Dr. Matthew Pifer, MD 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. 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. Dr. Pifer went on to complete his medical degree at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland.