Matthew Pifer, MD, is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon serving patients in the community of Santa Barbara, California, and beyond. Dr. Pifer brings a wealth of training and experience to his practice and has earned a reputation for excellence in the region. 

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A lifelong learner, Dr. Pifer began his post-secondary education at Ashland University in Ohio. He studied chemistry and molecular and cellular biology under an NCAA football scholarship. Dr. Pifer started four years and is among the highest scorers in the school’s history. 

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Dr. Pifer went on to complete his medical degree at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland. During medical school, he also completed a Masters of Science in Applied Surgical Anatomy. Orthopedic surgical residency at Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine in Royal Oak, Michigan, followed. Dr. Pifer completed fellowship training in Orthopedic Sports Medicine, minimally invasive arthroscopic surgery, and focusing on the Shoulder at Kaiser Permanente in San Diego. 

In an effort to add to his skill set, Dr. Pifer continues to seek out opportunities to learn about the latest advancements in medical technology. A great deal of energy goes into choosing the best available surgical tools and technology to deliver outstanding results. His practice not only includes the use of cutting edge surgical treatments but also the use of biologics, such as platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and stem cell therapies to treat injuries and promote healing.

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Dr. Pifer is passionate about personalized care. He takes the time to get to know the patients in his care and educates them on all available treatment options. This empowers patients to take control of their health journey. 

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Among Dr. Pifer’s professional achievements are numerous awards, including designation as a Rising Star in Super Doctors Magazine. He has also authored multiple scientific papers, book chapters, and articles focused on shoulder and sports injuries or other orthopedic subjects.

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Dr. Pifer’s surgical expertise and innovative ideas have also led to collaborations with medical device companies to develop future surgical instruments and educate other Orthopaedic surgeons.

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When not working with patients in his private practice, Dr. Pifer can be found enjoying time with his family outdoors. His interests include road and mountain biking, craft beer, golf, movies, and fitness. 

In the midst of the complexity of spine surgery, Dr. Wickman puts patients and their families in the foreground. Having dealt with sick family members as well as with her own orthopaedic issues, she knows how important it is for patients to feel validated, to feel that they are heard and for the doctor to be able to see the situation from the patient’s perspective.

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When it comes to the spine, there may be more than one way to handle a problem. Options may depend on goals and life-styles as well as medical issues. Dr. Wickman takes time to make sure her patients are aware of all those aspects so that each individual finds the best solution for the circumstances. When possible, she includes family members in decisions about surgery and hospital care.

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Dr. Wickman became a doctor because she wanted to help people have better health. She developed her love of spine surgery during her 5-year residency at the Loyola Stritch School of Medicine in Chicago. While there she trained at a Level 1 Trauma Center, the Hines VA, and the Shriner’s Hospital for Children. She dealt with everything from traumatic spine and spinal cord injuries to treating children with scoliosis and adults with degenerative conditions such as herniated discs.

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Her combined training in spine surgery and orthopaedic surgery allows her to see issues from a broader perspective, to look at the whole person and identify problems that may not be as obvious as they appear on an MRI. At the same time, she avoids surgery when there are other equally effective solutions. In addition to her busy practice at Alta Orthopaedics, Dr. Wickman is an on-call surgeon for the Emergency Room.

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Dr. Wickman is a self-described “city girl”, born and raised in Chicago. Now she loves the year-round healthy Santa Barbara lifestyle and understands how important it is for her patients to get back to the activities they enjoy. In college she was captain of her rowing team. Today she runs and hikes. As well as spending time in  the outdoors, Dr. Wickman’s great joy in life is her family – her husband and two children.

Growing up in western Canada, Dr. Kenly has always felt a love for the outdoors. He believes that a fulfilling life is achieved through exploring and interacting with the world around us. His goal as an interventional pain management specialist is to improve patient function and quality of life through decreased pain.

His primary area of focus is pain that originates from the spine. He is able to utilize many different techniques to treat his patients’ pain. He is fellowship trained in interventional spine care and fluoroscopically guided procedures such as epidural steroid injections, medial branch neurotomy, spinal cord stimulation / neuromodulation, and other treatments to minimize the need for medications.  He believes that the most important aspect in managing pain is for his patients to understand why they hurt and be actively involved in developing a treatment plan. He takes the necessary time to discuss the problems and the different treatment options. He also performs electrodiagnostic testing such as EMG and nerve conduction studies as needed to assist in making a diagnosis.

