Melissa strives to provide quality care in general dermatology, stay current in laser and aesthetic technology, and give patients the medical experience they deserve.  She puts everything into all she does, whether dancing Salsa or Swing, hiking a mountain pass, loving her family, or caring for her patients at Honest Dermatology Skin and Laser Center.

 

Melissa is a southern California native and a graduate of Quartz Hill High School. She completed her Bachelors Degree of Science in Biology with a minor in Spanish at Pacific University in Portland, OR. After graduation, Melissa earned both her EMT-Basic and EMT-Intermediate certifications. She then worked as an EMT-I for Metro West Ambulance where she partnered in the transport of emergency patients for a full year.

 

For graduate school she attended University of Southern California's (Go Trojans!) Keck School of Medicine. She was trained by some of the best in the medical and cosmetic dermatology industry including expert Physicians in many different specialties including Orthopedic surgery at Los Angeles County Hospital (a level 1 trauma center) and Facial Plastic Surgery with Andrew Berman, MD. It was with Dr. Berman that Melissa was first introduced to the cosmetic world with training in Botox and dermal fillers (e.g. Restylane, Radiesse). It was 2005 and laser and injectible (filler and Botox) technology was just taking off.

 

After three years of study, Melissa graduated from USC’s Keck School of Medicine with her Master’s degree in Master of Physician Assistant Practice. She was certified by the National Committee for the Certification of Physician Assistants after passing a comprehensive examination and was then licensed by the State of California in 2006. Melissa immediately out of grad school began work at a private dermatology practice in Sherman Oaks. During her seven years with the company, she worked hard becoming an asset to the company with her dermatology knowledge, patient centered care, honest approach, her supervision of the clinical aspects of the practice, and her cosmetic expertise.

 

She is an Adjunct Professor of Clinical Medicine at USC’s Keck School of Medicine where she is involved in the training at the Master’s level. Since 2009, she’s been responsible for the annual USC Clinical Dermatology lecture series; she instructs in the advanced suturing workshops; she provides the dermatology review for the graduating students prior to their national board exams; and she supervises and trains students completing their advanced clinical rotations.In August 2009, Melissa was asked to become an ACE Speaker for Allergan Medical Facial Aesthetics.

 

She lectures and leads round table discussions on the use of Botox Cosmetic , Juvaderm, and Latisse. In addition, in 2012 she was asked to be part of the Valeant training team and instructs on the use and injection technique of Sculptra. She is an active member of the California Association of Physician Assistants (CAPA) and of the Society for Dermatologic Physician Assistants (SDPA). She presented a dermatology case at CAPA’s annual conference to an audience of over 200 medical colleagues in 2008.

 

Melissa believes Continued Education has played vast roles in her success and progress and avidly attends conferences and discussions to include:

• Minimally Invasive Aesthetic Surgery, May 2007, 16 hours

• CAPA Annual Conference, October 2007, 19 hours

• The Scope Course – Skin Curriculum Overview for Physician Extenders, May 2008, 35 hours

• Advanced Botox and Advanced Dermal Filler Combination Course, October 2008, 8 hours

• CAPA Annual Conference, October 2008, 19 hours

• SPDA 8th Annual Dermatology Synopsis, March 09, 15 hours

• The New Age of Anti-Age: Facial Rejuvenation with Danny Vleggaar, MD from Geneva, Switzerland. September 2009

• Sculptra Aesthetic Tele-conference led by Rebecca Fitzgerald, MD, December 2009

• The New Age of Anti-Age: Facial Rejuvenation with SculptraAesthetic. Roundtable Discussion led by Michael Pickard,MD, February 2010

• Pediatric Dermatology for the Practitioner April 2011 Rady Children’s Hospital, La Jolla, CA, 12.25 hours

• Chicago Physician Assistant PANCE/PANRE Board Review Course January 2012 Chicago, IL, 24 hours

(partial list - needs update)

 

Melissa's goal is to create a clean, honest, and positive experience for all patients, dermatology and cosmetic.  With Medical Director, Board Certified Dermatologist Dr. Sabat and the amazing team at Honest Dermatology Skin and Laser Center she has the opportunity to provide the best care for all patients. She strives to stay current and provide excellence in general dermatology, laser and aesthetic technology, and give every patient the medical care they deserve.

 

WHAT IS A PA?

Physician Assistants (PAs) are licensed health care providers who are qualified by academic and clinical training to practice medicine under the supervision of a physician.​PAs undergo intensive education, modeled on that of physicians, to provide medical care ranging from health histories and physical exams to diagnostic tests, procedures, and treatment, including prescribing medications.

 

PAs practice in all specialties, from Family Medicine to Surgery, as part of a physician-PA team.​PAs must graduate from an accredited program and pass a certification exam, developed by the National Board of Medical Examiners and the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants. To maintain certification and use the designation “Physician Assistant - Certified (PA-C),”

 

PAs must earn 100 hours continuing medical education every two years and sit for a re-certification exam every 6 years.

 

click for more info about PAs on the USC website