Orange Coast Magazine - January 2024 by The Lifestyle Magazines of SoCal

REVIEW: R ARE SOC IET Y STU N S IN SAN C LE M E NTE

TOP DOCTORS JANUARY 2024 $5.95

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704 PHYS I C IAN S O F EXC E LLE N C E A S J U D G ED BY TH E O R AN G E CO U NT Y M ED I CAL A S SO C IATI O N

SANJAY GROVER MD, FACS

Board Cer tif ied Plastic Surgeon

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We thank you, our more than 190 UCI Health doctors named Physicians of Excellence by the Orange County Medical Association, for providing expert, compassionate care to our patients. As part of Orange County’s only academic health system, your leadership, innovation and teamwork help us advance medicine and strengthen the health of our community. Congratulations!

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Meet our Physicians of Excellence at ucihealth.org/topdocs

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UCI Health Physicians of Excellence for 2024 Allergy & Clinical Immunology Donald S. Levy, MD Anesthesiology Kyle Ahn, MD Melissa Chang, MD Scott Engwall, MD Robert R. Field, MD Anna L. Harris, MD Richard J. Kelly, MD Debra E. Morrison, MD Ariana M. Nelson, MD Kyle P. Paredes, MD Anil Tiwari, MD Shermeen B. Vakharia, MD Trung Q. Vu, MD

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Cardiovascular Disease Roxana Ghashghaei, MD Jin Kyung Kim, MD, PhD Pranav M. Patel, MD Clinical Biochemical Genetics Virginia Kimonis, MD Colon & Rectal Surgery Joseph C. Carmichael, MD Steven D. Mills, MD Dermatology Kristen M. Kelly, MD Patrick K. Lee, MD

Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics Robin B. Steinberg Epstein, MD Peter Chung, MD Thusa Sabapathy, MD Diagnostic Radiology Arash Anavim, MD Biraj Bista, MD Joseph E. Burns, MD Freddie Combs, MD Dayantha Fernando, MD David R. Floriolli, MD Maryam Golshan-Momeni, MD Mohammad Helmy, MD Roozbeh Houshyar, MD

Sonia Lee, MD Irene Tsai, MD Marisa Tseng, MD

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Emergency Medicine Isabel M. Algaze Gonzalez, MD Megan Boysen Osborn, MD Jennifer S. Roh, MD Warren F. Wiechmann, MD, MBA Alisa V. Wray, MD Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism Andrew R. Reikes, MD Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery Brian J.F. Wong, MD

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Family Medicine Lynette Bui, DO Brian Y. Kim, MD Christopher A. Kroner, MD José Mayorga, MD Tan Q. Nguyen, MD Charles P. Vega, MD Baotran N. Vo, MD

Ritesh Parajuli, MD Jason A. Zell, DO

Female Pelvic Medicine & Reconstructive Surgery Taylor Brueseke, MD Felicia L. Lane, MD

Nephrology Ekamol Tantisattamo, MD

Gastroenterology Kenneth J. Chang, MD John G. Lee, MD Nimisha K. Parekh, MD Sunhee (Sandra) Park, MD Jason B. Samarasena, MD Geriatric Medicine Lisa Gibbs, MD Sonia R. Sehgal, MD Steven P. Tam, MD Gynecologic Oncology Krishnansu Tewari, MD Hematology-Oncology Elizabeth A. Brém, MD Lauren C. Pinter-Brown, MD Richard A. Van Etten, MD, PhD Hospice/Palliative Care Shiho Ito, MD Infectious Disease Lanny Hsieh, MD Miki Watanabe, MD Internal Medicine Alpesh Amin, MD, MBA Emilie L. Chow, MD Ke-Qin Hu, MD Sonali Iyer, MD Bavani Nadeswaran, MD Maryam Rahimi, MD Bobby Sasson, MD Simin Torabzadeh, MD Interventional Radiology Nadine Abi-Jaoudeh, MD

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Maternal-Fetal Medicine Judith H. Chung, MD, PhD Afshan Hameed, MD Tamera J. Hatfield, MD, PhD Jennifer A. Jolley, MD Carol Major, MD Manual Porto, MD Medical Oncology Paul Coluzzi, MD Farshid Dayyani, MD, PhD Deepa Jeyakumar, MD Nataliya Mar, MD

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Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine Muhammad Aslam, MD Fayez Bany-Mohammed, MD Rebecca J. Coleman, MD Yona Nicolau, MD Cherry Uy, MD

Neurology Yama Akbari, MD, PhD Daniela A. Bota, MD, PhD Cyrus K. Dastur, MD Mark J. Fisher, MD Namita A. Goyal, MD Ali A. Habib, MD Xiao-Tang Kong, MD, PhD Manisha Korb, MD Lilit Mnatsakanyan, MD Tahseen Mozaffar, MD Mona Sazgar, MD Sara Stern-Nezer Shuichi Suzuki, MD Gaby Thai, MD Neurosurgery Jefferson Chen, MD, PhD Kiarash Golshani, MD Frank P.K. Hsu, MD, PhD Mark E. Linskey, MD Michael Y. Oh, MD Sumeet Vadera, MD Obstetrics & Gynecology Donna Baick, MD Jennifer Butler, MD Tabetha R. Harken, MD Christine Kim, MD Michael Krychman, MD Rachel Perry, MD Ophthalmology Andrew W. Browne, MD Robert Wade Crow, MD Marjan Farid, MD Sumit (Sam) Garg, MD Charlotte Gore, MD Sanjay Kedhar, MD Baruch D. Kuppermann, MD, PhD Ken Y. Lin, MD Stephanie Y. Lu, MD Mitul C. Mehta, MD Sameh Mosaed, MD Jeremiah P. Tao, MD Matthew W. Wade, MD

