Biography
Dr. Alice Huai-Yu Li is an anesthesiologist and pain management specialist at Stanford Health Care. She is also a clinical assistant professor in the Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Division of Pain Management at Stanford University School of Medicine.
Dr. Li specializes in headache and facial pain conditions, offering advanced, personalized care for patients with complex and often debilitating pain syndromes. Her clinical expertise spans a wide range of disorders, including migraine, trigeminal neuralgia, cluster headache, temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMD), and other forms of craniofacial pain.
She collaborates closely with her colleagues in neurosurgery, otorhinolaryngology (ENT), neurology, dentistry, and oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMFS) to ensure comprehensive and coordinated care. With this interdisciplinary approach, she works with each patient to help them feel better and improve their daily life. This includes creating a tailored treatment plan with healthy lifestyle modifications, prescription medications, and targeted procedures.
Dr. Li’s research focuses on finding better ways to treat migraines and facial pain and improving care before and after surgery for people who live with chronic pain. She uses imaging tools, such as ultrasound, to predict how well certain treatments will work. Her research also includes developing small devices that can be placed in the body to relieve pain without major surgery. In addition, she studies how artificial intelligence can help diagnose different types of headaches and facial pain.
Dr. Li has authored more than a dozen peer-reviewed publications and has presented her work at national and international conferences for organizations including the American Academy of Pain Medicine, the American Society of Anesthesiologists, and the North American Neuromodulation Society.
Dr. Li specializes in headache and facial pain conditions, offering advanced, personalized care for patients with complex and often debilitating pain syndromes. Her clinical expertise spans a wide range of disorders, including migraine, trigeminal neuralgia, cluster headache, temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMD), and other forms of craniofacial pain.
She collaborates closely with her colleagues in neurosurgery, otorhinolaryngology (ENT), neurology, dentistry, and oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMFS) to ensure comprehensive and coordinated care. With this interdisciplinary approach, she works with each patient to help them feel better and improve their daily life. This includes creating a tailored treatment plan with healthy lifestyle modifications, prescription medications, and targeted procedures.
Dr. Li’s research focuses on finding better ways to treat migraines and facial pain and improving care before and after surgery for people who live with chronic pain. She uses imaging tools, such as ultrasound, to predict how well certain treatments will work. Her research also includes developing small devices that can be placed in the body to relieve pain without major surgery. In addition, she studies how artificial intelligence can help diagnose different types of headaches and facial pain.
Dr. Li has authored more than a dozen peer-reviewed publications and has presented her work at national and international conferences for organizations including the American Academy of Pain Medicine, the American Society of Anesthesiologists, and the North American Neuromodulation Society.
View Full Biography
Professional Summary
Education & Certifications
- Board Certification: American Board of Anesthesiology, Pain Management (2025)
- Board Certification: American Board of Anesthesiology, Anesthesia (2025)
- Fellowship: Stanford University Pain Management Fellowship (2025) CA
-
- Residency: Stanford University Anesthesiology Residency (2024) CA
- Internship: Stanford University Internal Medicine Residency (2021) CA
- Medical Education: Stanford University School of Medicine (2020) CA
- Residency, Stanford University School of Medicine, Anesthesia (2024)
- Internship, Stanford University School of Medicine, Medicine (2021)
- MD, Stanford University School of Medicine, Clinical Research (2020)
- BA, Harvard College, Human Developmental and Regenerative Biology, Secondary in Global Health and Health Policy (2014)
Memberships
- Member, North American Neuromodulation Society (2021 - Present)
- Member, American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine (2021 - Present)
- Member, American Society of Anesthesiologists (2021 - Present)
-
- Member, American Academy of Pain Medicine (2021 - Present)
Publications
-
Feasibility and Safety of Intrathoracic Biopsy and Repeat Biopsy for Evaluation of Programmed Cell Death Ligand-1 Expression for Immunotherapy in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Tsai, E. B., Pomykala, K., Ruchalski, K., Genshaft, S., Abtin, F., Gutierrez, A., … Suh, R. (2018). Feasibility and Safety of Intrathoracic Biopsy and Repeat Biopsy for Evaluation of Programmed Cell Death Ligand-1 Expression for Immunotherapy in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer. RADIOLOGY, 287(1), 326–32. -
Evidence for Continuing Buprenorphine in the Perioperative Period.
Li, A. H., Schmiesing, C., & Aggarwal, A. K. (2020). Evidence for Continuing Buprenorphine in the Perioperative Period. The Clinical Journal of Pain. -
Considerations in Permanent Implantation of Peripheral Nerve Stimulation (PNS) for Chronic Neuropathic Pain: An International Cross Sectional Survey of Implanters.
Li, A. H., Gulati, A., Leong, M. S., Aggarwal, A. K., Salmasi, V., Spinner, D., & Ottestad, E. (2022). Considerations in Permanent Implantation of Peripheral Nerve Stimulation (PNS) for Chronic Neuropathic Pain: An International Cross Sectional Survey of Implanters. Pain Practice : the Official Journal of World Institute of Pain. -
-
Application of the novel Nalu Neurostimulation System for peripheral nerve stimulation.
