We are a compassionate, comprehensive, and collaborative team of Acute Pain Specialists committed to enhancing perioperative recovery by employing an individualized patient-centered multimodal analgesic and multidisciplinary approach.
About the Division
The Acute Pain Service (APS) is dedicated to providing surgical patients with an evidence-based and excellent perioperative multimodal analgesia approach throughout their hospital stay with the goal of improving postoperative recovery. We provide 24/7 coverage with highly trained physicians specializing in acute pain management at our main tertiary care hospital (Jacobs Medical Center) and our Burn/Trauma hospital (Hillcrest). Our anesthesiologist-led team provides multimodal analgesia via neuraxial procedures, management of peripheral nerve blocks, opioid and non-opioid management, and implementation of lidocaine and/or ketamine infusions.
Our goal is to minimize perioperative opioid consumption to promote functional recovery, improve outcomes, decrease hospital length of stay, in addition to enhance the overall patient experience.

Meet our Faculty

Our Annual RAAPM Conference
Stay tuned for our upcoming 16th Annual RAAPM conference scheduled for January 2026. We gather our experts in regional anesthesia and acute pain to provide a 2-day conference on RAAPM. The conference consists of engaging high-yield lectures, hands-on ultrasound workshops, and hands-on cadaver workshops where attendees can practice various nerve blocks alongside our experts.
16th Annual Acute Pain and Ultrasound Guided Regional Anesthesia Conference
Presented by the UC San Diego School of Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology and Division of Acute Pain and Regional Anesthesia
About the Conference
Developing Individualized Treatment Plans
We value a team-based approach consisting of communication, early and ongoing assessment, and education to develop an individualized treatment plan. Our division is also at the forefront of innovation with multiple research projects as well as participation in national and international meetings.
See Publications

Surgical Services
Surgical Services and the patients we collaborate with:
- Surgical Oncology
- Colorectal Surgery
- Breast Surgery
- Gynecologic Oncology
- Urology
- Thoracic Surgery
- Trauma
- Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
- Orthopedic Joint Surgery
- Neurosurgical Complex Spine Surgery
- Transplant Surgery (including Liver and Lung)
Fellowship in Perioperative Pain Management
The goal of this program is to provide a fellow with the clinical experience for managing perioperative pain with a multi-disciplinary approach.
More about our Fellowship
Patient Care
UC San Diego Health offers the most advanced pain treatment options available.
UC San Diego Health