Yu-Po Lee, MD Gregory Rafijah, MD John A. Scolaro, MD Dean Wang, MD Otolaryngology/Head & Neck Surgery William B. Armstrong, MD Naveen D. Bhandarkar, MD Hamid R. Djalilian, MD Tjoson Tjoa, MD Pathology Cassiana E. Bittencourt, MD Sherif A. Rezk, MD Pediatrics Behnoosh Afghani, MD Amy Cheng, MD Melitza Cobham-Browne, MD Dan M. Cooper, MD Elsie Rosso Hidalgo, MD Daniel Kang, MD Hanh-Uyen Nguyen-Tang, MD Leticia C. Oliveros, MD Varalakshmi Reddy, MD Candice E. Taylor, MD Tommy Wang, MD Pediatric Cardiology Anjan S. Batra, MD Nafiz Kiciman, MD

Surgery Shaun Daly, MD Marcelo W. Hinojosa, MD David K. Imagawa, MD, PhD Kari Kansal, MD Karen T. Lane, MD Jeffry T. Nahmias, MD Ninh T. Nguyen, MD Brian R. Smith, MD Transfusion Medicine Minh-Ha Tran, DO Urology Ralph V. Clayman, MD Daniel J. Cwikla, MD Joel Gelman, MD Gamal M. Ghoniem, MD Greg E. Gin, MD Mark L. Jordan, MD Jaime Landman, MD Ross Moskowitz, MD Roshan M. Patel MD M. Leon Seard II, MD Edward Uchio, MD Faysal A. Yafi, MD Vascular Surgery Nii-Kabu Kabutey, MD Isabella J. Kuo, MD

Pediatric Radiology Liliane Gibbs, MD Pediatric Urology Kai-wen Chuang, MD Heidi A. Stephany, MD Elias Wehbi, MD Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Danielle Perret Karimi, MD Bi-Ying Yeh, MD Plastic Surgery Gregory Evans, MD Daniel Jaffurs, MD Psychiatry Rimal B. Bera, MD Anju Hurria, MD Robert McCarron, DO Pulmonary Disease Richard A. Lee, MD Radiation Oncology Allen M. Chen, MD, MBA Rheumatology Sheetal Desai, MD

Orthopedic Surgery Nitin N. Bhatia, MD Ranjan Gupta, MD Andrew R. Hsu, MD

12/5/23 12:09 PM

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The new chapter of healthcare begins here At UCI Health, we don’t just practice medicine, we create it. Now we are writing the next chapter for healthcare in Orange County. With UCI Health — Irvine, UCI Health will bring our patients unparalleled expertise, leading-edge treatments and the finest evidence-based care that only an academic medical system can offer. The 800,000-square-foot medical campus will be anchored by a state-of-the-art hospital, which will offer 24-hour emergency care and personalized cancer treatments, including hundreds of clinical trials by our NCI-designated comprehensive cancer center. Our world-renowned experts will also deliver exceptional care in other specialties, such as digestive diseases, neurosciences and orthopaedics, all powered by the University of California. We stop at nothing to build a healthier tomorrow. Learn more at ucihealth.org/irvinehospital

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12/5/23 12:10 PM

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12/5/23 12:11 PM

Providing award-winning care Providence’s 2,300 physicians provide award-winning care at our three hospitals and more than 90 outpatient clinics. We join the Orange County Medical Association in honoring our physicians for their clinical excellence and dedication to creating a healthier community.

Find your doctor today at:

Providence.org/ocdoctors

Lisa Abaid, MD Steven Abelowitz, MD Sean Adrean, MD Behnoosh Afghani, MD Morris Ahdoot, MD Gurpreet Ahuja, MD Ihab Alomari, MD Sinda W. Althoen, MD Gustavo Alva, MD Katherine Andreeff, MD Lars Anker, MD Antonio Arrieta, MD Robert Ash, MD Negar Ashouri, MD Amir Ashrafi, MD Muhammad Aslam, MD Christine A. Ayoub, DO Leon Baginski, MD Ashley Balaker, MD Eric H. Ball, MD Jeffrey Ballard, MD Fayez M. Bany-Mohammed, MD Connie Bartlett, DO Daryoush Bassiri, MD