Kalia, H., Pritzlaff, S., Li, A. H., Ottestad, E., Gulati, A., Makous, J., & Chakravarthy, K. (2022). Application of the novel Nalu Neurostimulation System for peripheral nerve stimulation. Pain Management. -
Role of peripheral nerve stimulation in treating chronic neuropathic pain: an international focused survey of pain medicine experts.
Li, A. H.-Y., Bhatia, A., Gulati, A., & Ottestad, E. (2023). Role of peripheral nerve stimulation in treating chronic neuropathic pain: an international focused survey of pain medicine experts. Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine, 48(6), 312–318. -
Naturalistic acute pain states decoded from neural and facial dynamics.
Huang, Y., Gopal, J., Kakusa, B., Li, A. H., Huang, W., Wang, J. B., … Keller, C. (2024). Naturalistic acute pain states decoded from neural and facial dynamics. BioRxiv : the Preprint Server for Biology. -
Rates and Predictors of Pain Reduction With Intracranial Stimulation for Intractable Pain Disorders.
Huang, Y., Sadeghzadeh, S., Li, A. H.-Y., Schonfeld, E., Ramayya, A. G., & Buch, V. P. (2024). Rates and Predictors of Pain Reduction With Intracranial Stimulation for Intractable Pain Disorders. Neurosurgery. -
Naturalistic acute pain states decoded from neural and facial dynamics.
Huang, Y., Gopal, J., Kakusa, B., Li, A. H., Huang, W., Wang, J. B., … Keller, C. J. (2025). Naturalistic acute pain states decoded from neural and facial dynamics. Nature Communications, 16(1), 4371.
-
Application of the novel Nalu Neurostimulation System for peripheral nerve stimulation.
Practice Locations
Pain Management Center in Redwood City Redwood City, CA
Redwood City, CA
Pain Management Center in Redwood City
450 Broadway, Pavilion A Fl 1
Redwood City , CA 94063
Make An Appointment More Clinic Information Getting HereFacial Pain Program in Redwood City Redwood City, CA
Redwood City, CA
Facial Pain Program in Redwood City
450 Broadway, Pavilion A Fl 1
Redwood City , CA 94063
Make An Appointment More Clinic Information Getting HereImportant Information about Our Organizations and Physician Affiliation
Stanford Health Care, Stanford Health Care Tri-Valley, and Stanford Medicine Partners are each independent nonprofit organizations that are affiliated with but separate from each other and from Stanford University. The physicians who provide care at facilities operated by Stanford Health Care, Stanford Health Care Tri-Valley, and Stanford Medicine Partners are faculty, foundation, or community physicians who are not employees, representatives, or agents of Stanford Health Care, Stanford Health Care Tri- Valley, or Stanford Medicine Partners. Stanford Health Care, Stanford Health Care Tri-Valley, and Stanford Medicine Partners do not exercise control over the care provided by such faculty, foundation, and community physicians and are not responsible for their actions.
Patient Reviews
(15 reviews)
She is knowledgeable and was very accommodating.
She is an excellent doctor. I’m very glad to have been referred to her. Very grateful for her kindness and her explanations.
She’s the best!
Very pleasant, thorough, efficient.
Dr Alice Li is easy to talk to and understands what I am going through. She shows compassion and gives good advice.
Incredible. Thorough. Extra effort. Simply the best ...
Listen carefully. No feeling of rush to get to next patient.
The Doctor is very caring thank you Lord for sending her
I had an excellent experience with Dr. Alice Huai-Yu Li at Stanford Pain Management. She was caring, attentive, and truly listened to my concerns, making me feel heard and valued as a patient. She took the time to understand my symptoms and provided thoughtful, effective solutions that addressed my needs. Scheduling an appointment was also fast and easy, which made the whole process seamless. Beyond Dr. Li’s exceptional care, the staff were kind, professional, and very helpful, ensuring a smooth and stress-free experience. From check-in to follow-up, everything was handled efficiently, creating what I would describe as an ideal doctor’s visit—one where I felt genuinely cared for, respected, and confident in the treatment plan. If you’re looking for a doctor who prioritizes patient care and takes the time to listen, I highly recommend her.
It was a very comfortable visit, She is knowledgeable and compassionate..
She went "that extra mile" in both understanding my pain issues and seeking the best possible options for resolving it. I was both impressed and grateful for her efforts and the outcome and procedures she has set up for me.
Alice was prepared, professional and sensitive. She had read my file and got to the point immediately. She allowed both my husband and I to ask questions at the end after answering many of our concerns prior. I feel much less anxious about the upcoming procedure and because this is my first time having surgery at Stanford, am relieved and feel I am in good hands. I realize having an opportunity to meet with a fellow, or resident, takes additional time and isn't often done. Yet in my case, and because 3 prior medical events (at another institution) went badly, feel I will have a much better outcome.
My husband and I greatly appreciate Dr. Alice's time and dedication to this appointment and to me as a patient. We also want to thank Dr. Tawfik for taking the time to speak to Alice about me and the Pain Department in general for this courtesy.
Dr. Alice Li is a knowledgeably, helpful, and very patient person.
Alice Li was professional and caring. I appreciated Alice's follow-up, willingness to answer questions, and updating my current medication list. Thank you.
I’d prefer seeing a different doctor next time.
View More Patient Reviews