Dr. Kenly completed his undergraduate degree in Exercise and Sport Science on O’ahu, Hawaii. Following graduation, he spent a year as a hiking guide in the Swiss Alps (where he met his future wife). He earned his medical degree from Indiana University School of Medicine before heading back out west. His postgraduate training included an internship in Internal Medicine and residency training in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the University of Utah. This was followed by a year of fellowship training in interventional spine care and pain management which he completed in Atlanta, Georgia.

Since moving to Santa Barbara in 2010, Dr. Kenly has developed a love for sailing and is a frequent visitor to the Channel Islands. He also enjoys skiing and mountain biking with his wife and daughter when they aren’t exploring far off places from Galapagos to Cape Town.

Dr. Kenly utilizes his medical and life knowledge to connect with his patients in order to effectively treat their pain and improve their quality of life.

Dr. Birch, Santa Barbara-native and third-generation physician, earned his medical degree from the University of California San Diego where he was a Health Equity Scholar. He went on to complete his Orthopaedic residency at the University of Vermont, serving on the residency selection committee for two years and the graduate medical education quality council for four. Adding a final flourish to his academic credentials, Dr. Birch joins us from one of the most sought after total joint fellowships in the country at Indiana University.

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First inspired to pursue medicine after studying public health and infectious disease in East Africa, Dr. Birch offers not only unique world experience, but particular medical expertise as the first fellowship-educated knee and hip arthroplasty specialist to join the Santa Barbara private medical community in well over a decade.

Michael J. Behrman, M.D. is a cofounder of Associated Hand Surgeons. He has been practicing in Santa Barbara for over 25 years. Dr. Behrman is an honors graduate of Williams College. He received his medical training at Yale University School of Medicine. He then completed his orthopedic training at New York Orthopaedic Hospital/Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center. Dr. Behrman went on to do specialty training in hand and microvascular surgery at the Hand and Rehabilitation Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Dr. Behrman is a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery and a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. He also holds a Certificate of Added Qualification in Surgery of the Hand. He is a member of the American Society for Surgery of the Hand. Dr. Behrman has been very involved in the medical community in Santa Barbara serving as Chairman of the Department of Orthopedics at St. Francis Medical Center and later as Vice Chairman of the Department of Orthopedics at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital. He also served as the Honorary Medical Chairman for the Santa Barbara Arthritis Walk. Dr. Behrman is very involved in the civic community in Santa Barbara and among other posts has served as a board member for the Environmental Defense Center. Dr. Behrman has received numerous awards during his training and has also presented papers at many prestigious orthopedic associations. Dr. Behrman has previously served as a team physician for the U.S. Alpine World Cup Ski Team.

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Dr. Behrman’s interests outside of medicine include golfing, skiing, scuba diving and spending time with his wonderful family.

Michael F. Maguire, MD, is an experienced pediatric orthopedic surgeon who also specializes in orthopedic trauma surgery at Maguire & Early Orthopedics, with offices in Santa Barbara and Pismo Beach, California. Dr. Maguire has extensive training in orthopedic surgery, specifically in pediatric patients, and his special areas of interest include hip dysplasia, scoliosis, clubfoot, limb lengthening, neuromuscular disease, and pediatric trauma.

Dr. Maguire completed his undergraduate degree at Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska, and earned his medical degree at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. He then completed his orthopedic surgery training at the University of California, San Diego, and at Rady Children’s Hospital San Diego. To further his training, Dr. Maguire completed a fellowship in pediatric orthopedics at the University of Utah Primary Children’s Medical Center and at the Shriners Hospital in Salt Lake City.

He is married with three daughters and has been in practice in the Ventura and Santa Barbara counties for over 20 years. .

Patrick J. Denard, MD, is a board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon. A native Oregonian, Dr. Denard has been voted one of the top 20 shoulder surgeons in North America and is the most widely published shoulder specialist in Oregon. He is passionate about helping people get back to doing the things they enjoy and is proud to provide the highest level of care to patients in Medford, Oregon, at Southern Oregon Orthopedics. 