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Anjan Batra, MD Mariam Behbehani, DO Kushal Y. Bhakta, MD Amrit Bhangoo, MD Jay Bhatt, MD Rahul Bhola, MD Jacadi Bignami, MD Nikolai A. Bildzukewicz, MD Donald E. Bittner, MD Christine Bixby, MD Seth L. Brindis, MD John V. Brown, MD Taylor Brueseke, MD Dennis Buchanan, MD Michael Burdi, MD Timothy Byun, MD Michele Carpenter, MD Wan-Yin Chan, MD Clifford A. Char, MD Sanford Chen, MD Chana Chin, MD Michael Cho, MD Ashish Chogle, MD Kai-wen Chuang, MD

Judith Chung, MD Rebecca J. Coleman, MD Dennis Crockett, MD Jane D. Curtis, MD Hang Dang, DO Angela Dangvu, MD Tuan Dao, MD Kelly Davis, MD Sonia B. Dhoot, MD Michele Domico, MD Nita Doshi, MD Daina Dreimane, MD Daniel Duggan, DO Azam Eghbal, MD Charles W.G. Eifrig, MD Mark Elzik, MD Tanya Evans, MD Steven Feinberg, MD Sarah S. Field, MD Michael Fitzpatrick, MD Nikta Forghani, MD Jane L. Frederick, MD Lamia Gabal, MD Anjalee Galion, MD

Richard Gates, MD Joey R. Gee, DO John German, MD David L. Gibbs, MD Michael Gillman, MD Robert Goldberg, MD Linda Golkar, MD Gabriel Gomez, MD Gary Goodman, MD Anita Gregory, MD Robert C. Grumet, MD Afshan Hameed, MD Jeffrey H. Ho, DO Jennifer C. Ho, MD Hector Ho, MD Lisa Hoang, MD William Nathanael Holmes, MD John Hovanesian, MD Christopher Hsu, MD Juliette Hunt, MD Van T. Huynh, MD Jung Hwang, DO John Hwang, MD Robert J. Jackson, MD

Peter J. Joson, MD Mustafa Kabeer, MD Daniel Kang, MD Romit Kar, MD Renuka Kar, MD Himala Kashmiri, DO Michael Katz, MD Charles Keller, MD Robert B. Kelly, MD Diana H. Kersten, MD Kiarash (Kevin) Khajavi, MD Nafiz Kiciman, MD Joseph Kim, MD Brian T. Kim, MD Keun-young (Anthony) Kim, MD Kevin Kinback, MD Jason Knight, MD Chris G. Koutures, MD Sudeep Kukreja, MD Manoj Kulkarni, MD Wyman W. Lai, MD Hollie Lai, MD Francois D. Lalonde, MD Vinh Lam, MD

11/21/23 2:04 PM

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Anh Le, MD Steve Lee, MD Brian S. Lee, MD Michael Y. Lee, MD David W. Lee, MD Michael K. Lee, MD Eric W. Lee, MD Alex Leung, MD Donald Levy, MD Patricia Liao, MD Jina Lim, MD Chao-I Lin, MD Carol Lin, MD Hengli (Henry) Lin, MD Derek N. Lodico, DO Arthur H. Loussararian, MD Paul Lubinsky, MD Jennifer Lusk, MD Yung Lyou, MD Carol Major, MD Michael Marandola, MD Mark Masotto, MD John Maurice, MD Michael McConnell, MD

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Desmond McGuire, MD Andrew McIntosh, MD Kenneth Meng, MD Uthara Mohan, MD Russell Montgomery, MD Matthew Mullarky, MD Jagmeet Mundi, MD Ali Nael Amzajerdi, MD Daniel Nahl, DO Neal Nakra, MD Shoba Narayan, MD James Nguyen, MD Jon Nguyen, MD Hoang (Wayne) Nguyen, MD Yona Nicolau, MD Delma Nieves, MD Tanya Nino, MD Diane Nugent, MD Kirk L. Ohanian, MD Joffre E. Olaya, MD Sarah O’Loughlin, MD Brian Palafox, MD David J. Park, MD Samuel Park, MD

Anup Patel, MD Sameer Pathare, MD Lynnus Peng, MD Nguyen Pham, MD Donald J. Phillips, MD Manuel Porto, MD Daniel Potter, MD Geetha Puthenveetil, MD Tauseef Qureshi, MD Vikas Rao, MD Rajiv R. Rathod, MD Zachariah Reda, MD Pierangelo Renella, MD Jeffrey A. Rey, MD Michael Ritter, MD Johanna Rodriguez-Toledo, MD Elyssa Rubin, MD Thusa Sabapathy, MD Amanda Salter, MD Melanie R. Santos, MD Neha Savalia, MD Lutfi A. Sayyur, MD John A. Schlechter, DO Adam J. Schwarz, MD

Samir Shah, MD Stewart Shanfield, MD Valerie Sheppard, MD Hal S. Shimazu, MD Daniel Shrey, MD Andrew Shulman, MD Jasjit Singh, MD Shahram (Shawn) Solhpour, MD Monica Sondhi, MD Amit Soni, MD Aaron Spitz, MD Joanne Starr, MD Heidi A. Stephany, MD Alexander Taghva, MD Laura Tangredi, DO Sharief K. Taraman, MD Neyssan Tebyani, MD Katarzyna Tesmer, MD Krishnansu S. Tewari, MD Pornchai Tirakitsoontorn, MD Stephen L. Tocci, MD Minodora Totoiu, MD Taylor Tran, MD Andy Tran, MD

