CHIEF OF ORTHOPEDIC SURGERY
ALVARADO HOSPITAL
BOARD-CERTIFIED ORTHOPEDIC SURGEON
SPECIALIZING IN SPORTS MEDICINE, KNEE AND SHOULDER SURGERY

Dr. Hacker specializes in sports medicine, both on and off the field. Dr. Hacker completed extensive training in bioengineering at both the undergraduate and graduate level, and was given a Regent's Fellowship as well as a National Science Foundation Honorable Mention for his work. He completed a Master's Thesis in Engineering on the properties of meniscal tissue in addition to multiple projects including pioneering research in ACL healing and repair. He then served as director of the Coutts Institute in San Diego, a leading center for Orthopaedic research. Dr. Hacker completed an orthopedic research fellowship studying the ability to grow and transplant cartilage.
After attending medical school at UC Irvine, and was offered a residency position at the University of Washington. Dr. Hacker has completed additional training in Vail, Colorado at the Steadman-Hawkins Clinic under Dr. Steadman and Dr. Hawkins, both world authorities in knee and shoulder surgery. While in Vail, he specialized in sports related injuries and conditions. His cumulative training has provided expertise in knee, shoulder and elbow surgery, traumatic injuries, joint and cartilage injuries, and the degenerative changes associated with osteoarthritis. He is an avid outdoorsman and athlete.

Dr. Hacker travels worldwide with the United States Ski Association and Olympic Ski Team and provides professional team support and care for the San Diego Surf Dawgs baseball team.

Dr. Hacker sees patients at offices at Alvarado and in La Mesa on the Grossmont Hospital Campus at Helix Orthopedics and Sports Medicine. He is involved in teaching of family practice sports medicine physicians several days a week, expanding their experience of sports medicine from the surgeon's point of view.

COLLEGE
University of California, San Diego
Bachelors Degree in Bioengineering, Magna Cum Laude

POST GRADUATE EDUCATION
University of California, San Diego, Jacobs School of Engineering
Master's Degree in Bioengineering and Orthopaedic Biomechanics
Thesis on Biomechanical Properties of Meniscal Tissue

MEDICAL DEGREE
University of California, Irvine, School of Medicine. Irvine, California

ORTHOPEDIC SURGERY RESIDENCY
University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
Harborview Medical Center
Children's Hospital
Veteran's Administration Medical Center
Virginia Mason Medical Center

POST-GRADUATE MEDICAL TRAINING
University of California, San Diego Orthopaedic Research Fellowship
Sports Medicine Fellowship at the Steadman Hawkins Clinic, Vail, Colorado under Drs. Richard Steadman and Dr. Richard Hawkins

Publications
7 scientific papers in peer reviewed orthopaedic journals
1 Book Chapter
15 scientific abstracts presented at national meetings

Team Coverage
Denver Broncos Football Team
Colorado Rockies Baseball Team
Eagle Valley High School Athletics
US Olympic Ski Team Physician
Grossmont High School Football Team and Athletics
Valhalla High School Football Team and Athletic Department
San Diego Surf Dawgs Professional Baseball Team Physician


PROFESSIONAL APPOINTMENTS
Chief of Orthopedic Surgery, Alvarado Hospital
Alvarado Hospital
Sharp Coronado Hospital
Sharp Grossmont Hospital

TEACHING
Clinical Instructor Sports Medicine Family Practice Fellowship Program

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons
American College of Sports Medicine
American Society of Biomechanics
American Society of Mechanical Engineering
California Medical Association
California Orthopedic Association
San Diego County Medical Society
Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honor Society-California Psi Founding President

Media Appearances
Dr. Hacker has appeared in the San Diego media on several occasions.
Click here to view Dr. Hacker's Interviews

Dr. Hacker may be reached by email at: sportsmedicine@cox.net