Our Team

Keith B. Boone, MD, FACS

Dr. Boone earned his bachelor’s degree from UC Santa Barbara and his medical degree from the University of Southern California. He received his general surgical training at the UC San Francisco Surgical Residency Program in Fresno, California.  He then completed a Naval obligation, which included teaching surgical residents for UC Davis at Oakland Naval Medical Center.  He is an Assistant Clinical Professor for UC Davis and UCSF.  He is board-certified and is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and a member of the American Society for Bariatric Surgery.

Kelvin Higa, MD, FACS

Dr. Higa graduated from UC Riverside and received his M.D. degree from UCLA School of Medicine.  He completed his surgical training locally and has also served as Chief of Vascular Surgery at the VA Medical Center.  Dr. Higa has been in practice since 1990 and also serves as Associate Clinical Professor of Surgery, UCSF, and as Assistant Professor of Surgery for the College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific.  Dr. Higa is also a fellow of the American College of Surgeons and the American Society for Bariatric Surgery.

His special interests include Bariatric surgery, Vascular surgery and advanced Videoscopic surgery.
 

Alice Jackson, RN, CNOR, MSN, NP-C

Alice Jackson received her Registered Nurse degree at Fresno City College. She then completed her Bachelors Degree in Health Science at Chapman University. While working as a Perioperative Nurse, Alice completed her Masters in Nursing at California State University, Fresno. Alice has National Certification as a Family Nurse Practitioner and Certified Nurse Operating Room. She is also a Registered Nurse First Assistant. Alice brings over 20 years of nursing experience to ALSA.

Brynne Valderrama – Office Manager

Brynne has been with ALSA as the Office Manager since the Thesta office opened in January 2006.  Brynne is married with three children ages 7 – 15.  She enjoys reading, traveling, and watching football and auto racing.  “Working at ALSA is a very rewarding job.  I love getting to know the patients and watching as they progress through the program.  I love seeing how it changes their lives.  We have a great team of doctors and staff and
we work together as a team to provide the best care for each and every patient.”

Christine Bazan – Scheduler

Christine has been with ALSA at the Thesta location since January 2006, and also with the group in its previous location.  Christine is married and enjoys motorcycle riding, camping, spending time with family & friends, and playing with “Bella,” the family dog.  “The reason why I love working for ALSA is the doctors.  They are great at what they do, and they help their patients live a longer and healthier life.  The office staff is great!”

Pleshette Fitzgerald – Medical Assistant

Pleshette has been working with the ALSA doctors since 1999.  She has two children, ages 8 and 15.  Pleshette enjoys spending time with her family and watching her daughter perform at competitive dance events throughout California.  “I have worked with Dr. Boone and Dr. Higa for the last seven years.  They are a great team of doctors to work for.  I like that I can feel confident to tell patients they are getting the BEST treatment by the BEST doctors.  We have a great staff to compliment the team.”

Rebecca Galvan – Front Desk/Reception

Rebecca has been with ALSA since February 2006.  She is married with 3 children ages 3 – 8.  In her free time, Rebecca likes going to the movies and “stampin up” (card making).  “I enjoy working for ALSA because the whole office staff, including the doctors, are a pleasure to work with.  Even on our busiest days the atmosphere is always pleasant and friendly.”

Brenda Roach – Patient Intake Coordinator

Brenda has been with ALSA since before the move to the Thesta Street office.  She has two sons and loves to travel, watch movies and spend time with her boys. “I've been working in Bariatrics for over 5 years.  I enjoy working with patients during their process.  We have a great staff here at ALSA and we work as a team.  On my time off I spend time with my two boys Tyler and Dylan.  We enjoy music.  We spend a lot of our time with their cousin's Band.”

Carey Wholaver – Back Office Assistant

Carey has been with ALSA since early in 2006.  While away from the office Carey enjoys snowboarding, crafts and playing cards.  She is very interested in pursuing a nursing career, working during the day and going to school at night. “I enjoy working at ALSA because it is amazing to see the impact of how what we do changes patients’ lives.”

Chere Paez – Patient Intake Coordinator

"I am married to a wonderful man and have two beautiful girls, ages 8 and 11.  I enjoy being with the family.  Love to go camping and movies.  I am a newcomer to ALSA and love being a part of this wonderful staff.  I enjoy being a part of the process of helping other's being healthy."

Angelina Orduna – Medical Assistant

"I've been with ALSA since April 2007.  I enjoy working with ALSA's doctors, because they are the best doctors
for bariatric surgery.  I have two children, ages 5 and 11.  I love spending time with my children.  They play sports and I love to cheer them on at their games.  ALSA's staff is great.  It's one big family."

Jennifer Logan – RN

Jennifer received her registered nurse degree at Fresno City College.  She has been with ALSA since August 2007.  However, she was Dr. Higa's medical assistant for six years prior to becoming a RN.  Jennifer is married and has two children.  She enjoys spending time with family and friends, and watching her boys play sports.  "I like working for ALSA because its such a neat experience being a part of our patients life changing transformations.  I have great respect for Dr. Higa and Dr. Boone and their abilities as surgeons."

Mooney Keonoupheth – Front Office

"I enjoy working for ALSA because I feel that it is amazing the way we work together as a team in giving our patients the best care possible."