Tuan Trinh, MD Hieu Truong, MD Paul Tung, DO Cherry Uy, MD Dan Vu, MD Robert M. Wald, Jr., MD Raymond Wang, MD Tommy Wang, MD Eric K. Wellmeyer, MD Phillip Wells, MD Venita Williams, MD Katherine Williamson, MD Christepher David Yao, MD Timothy You, MD Ari R. Youderian, MD Samy Younis, MD Peter Yu, MD Arthur Zepeda, MD

11/21/23 2:05 PM

California Desert Dream: Luxury & Elegance Defined 80800 Vista Bonita Trail represents the epitome of California desert living—boasting a captivating landscape with lush gardens, exquisite fruit trees, and a large pond. Its resort-like amenities offer both a serene retreat and an entertainer’s paradise, combining luxury, comfort, and convenience in a rare treasure of a property.

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11/18/23 5:56 AM

80800 VISTA BONITA TRAIL, LA QUINTA 6 BEDROOMS | 7.5 BATHROOMS | 10,000 SQFT OFFERED AT $8,995,000

DAVE ARCHULETTA | LIC# 02092569

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11/18/23 5:57 AM

Lisa Guerra, M.D.

Jo Lieberman-Pan, M.D.

Breast-Dedicated Surgeon MemorialCare Cancer Institute Newport Beach

Family Medicine MemorialCare Medical Group Fountain Valley -Warner

Congratulations to the MemorialCare Physicians of Excellence! We are proud of our MemorialCare physicians and affiliated providers who were recognized as Physicians of Excellence. Thank you for your continued service to our community and your commitment to providing exceptional high-quality care. Our entire organization celebrates your steadfast dedication to caring for our patients. We appreciate all you do to make our community a healthier place. LONG BEACH MEDICAL CENTER | MILLER CHILDREN’S & WOMEN’S HOSPITAL LONG BEACH | SADDLEBACK MEDICAL CENTER

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11/29/23 10:05 AM

ORANG

M.D.

Trung Tristan Truong, M.D.,F.A.A.P.

Carla Wells, M.D.

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Pediatrics MemorialCare Medical Group Rancho Mission Viejo

OB/GYN MemorialCare Medical Group Irvine - Barranca

CENTER

PHYSICIANS OF

EXCELLENCE

memorialcare.org |

ORANGE COAST MEDICAL CENTER | MEMORIALCARE MEDICAL GROUP | GREATER NEWPORT PHYSICIANS MEMORIALCARE

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11/29/23 10:06 AM

Honoring Orange County’s Top Doctors There’s strength in numbers. With access to more than 1,400 doctors and nearly 90 specialties, you can count on our entire care team to support your total health. Because you’re our top priority. On behalf of all of Kaiser Permanente’s Orange County doctors, congratulations to our 121 colleagues named 2024 Physicians of Excellence by the Orange County Medical Association. Allergy and Clinical Immunology

Dermatology (cont’d)

Family Medicine

Amber M. Burnette, MD Lisa H. Lim, MD

Rana Rofagha Sajjadian, MD Hege Grande Sarpa, MD Silvia Song, MD Sherry Youssef, MD

Fred Alamshaw, DO Rhett Bartolome, DO Neetu A. Bhola, MD Lance Brunner, MD Thanh Bui, MD Ming Chen, DO Stephanie Chu, MD Wendy Coling, MD Kara Cummins, MD

Anesthesiology Chi Ukishima, MD Ramin Zolfagari, MD

Dermatology Jason Castillo, MD Van Hoang, MD Marit Kreidel, MD Nathalie Nguyen, MD

Emergency Medicine Albert Jin, MD Shadi Lahham, MD Todd R. Newton, MD Chien Sun, MD Sean Wilson, MD

kp.org/orangecounty

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11/18/23 5:38 AM

Family Medicine (cont’d)

Nephrology

Pediatrics

Liza D. Eshilian-Oates, MD Everard Tesoro Esteban, MD Quynh-Hoa Le, DO Lucio Loza, MD Sofia E. Meraz, MD Timothy Munzing, MD Carrie Nelson-Vasquez, MD Hiroki Richard Noda, MD Andrew M. Park, MD Diane Pham, MD Michael Provenghi, MD Paul A. Vollucci, DO

Stephanie Cheung, MD Tam Pham, MD Nephrology

Annie Carr, MD Nancy Daisy Dodd, MD Afif El-Hasan, MD Irene Kan, MD Connie Lin, MD Jonathan S. Lin, MD Maria Nguyen, MD Myriam B. Perez, MD David Shinmei, MD Michelle Solomon, MD Eric Troyan, MD Vincent Valenzuela, MD

Family Medicine– Sports Medicine James Hwang, MD

Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery Noelani M. Guaderrama, MD Jun Ihara, MD Jennifer K. Lee, MD Emily L. Whitcomb, MD

Gastroenterology Andrew Q. Giap, MD

Gynecologic Oncology Noah Rodriguez, MD Jay P. Shah, MD

Internal Medicine Lex Chen, MD Hoang (Bryan) Dong, MD Susan Hodes, MD Dan Huynh, MD Khoa Lam, MD Theodore Lee, MD Priya Bhatia Monahan, MD

