy Kavanaugh to 2016 when I had both hips replaced, because my son had been getting close to walking and I wanted to be able to keep up with him. Dr Kavanaugh also did those, one in june and the other in October. Most recently I have had my right shoulder total reversal replacement. Done by DrAla Every single interaction with both the anchorage and Soldotna locations have been pleasant/ informative/without pressure and every one of these surgeries were 100% successful with zero complications . Each instrumental in giving me a chance at a full life. I have an appointment today to schedule my let shoulder reversal and with luck that will be the end of my surgery needs.
    For the rest of my life I will be grateful for these surgeon's and there support staff.

    Thank you OPA for giving me my life back!

    Raulduke0420
  • They were nice and prompt

    Eleanor
  • Dr. Ala did my 5 mo. check-up after my Reverse Shoulder Replacement, by Dr. McNamara.
    Dr. Ala was friendly, and thorough.

    Andrea
  • Highly recommend Dr. Ala at OPA. He was very efficient and thorough. I left the office feeling confident with my plan of care and I appreciated the education he provided.

    Annette
  • Always the best care.

    margaret

Care Team

Christina (Tina) Bird, PA-C

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