The bariatric program in Visalia is an extension of our award-winning program at Fresno Heart & Surgical Hospital. Our team of world-class physicians and staff won’t rush you in and out of our doors – our program is about YOU and will make sure you’re as comfortable as possible, every step of your journey. 


World-Class Bariatric Surgeons, Nurses and Staff

Take a moment to learn about each of our physicians and how, together, they’ve created the award-winning program we have today.

A Central Valley native, Dr. Boone earned his bachelor’s degree from UC Santa Barbara before attending the University of Southern California School Of Medicine. After completing his residency in general surgery, Dr. Boone fulfilled a commitment to the United States Navy, including aircraft carrier and battle group surgeon in the Persian Gulf. He was also the Assistant Clinical Professor in surgery at the University of California, Davis.
Dr. Kelvin Higa graduated from the prestigious Biomedical Sciences Program, a collaboration between the University of California schools in Riverside and Los Angeles, in 1983. He completed his general surgical training in Fresno in 1988. He has served as Chief of Vascular Surgery at the VA Medical Center, Chief of Surgery for Community Medical Centers and Saint Agnes Medical Center, and is currently the CEO of ALSA Medical Group and Director of Minimally Invasive and Bariatric Surgery at Fresno Heart and Surgical Hospital.
Dr. Pearl Ma is a born-and-raised Iowa native who moved out to California, where she completed her Bachelor of Science and Doctor of Medicine from University of California, Davis. Through her undergraduate studies at UC Davis, she found her passion in helping underserved and marginalized patients. She was accepted into the general surgery residency training program at University of California, San Francisco-Fresno, and was subsequently selected to complete fellowship training in advanced GI (minimally invasive) and bariatric surgery.
Dr. Amarita (Amy) S. Klar is a doctor primarily located in Fresno, CA. She received her medical degree from Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine in 2011 and has been in practice for 7 years. She completed a residency at Abington Memorial Hospital.
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