Maternal–Fetal Medicine Anna Galyean, MD

Medical Oncology Samina Ahmed, MD

Neonatal–Perinatal Medicine Marielle H. Nguyen, MD Sandra Short-Bartlett, MD

@kaiserpermanenteoc

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Neurology Sirichai Chayasirisobhon, MD

Obstetrics and Gynecology N. Elizabeth. Arovas, MD Julisa Bravo, MD Christopher T. Donnelly, MD Debra R. Gierut, MD Christina Hong, MD Phong Q. Lai, DO Neal Lonky, MD Akta Patel, MD Paula M. Richter, MD Betty Shen, MD Diana M. Spak, MD

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Anh Quan Nguyen, DO

Plastic Surgery Robert Tuchler, MD

Ophthalmology

Psychiatry

Rishi Doshi, MD Ahsan Khan, MD Kenneth B Krantz, MD Ashish M. Mehta, MD Shaival Shah, MD Sean W. Tsao, MD Alison Wong, MD Kevin Yuhan, MD

Neel Doshi, DO Pranav Shah, MD Felicia K. Wong, MD

Otolaryngology/Head-Neck Surgery Syed Ahsan, MD Theodore Chen, MD Rohit Garg, MD Terry Shibuya, MD

Pediatric Anesthesiology Nhat (Nathan) Le, MD

Pediatric Gastroenterology Phyllis Agran, MD

Pediatric Hematology-Oncology Naveen Qureshi, MD

Pediatric Hospital Medicine Jennifer Linzmeyer, DO

Pediatric Urology

Surgery Richard H. Suh, MD Susan Walker, MD Nader Yamin, MD Kambiz Zainabadi, MD

Surgery, Neurological Sooho Choi, MD

Surgery, Orthopedic Rick Csintalan, MD Brent R. Davis, MD Tad Funahashi, MD Arthur Lee, MD Abraham G. Lin, MD Mohamed Moussa, MD Andrew Y. Park, MD Kelly C. Stets, MD Edward Yian, MD

Urology William K. Kim, MD Jonathan Wu, MD

Jenny Yiee, MD

@kpocthrive

11/18/23 5:44 AM

JANUARY “Giving up an organ—it was the proudest day of my life both times. I’m really proud of three things in my life: marrying Erica, having a daughter, and donating my organs. I was beyond grateful to do that. If more people knew how easy it is to be a hero, the world would be a better place.” — JOSH HARROLD OF ANAHEIM HILLS

S N A P S H OT Connie Spenuzza is an international award-winning author who has published 13 books and visited 128 countries. BY CHELSEA RAINERI

TO P D O C S 2024 Here’s our annual roster of the physicians judged by the Orange County Medical Association to be among the most accomplished. Plus, we share six inspiring stories about O.C. residents.

O N T H E C OV E R

Photographed at Orange County Museum of Art by Scott Smeltzer 14

O R A N G E C O A S T | January 2024

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photograph by SCOTT SMELTZER

12/7/23 12:09 PM

CELEBRATING CHILDHOOD— AND THE PHYSICIANS WHO DEFEND IT. Celebrations are an important part of childhood. That’s why CHOC physicians passionately work to ensure that nothing interferes with children and families experiencing special milestones, from a baby’s first steps to a teen’s first dance. Thank you to our medical staff and to our inspiring physicians of excellence for being passionate defenders of childhood.

CHOC.ORG

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12/6/23 9:21 AM

JANUARY 52

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E D ITO R ’S LET TE R O R AN G E COA ST AT 50! PU B LI S H E R ’S PAG E

PEO PLE & PL AC E S Huntington Central Park

‘HOODS Something for everyone in the Westcliff area of Newport Beach

PE R FECT G ETAWAY Santa Barbara is the perfect place to start your year.

C U LTU R E PH I LE Irvine-based author Susie Yi shares her new graphic novel.

O.C . E VE NTS Step Afrika!, “Ain’t Misbehavin’,” and more happenings

O R A N G E C O A S T | January 2024

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ST YLE & H O M E A handmade plate and serving set from Kamsah in Santa Ana H OT S H O P Miel in Mission Viejo FI N D S Dress in moody florals for winter. O N TH E MAR KET A luxe kitchen in Irvine, plus a chat with the area leader for Sweetgreen AT H O M E WITH ... The owner of Huntington Beach’s Jo & Rose FO O D & D R I N K Rare Society in San Clemente stuns.