After earning his medical degree from Dartmouth College, Dr. Denard completed his residency at Oregon Health & Science University and was named Chief Resident. He then completed fellowships in advanced shoulder arthroscopy and shoulder replacement in San Antonio, Texas, and Lyon, France, respectively. 

Dr. Denard has advanced arthroscopy training and can perform the vast majority of shoulder procedures in a minimally invasive fashion, including all types of rotator cuff repairs and instability repair. These techniques allow him to repair tears that some consider “irreparable.” He also performs anatomic and reverse shoulder replacements for shoulder arthritis.

In addition to his position at Southern Oregon Orthopedics, Dr. Denard is an instructor at Oregon Health & Science University. He continues to participate in research, presenting this nationally and internationally, and regularly instructs other orthopedists at courses on the shoulder. He is the co-author of a textbook on shoulder surgery: “The Cowboy’s Companion: A Trail Guide for the Arthroscopic Shoulder Surgeon” (available on Amazon), which provides step-by-step instructions for orthopedic surgeons performing shoulder arthroscopy.

Dr. Denard is certified by the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery and maintains membership with the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons, the Arthroscopy Association of North America, and the International Society of Arthroscopy, Knee Surgery, and Orthopaedic Sports Medicine. His goal is to help his patients understand their condition and provide the best care available. Dr. Denard looks forward to working together with patients in assisting them in achieving better mobility and a higher quality of life.

Andy J. Kranenburg, MD, is a board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon. He currently sees patients at Southern Oregon Orthopedics in Medford, Oregon. Dr. Kranenburg specializes in cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine surgery, sacroiliac joint dysfunction, and orthopedic trauma.

After orthopedic rotations at the Mayo Clinic and Campbell Clinic and graduating first in his medical school class at the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine, Dr. Kranenburg completed his internship and residency at Oregon Health and Science University and was fellowship-trained through the world-renowned San Francisco Spine Institute. Dr. Kranenburg is board certified by the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery and is a member of the American Board of Orthopedic Surgeons and the North American Spine Society.

Dr. Kranenburg has deep experience in his field, having performed over 10,000 surgeries and procedures. He conducts ongoing clinical research trials, has multiple published papers, has been a featured speaker at national and international conferences, and co-owns patents on several orthopedic implants. He also serves as Medical Director of the Providence Medford Medical Center Spine Institute.

A native Oregonian, Dr. Kranenburg loves life outside of the operating room. His family’s small farm outside Jacksonville gives him a chance for beekeeping, goat and alpaca ranching, and working in the organic garden. He has also coached youth sports for the Rogue Valley Timbers, Medford YMCA, and St. Mary’s School. He was also the 2013 YMCA Volunteer Coach of the Year.

Cameron J. Phillips, MD, is a fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon specializing in knee, shoulder, and elbow surgery, focusing primarily on sports medicine. Dr. Phillips currently sees patients at Southern Oregon Orthopedics in Medford, Oregon.

Dr. Phillips attended medical school at the University of Washington in Seattle and did his orthopedic residency at Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center in New York. He completed his sports medicine and orthopedic fellowship at the Mississippi Sports Medicine and Orthopaedic Center in Jackson, Mississippi, and Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Dr. Phillips prides himself in a measured, multi-disciplinary approach to shoulder treatment. His treatment plans often incorporate both non-surgical and surgical techniques to optimize one’s shoulder function and full potential. Dr. Phillips uses specialized regenerative medicine injections and highly tailored treatment protocols in physical therapy to optimize each patient’s performance.

With a comprehensive approach to sports medicine, Dr. Phillips listens carefully to his patients’ concerns and uses the latest methods to provide the best care. He is dedicated to working closely with every patient and is honored by his patients’ trust. Dr. Phillips is a member of the American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons and Arthroscopy Association of North America.

Growing up in Missoula, Montana, Dr. Phillips understands the importance of the “work hard, play hard” lifestyle enjoyed by many in the Rogue Valley. He is more than excited to settle with his family in beautiful Southern Oregon. When not at work, Dr. Phillips enjoys playing the violin, running, hiking, cooking, and brewing beer.

