Dr. Austin Pitcher originally grew up in Minnesota and completed his Bachelor of Science at St. Cloud State University. His initial draw to California was for graduate school where he completed a Ph.D. in Chemistry at the University of California Berkeley. Following this, he realized that his career goals were to focus more on patient care and he traveled to New York for medical school at Columbia University. He was then brought back to the Bay Area to pursue his residency training in Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of California San Francisco. During this time, he developed a special interest in upper extremity surgery including the hand, wrist, elbow, and shoulder. This led him to seek subspecialty fellowship training in hand surgery at the Cleveland Clinic with renowned surgeons such as Dr. Peter Evans and Dr. Harry Hoyen. Under their guidance, he had the opportunity to become comfortable with a wide variety of complex hand and upper extremity surgeries including microvascular injuries, nerve and tendon repairs and transfers, and complex fracture fixation. His fellowship training included pathology extending from the fingertips up to the shoulder and encompassed both surgical and non-surgical treatment options for these problems. His special interests include management of all hand, wrist, and elbow conditions, including nerve and tendon injuries in both the general and athletic populations. He also treats all common conditions of the upper extremity including carpal tunnel syndrome, trigger finger, thumb arthritis, fractures, and shoulder rotator cuff tears. As a physician, his goal is to explain the nature of a patient's condition as well as both surgical and non-surgical treatment options. He utilizes a shared decision making approach, allowing him to tailor treatment to his patients as individuals so as to achieve their personal goals and maximize their quality of life. Dr. Pitcher lives in Oakland with his wife, Valerie, and their two golden retrievers. His outside interests include hiking, snowboarding, woodworking, and all of the amazing outdoor activities that California has to offer.