60 62 63

58 5 Q U E STI O N S WITH ... Eddie Hyman, executive chef at The Country Club in Costa Mesa FO O D TR E N D S New places and new takes on choice steak in O.C. SCENE & SEEN Crystal Cove Conservancy, Orange County Community Foundation, and more galas

DINING GUIDE 129 Many of our minireviews, plus a look at Mercado González in Costa Mesa

RSON OF 148 PE I NTE R E ST

Stand-up comic and O.C. native Leslie Liao

W EB EXTR A S Andrew Gruel, chefowner of Calico Fish House in Huntington Beach, joins Cathy Thomas to prepare a one-pan seared salmon with sweet potatoes, mushrooms, and garbanzo beans. orangecoast.com /cathythomas The family behind Jedidiah Coffee in Newport Beach orangecoast.com Read more about food and drink trends in Orange County. orangecoast.com

@orangecoastmag

photographs by SCOTT SMELTZER

12/5/23 10:50 AM

Photo: Yubo Dong, ofstudio

Plan Your Plan Your Next Event Next Event at OCMA at OCMA

The Orange County Museum of Art stands as an exquisite venue nestled within the Segerstrom Center for theCounty Arts. Museum of The Orange Art stands as an exquisite venue Host your eventthe in an architectural nestled within Segerstrom marvel by renowned Centerdesigned for the Arts. architect Thom Mayne of Morphosis Host your Studio. event in an architectural marvel designed by renowned Immerse to 400 guests architectup Thom Mayne of in 25,000 square feet of incredible Morphosis Studio. art space. Immerse up to 400 guests in 25,000 square feet of incredible art space.

Photo: Yubo Dong, ofstudio

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12/1/23 12:45 PM

E D ITO R ’S LET TE R

ometimes I’m asked to speak to local groups and describe a day in the life of a magazine editor. Of course, there’s plenty of time spent in front of a computer writing, editing, and hopefully getting notes from readers. There are many other days that our team is out reporting on trends, interviewing community leaders, finding new places to eat and shop, collaborating on photo shoots, and brainstorming ideas. It’s always intriguing to learn what readers care about—the dining guide elicits more comments every month than anything else! This year is the magazine’s 50th anniversary, and we couldn’t be more excited about our continuing commitment to sharing all we know and love about O.C. every month. We’re adding a page to each issue this year to look back across the five decades and share our personal stories about working at the magazine (Page 20). We’ll also celebrate the longevity of Orange Coast in the May issue. (We’re hosting a big party, too, so be sure to stay tuned for how to join us there.) I’ve been here for nine years, and I still get a kick out of looking back at our recent past and the eras from long before my time. Subscribers tell me they keep their favorite issues to use as a guide all year, and they still recall the many decades of celebrities on our pages. Our offices were showcases for all of the past covers, and there was always a hidden gem to be found, no matter how many times we passed them. We shifted the format in 2008 to focus on service journalism, and we continue that approach now with annual issues touting the best in O.C., such as Kickass Women, Best New Restaurants, Best Of, Health & Wellness, and a preview of the arts season. We’re starting 2024 with lofty goals, while also reflecting on the joy this magazine has delivered for 50 years. Thank you for joining us for this ride!

M S . AL AN G I B B O N S

ED I TO R- I N - C H I EF AG I B B O N S @ O R A N G ECOA S T.CO M

B E N E ATH TH E C OVE R S : M Y STA N D O UT I S S U E S

The first cover story I was in charge of didn’t resonate with readers: our worst-selling issue in years! 18

I wrote this travel article based on a great trip up our state, and the package won a national award.

O R A N G E C O A S T | January 2024

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These kids aren’t pro models; they’re our staff’s daughters (including mine). This shoot was a blast.

Keeping it in the family with a kid, a dog, and a boyfriend from our team, plus our amazing marketing director.

One of my fave Top Doctors covers: My son and our senior editor’s daughter hammed it up with the pediatrician. illustration by MARTHA NIPPERT

12/5/23 10:51 AM

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11/29/23 6:06 PM

MY FIRST DAY CHELSEA RAINERI Style & Home Editor Started in 2018

WHAT’S IN A NAME Fifth time’s the charm for this publication.

hen this magazine launched in 1974, it was called Nieuport. Why that odd spelling? Who can say. Publishers Ronald V. Guccione and G. Stuart Karl Jr. welcomed readers to the inaugural issue, saying the publication would look to “bring to you the personalities that are shaping Los Angeles and Orange Counties.” By the time they were ready to publish a third issue, they’d changed the name to Newport Life, and Guccione told readers “I saw a need for expanded coverage of Southern California’s Orange Coast [so close!], and Newport Life is going to fill that void.” Newport Life continued monthly for a year, featuring celebrities such as Telly Savalas, Farrah Fawcett, Robert Wagner and Natalie Wood, and Lynda Carter on the covers. In March 1976, the publisher changed the name again, now to Orange County, which had a similar vibe but hoped to capture a wider area. Later that year, it was Orange Country for three issues [typo?]. Then finally in March of 1977, the name Orange Coast made its debut, touting “Suzanne Somers, brand new star on the video horizon.” It’s been great fun for us to take a stroll through history with the past issues. Beyond the celebrity covers, which Orange Coast capitalized on for decades, there are also peeks at what O.C. residents cared about then: dining, local events, fashion. Sound familiar? Thanks to readers like you, we’ve thrived along with the county for 50 years. We’re celebrating our gold anniversary all year, with special coverage in every issue and a big blowout in May. Stay tuned! 20

I’d wanted to work at Orange Coast several years before I met Alan, the editor-in-chief. She was speaking at a conference about her experience in journalism, and I introduced myself to her afterward. We met for coffee, and a few months later she wanted to make sure I’d seen the post seeking a new editor for the magazine. My first day working at Orange Coast was everything I’d hoped for: There was a box of Sidecar Doughnuts in the morning, and the editorial team took me out to lunch at East Borough. At the end of the day, we all played trivia before heading home.

