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Department Hours
| Closed | 8:30 am
6:00 pm | 8:30 am
6:00 pm | 8:30 am
6:00 pm | 8:30 am
6:00 pm | 8:30 am
6:00 pm | Closed |
Welcome to My Home Page!
Why I Chose to Practice at Kaiser Permanente
I joined Kaiser Permanente more than 12 years ago, right after I finished my residency at the University of California, San Francisco, and have never looked back. In fact, every year, I become even more convinced that coming to work here was the right decision for me. First of all, I believe that our philosophy of providing integrated medical care with doctors and patients in charge of making decisions, and with an emphasis on patient wellness, is the best way of delivering health care in this country. It is no surprise, then, that Kaiser Permanente consistently receives top ratings from independent health care analysts. Also, we have some of the most well-trained and dedicated physicians that I ever have had the pleasure of working with. Lastly, not only am I a doctor with Kaiser Permanente, but I am also a patient sometimes too, and I have been extremely pleased with the care that I and my family have received from a multitude of departments and providers.
About You!
Another major reason for my satisfaction with working at Kaiser Permanente are the patients themselves. I have been extremely impressed with our patient population in the Diablo Service Area. Our patients are hard-working, dedicated to their families, committed to improving their health, ask intelligent questions, and it is overall a joy and a privilege to be able to participate in their care.
Why I Chose Dermatology as a Specialty?
My patients often ask me why I chose to become a dermatologist. There are actually many reasons that went into my decision. I enjoy dermatology because it enables me to see patients of all ages—from infants to 90 year olds—and this gives me the privilege of taking care of whole families. I like the challenge of making a diagnosis, but I also particularly enjoy the surgical aspects of the specialty as well. So, a dermatologist gets to think a lot, and do a lot. Dermatology is also a visual specialty—it is very gratifying for both me and my patients to actually see the treatment working.
On a Personal Note
I often tell my patients that I have two jobs—being a physician at Kaiser Permanente, and being a father of two young daughters. However, working at Kaiser Permanente is the easier of the two, because at least here, I feel as if I know what I am doing! My kids often come to visit me for lunch, so don't be shy about introducing yourself to them—they get a big kick out of meeting my patients, and they already have several adopted "grandparents." So, most of my free time is spent with them—reading, hiking, playing basketball, swimming, going to dance recitals, etc. I also have interests in gardening, physical fitness, and traveling.
Following are some general suggestions for routine skin care that may be helpful to you:
The skin makes its own natural oils that lubricate and protect the skin. So, it is necessary to do all we can to retain these oils on our skin. It is for this reason that we recommend using mild cleansers like Cetaphil, Dove unscented, Basis, or Purpose. It is also important to keep your showers cool, and avoid scrubbing. Moisturizers are also required to help keep our skin hydrated to help prevent excessive dryness and the appearance of rashes. Some that we recommend include Eucerin, DML, Nutraderm, and Moisturel---for severely dry skin, Aquaphor or Ammonium Lactate 12% may be beneficial. For individuals with sensitive skin, I will often recommend for a laundry detergent--Dreft (used for babies' clothes). For swimmers, I suggest an immediate cool rinse after coming out of the pool to wash off all the potentially irritating chemicals.
Overexposure to ultraviolet rays is one of the most common causes for many skin conditions, ranging from simple sunburn to skin cancer. There are also many oral medications that can cause intense rashes, if the skin is exposed to sunlight. I recommend that all my patients wear broad brimmed hats when outdoors (baseball caps and visors are often not sufficient). Sunscreens are also very important—whatever sunscreen you use should have a minimum SPF rating of 15 and block UVA and UVB. Everyone has their own individual preferences, but I often suggest Solbar SPF 50 for patients with normal skin, and Solbar SPF 30 gel for patients with oily skin. Patients should also be mindful about staying out of doors during the peak hours of 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. TANNING SALONS ARE ABSOLUTELY NOT RECOMMENDED. For patients who are highly sensitive to the sun, there are several companies that make clothing that is woven to block out ultraviolet radiation—consider looking up Sun Precautions and Sun Solutions on the internet for their brochures.
- When is a Mole Suspicious?
Almost everyone has moles and freckles. However, if you see a mole begin to change—either in its symmetry, shape, color, size, or texture—you should call to make an appointment to have it evaluated. Similarly, if a mole bleeds, scabs, or becomes itchy or painful, you should bring it to our attention. Remember, the only "dumb" question is the one you have that you don't ask!
My Credentials
| Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA |
| UC Los Angeles Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA |
| UC San Francisco Medical Center, San Francisco, CA |
| Dermatology, American Board of Dermatology |
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