Dr. Wesley G. Schooler is the chief plastic surgeon at Santa Barbara Plastic Surgery Center and has provided plastic, cosmetic, reconstructive, and breast surgery in Santa Barbara with the utmost integrity and compassion for many years. Dr. Schooler brings expertise in all aspects of cosmetic surgery, breast reconstructive surgery, breast revision surgery, body contouring, facial rejuvenation, fat transfer, and hand surgery. His special interests include breast augmentation, breast lift, breast implant exchange, abdominoplasty (tummy tuck surgery), Mommy Makeovers, and body contouring after massive weight loss or bariatric surgery.

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Dr. Schooler is a double board-certified Plastic and Hand Surgeon based in Santa Barbara, California. He practices in Santa Barbara, Goleta, Ventura, Oxnard, and Los Angeles. Dr. Schooler joined Santa Barbara Plastic Surgery Center in 2012 after serving five years as the Chief of Plastic Surgery at LAC-USC Medical Center, and as an Assistant Professor of Surgery at the University of Southern California. Prior to moving to California, Dr. Schooler served two years as an Assistant Professor of Plastic Surgery at Oregon Health Sciences University. Dr. Schooler is also a founding provider at the new Los Angeles Center for Women’s Health, a cutting-edge multidisciplinary women’s health center that was featured in Pasadena Magazine.

Laurel Schooler, DNAP, MS-A, CRNA is a board-certified nurse anesthetist and the spouse of Dr. Schooler. Dr. Laurel completed her anesthesiology training at the University of Southern California (USC) Keck School of Medicine and the Midwestern University School of Health Sciences in Glendale, Arizona. She provides anesthesia services, and is always available to answer questions about anesthesia. Laurel offers a warm smile and soothing hand to ensure you have the best operative experience possible. She completed her doctoral research in prevention of post-operative nausea and vomiting in outpatient breast surgery and has a special interest in regional anesthesia. Dr. Laurel serves as a clinical instructor with the Sierra Pacific Regional Anesthesia Consortium (SPARC).

She also has a passion for facial and hand rejuvenation with the IPL Laser, Morpheus, SkinPen, chemical peels, BOTOX® Cosmetic, and fillers. Laurel is one of three trained injectors in our office. She also provides services for laser hair removal using the Diolaze system. Dr. Laurel is bilingual in English and Spanish.

Dr. Delio joined Neurology Associates in 2001. He completed his undergraduate studies at Stanford University. A graduate of the Georgetown School of Medicine, he completed his neurology residency at Stanford, where he received additional specialty training in Stroke and Cerebrovascular Disease. He is currently Medical Director of the Cottage Hospital Stroke Program, and Vice Chair of the Department of Neurology. He participates in various medical research projects at the University of California at Santa Barbara where he holds an adjunct professor position with the Department of Psychology.

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He is Board Certified in Neurology and has broad interests in general neurology as well as stroke. He takes an active role in teaching residents at Cottage Hospital. Dr. Delio is married and has two daughters. In his spare time, he enjoys personal fitness, tennis and mountain biking.

With his extended hands-on training in foot and ankle surgery, Brayton Campbell, DPM, specializes in minor to complex foot and ankle surgery and preventive care. Dr. Campbell treats patients at Foot & Ankle Concepts Inc. in the Santa Barbara and Westlake Village, California, clinic locations.

As a Wisconsin native, Dr. Campbell stayed in his home state to complete his bachelor’s degree at the University of Wisconsin. He then earned his doctorate of podiatric medicine degree from Des Moines University in Iowa.

Shortly thereafter, Dr. Campbell went through a comprehensive surgical residency through the Veterans Affairs Loma Linda Healthcare System. During his residency, Dr. Campbell gained extensive experience in sports medicine, reconstructive surgery, and complex revision surgery.

To further his expertise and experience, Dr. Campbell completed rigorous fellowship training through the University Foot and Ankle Institute in Los Angeles. As one of the few fellowships recognized by the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons, this fellowship program is competitive and selective. Dr. Campbell is now affiliated with the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery.

Outside of the clinic, Dr. Campbell enjoys staying active in the great outdoors, especially in the warm California weather. He spends time hiking, surfing, golfing and playing football.

James Fortman is a licensed clinical psychologist and neuropsychologist. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Cognitive Science from UC Berkeley and a Master's and Doctorate degree in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University Santa Barbara. He completed a pre-doctoral internship in adult neuropsychology at the UC Davis Medical Center in the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Department and a 2-year post-doctoral neuropsychology residency with the Center for Bio-Behavioral Science. Dr. Fortman has conducted educational, psychological, vocational, and neuropsychological evaluations in various settings including elementary schools, the Ventura Brain Injury Center, inpatient and outpatient services at UC Davis Medical Center, the California Department of Rehabilitation and the Center for Bio-Behavioral Science. He provide assessments of cognitive and behavioral changes resulting from aging, neurodegenerative disorders, dementia, brain injury, stroke, developmental and learning disabilities, ADHD, and other neurological challenges. His research interests include utilizing computer-based cognitive training to promote healthy aging and combat age-related cognitive decline and mild cognitive impairment. His experience also includes brief psychotherapy, consultation, and cognitive rehabilitation. Dr. Fortman is an adjunct faculty member at Antioch University.

Elazar Tehrani is a licensed clinical Psychologist (license #PSY28780), who received his Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from UCLA, and his Doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. At UCLA, Elazar engaged in research, while studying the process of learning and reasoning in both children and adults. Elazar also conducted research at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, related to the treatment of sexually abused children and adolescents. Additionally, Elazar has interned at schools, counseling centers, and hospitals, while treating children, adolescents, and adults of all ages. Common challenges that Elazar helps treat include depression, anxiety, addiction, grief, self- esteem, and different forms of severe mental illness. Elazar’s training also includes the assessment and treatment of personality disorders within the individual, group, and family context.

Although many people suffer from depression and anxiety, there are many other situations in life that can be explored in therapy. Often clients experience a sense of feeling lost, or have a difficult time when making important life decisions. If you experience challenges in your life, but don’t necessarily identify with a mental health diagnosis, then consider exploring these issues in a confidential setting.

Finding the right therapist can itself be an anxiety-provoking situation. Elazar suggests it may be necessary to meet with more than one professional before finding the right therapist for you. Your connection with your therapist will be one of the most important factors in your growth and healing. Elazar uses a supportive, client-centered approach incorporating psychodynamic and humanistic qualities.

Born and raised in Southern California, Dr. Polito attended Santa Clara University for his undergraduate degree. Continuing his education, he successfully earned his Medical Doctorate (M.D.) at Creighton University School of Medicine in Omaha, Nebraska. He was inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha medical honor society and honored with the Deans Academic Scholarship. After completing his medical residency in Internal Medicine, Dr. Polito moved back to Southern California and practiced for 4 years in a multi-specialty group, Valley Medical Group. In 2003, he decided to venture out on his own, starting a solo private practice in Santa Barbara. He hung a shingle and opened his front doors with no patients, but after one year he had developed a successful Internal Medicine practice. Dr. Polito continues to enjoy working in primary care where he can treat his patients fully and attend to all of their medical and physical needs. Dr. Polito also attended courses at Stanford University’s School of Sleep Medicine and became the medical director of the Santa Barbara Sleep Clinic. With backgrounds in both internal and sleep medicine, he strives to promote a full and healthy life morning, noon, and night. 

Dr. Polito is happily married to Teresa Polito, and together they are busy raising four energetic children, one boy and three girls. As a family they enjoy music, hiking, traveling, and going to the beach.

At Hayashida Physical Therapy, our mission is to set the standard for clinical excellence and community experience throughout the Santa Barbara area. Founded by Dr. Maury Hayashida in 2002, Hayashida Physical Therapy (HPT) has two locations, Goleta and Downtown Santa Barbara, staffed with clinicians who seek to always provide the highest level of care to our patients.

Our core values are verbs—Serve, Be the Best, and Do What’s Right—which guide all of our operations. This means that each week our entire professional staff participates in mentorship and continued education in order to keep our values at the forefront of our practice.

There’s a reason we’ve consistently been voted the Santa Barbara News-Press Reader’s Choice for Best Physical Therapy Practice.