TE LL U S A B O U T IT ! Got a story about your experience with Orange Coast through the years? Perhaps you were featured in the magazine, or you read an article that was particularly impactful. Let us know! Write to agibbons@orangecoast.com

O R A N G E C O A S T | January 2024

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SPONSORED CONTENT

A NEW ERA IN VISION CORRECTION: Discover the Breakthrough of Apthera

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has been a constant companion over the years. From manual incisions to laser surgeries, technology has continually pushed the boundaries of what’s possible. One name that stands out in this ever-evolving landscape is Gregg Feinerman MD, based in Newport Beach. Dr. Feinerman has been at the forefront of vision correction for decades, and his latest endeavor, Apthera, is garnering attention from both patients and eye surgeons for its revolutionary approach to enhancing vision. A Visionary in Newport Beach Nestled in the heart of Newport Beach, Dr. Feinerman’s practice is a beacon of cutting-edge eye care. With a commitment to providing the highest quality vision solutions, Dr. Feinerman has gained a reputation as a pioneer in the field. Patients from all over the world seek his expertise and personalized care, a testament to his dedication to improving their quality of life.

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Introducing Apthera Dr Feinerman is one of a select group of eye surgeons implanting the Apthera lens, which is the most recent advancement in lens implant surgery. Apthera filters out unfocused light that can cause blurry vision. With the Apthera IOL, light is naturally focused as it enters the eye and seamlessly expands your range of vision—so you can see objects, people, even text—across the full range of focal distances. Advantages of Apthera • Clear vision for near, far, and everything in between • Treats astigmatism (up to 1.5 diopters) • Filters out unfocused light • Works seamlessly in bright and low light conditions • Improves the quality of vision in eyes with irregular astigmatism The power of focused light Only the Apthera IOL offers small aperture technology. Unlike other IOLs, it does not split, shift or stretch light. When light enters your eye, the small aperture technology filters out unfocused light that can cause blurry vision. With the Apthera IOL, light is naturally focused as it enters the eye and seamlessly expands your range of vision—so you can see objects, people, even text—across the full range of focal distances. How is light focused? The Apthera IOL has a FilterRing™ component built within the lens. This FilterRing component creates a small aperture, allowing focused light to enter into the eye. Unfocused light that causes blurry vision is filtered away. This provides a continuous range of vision allowing patients to see from near (reading a cell phone), through intermediate (looking at a computer) to far (seeing a street light) without blurry zones. The Experience at Dr. Feinerman’s Practice Patients who visit Dr. Feinerman’s practice in Newport Beach are met with a blend of expertise, innovation, and personalized care. Every journey begins with a thorough consultation, during which Dr. Feinerman evaluates the patient’s unique needs and discusses the best course of action. For example, Dr Feinerman sometimes pairs Apthera with the Light Adjustable Lens® (another recent technology) in the fellow eye. This individualized approach ensures that each patient receives a tailored solution for their vision correction goals. Conclusion As technology continues to reshape the landscape of vision correction, Dr. Feinerman’s dedication to staying at the forefront of innovation remains unwavering. His introduction of the Apthera showcases his commitment to providing patients with the latest advancements that can significantly enhance their quality of life. Dr. Feinerman’s practice stands as a beacon of progress, offering a glimpse into the future of vision correction. With the Apthera, patients not only regain clear vision but also gain a new perspective on what’s possible in the world of eye care.

For those seeking a transformative approach to vision correction, Dr. Feinerman’s practice shines as a guiding light toward a future with better, sharper, and more vibrant vision. 320 SUPERIOR AVENUE, SUITE 390, NEWPORT BEACH | 949.631.4780 | FeinermanVision.com

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EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Alan Gibbons

PRESIDENT AND PUBLISHER Christopher Gialanella cgialanella@orangecoast.com

DESIGN DIRECTOR Andrew Hart

VICE PRESIDENT OF SALES AND CUSTOM CONTENT Carly Allen callen@orangecoast.com

SENIOR EDITOR Astgik Khatchatryan

EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT Linda Wallis Goldstein lgoldstein@orangecoast.com

STYLE & HOME EDITOR Chelsea Raineri

ACCOUNT DIRECTORS Randy Bilsley, rbilsley@orangecoast.com Edward Estrada, eestrada@orangecoast.com Richard Lockhart, rlockhart@orangecoast.com

STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Scott Smeltzer DINING CRITIC Gretchen Kurz

HEAD OF EXPERIENTIAL MARKETING Traci Takeda, ttakeda@orangecoast.com

EVENTS EDITOR Robin Jones

PRODUCTION MANAGER Sue Branica, sbranica@orangecoast.com

EDITORIAL INTERNS Andrew Ayala, Kristen Wilcox

PRODUCTION COORDINATOR Natalie Malins, nmalins@lamag.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Benjamin Epstein, Jessica Kim, Grace Murray, Greg Nagel, Valerie Takahama, Cathy Thomas, Barbara Neal Varma

