Pearl Ma, M.D., FACS, FASMBS, ABOM, DABS-FPMS

Dr. Pearl Ma, a born-and-raised Iowa native, 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 residency training at the University of California, San Francisco-Fresno general surgery program, and was selected to complete fellowship training in the Advanced GI (minimally invasive) and Bariatric Surgery Program.

Dr. Ma has a passion for teaching as well has an interest in research, with publications in revisional bariatric surgery and multiple book chapters. In addition, she has completed a textbook chapter on social violence.

Dr. Ma is a fellow of American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) and the American College of Surgeons (ACS). She has earned the Focus Practice designation in metabolic and bariatric surgery from the American Board of Medical Specialties and is certified in obesity medicine. Dr. Ma’s goal is to serve the people of the Central Valley and to continue educating local physicians and surgeons about cutting-edge surgical techniques and compassionate patient care.

Dr. Ma teaches UCSF residents as Assistant Clinical Professor of Surgery and Fellows for the ALSA Medical Group Minimally Invasive Surgery Bariatric Fellowship. She serves as co-chair for the Diversity and Inclusion Committee for ASMBS, sub-committee chair of the ASMBS Surgical Mentoring Program, and sits on the ASMBS Program Committee, Bariatric Surgical Training Committee, State and Local Chapters Committee, and the SAGES Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Committee. She does peer reviews of major bariatric research journals and is the current president of the California/Nevada ASMBS Chapter.

A leader in teaching and patient care who often speaks at national society meetings and seminars, Dr. Ma is passionate about treating obesity as a chronic disease and abolishing stigmas surrounding it. She has been honored with multiple UCSF Fresno Resident Excellence in Teaching Awards, the Leon S. Peters Foundation Resident of the Year Award, the ASMBS Distinguished Service Award, and the Treatment of Obesity and Research (TREO) Foundation 2023 Rising Star Award for demonstrating an outstanding job in patient care, research project success and community advocacy.

She loves all things Disney and spending her free time with her husband and two mischievous young children.   

If you’re considering bariatric surgery or have any additional questions, please call us at (559) 433-6010 or fill out the Request More Information form on our Contact Us page.