ADVERTISING ART DIRECTOR Sheila Ramezani, sramezani@lamag.com STRATEGY AND PARTNERSHIPS DIRECTOR Suzy Starling, sstarling@lamag.com

CONTRIBUTING ARTIST Martha Nippert

DIGITAL COORDINATOR MJ Carpentier, mcarpentier@orangecoast.com Max Stretton, mstretton@lamag.com

ORANGE COAST MAGAZINE LLC 2102 Business Center Drive, Suite 125 Irvine, CA 92612 949-862-1133, orangecoast.com

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O R A N G E C O A S T | January 2024

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PU B LI S H E R ’S PAG E

2023, I am grateful for all the changes that have come my way. When Engine Vision Media purchased Los Angeles, Orange Coast, and Pasadena magazines, I never dreamed that I would be a part of media history in running one of the oldest city magazines in the country. I am proud of what our team has accomplished in a short period of time. The editors— Alan Gibbons at Orange Coast, Shirley Halperin at Los Angeles, and Malina Saval at Pasadena— have been instrumental in creating our vision. We love where we live and will continue to provide the best journalism, the most interesting events, the best way for businesses to prosper through advertising, and keep our digital entities as relevant as they have always been. They say it takes a village, and I am proud of the entire village we have. This month, we feature our “Top Doctors” issue with the handsome and successful Dr. Sanjay Grover gracing our cover. Dr. Grover has been a friend and confidant of mine for many years. He is an expert in helping us on the outside, to make us better people on the inside. He is a UCLA graduate and came to California via Buffalo! As we make our New Year’s resolutions, let’s not be too hard on ourselves. Some will partake in a “Dry January,” while others tend to join gyms and make fitness a big part of their regimen. Whatever your goals, check out the list of Physicians of Excellence on these pages. Enjoy this month’s issue, and be sure to stay tuned for some great things happening around Southern California!

C HR I S T O P HE R G I A L A NE L L A

President/Publisher Orange Coast Magazine cg ialanella@orangecoast.com Instag ram: @christopherg ia @orangecoastmag

PH OTOG R A PH C O U RT ESY OF N I O VAR DA N

anuary is here. We all survived 2023 and for me, it was a turning point year. As I reflect on

O R A N G E C O A S T | January 2024

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JANUARY

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ORANG E C OA S T | January 2024

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A Cure for Fungus Nails? How Dr. Ivar Roth is eliminating fungus with

NAILCUR

Dr. Roth has created an innovative approach to eliminating fungus by combining state-of-the-art lasers and a comprehensive nail and foot care regimen, aptly named - nailcur™. The nailcur™ program is guaranteed to kill fungus, restore the nail, and keep fungus away. The proprietary 4-Step Process combines: Specialized Laser Treatments Meticulous Nail Care Daily Maintenance Kit Nail Vitamins and Antifungals The entire treatment process takes approximately four months - one session every two weeks for a total of eight visits. With both the laser treatment and the prescribed at-home maintenance, patients can have renewed skin and nails by Summer. If you suffer from fungus, dry skin and cracks found on the soles of the feet, it is most likely also caused by a fungal infection. The nailcur™ Nighttime Foot Rejuvenation System is composed of protocols and products to fight your fungal infection and beautify your feet. This system is all part of the nailcur™ treatment. Our nailcur™ Guarantee IVAR E. ROTH, DPM/MPH

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Concierge Podiatry and Spa 495 Old Newport Blvd. #300, Newport Beach, CA 92663 (949) 650-1147

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GOOD TIMES

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NE W YE AR

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PL AC ES

IN PLA IN S IG H T ÚW H AT YO U ’ LL S E E Huntington Central Park, the largest city-owned park in the county, encompasses 343.24 acres. ÚG E T TI N G TH E R E Enter on Edwards Street, Ellis Avenue, Goldenwest Street, Gothard Street, or Slater Avenue. ÚE XP LO R E R C R E D IT Tiia Alcazar @tiia.alcazar ÚB E H I N D TH E S H OT “Coming from Finland, I love how there’s always something blooming in California, no matter the time of year. Central Park in Huntington Beach is a great place for that!” 33°42’18.1”N 118°00’16.7”W

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PEOPLE

PL AC E S

’HOODS

BAYSIDE TREATS There’s something for everyone in the Westcliff area of NEWPORT BEACH. by Jessica Kim

 GOOD TO KNOW

Customers can receive a free 12-ounce coffee with the purchase of a bag of beans at Juliette’s Cafe and Coffee Culture. J U LI E T TE ’ S C A FE A N D C O FFE E C U LT U R E Within its bright, airy, rustic French interior, the new cafe serves classic breakfast and lunch favorites, fun twists on traditional dishes, fresh pastries, and handcrafted specialty coffee and tea beverages. Juliette Chung and John Hughes, former owners of The Filling Station Cafe and the shuttered Juliette’s Kitchen, opened this spot in August. Everything is made in house, and a pollution control unit and electric Bellwether roaster minimize its ecological footprint. 1501 WESTCLIFF DRIVE, 714-735-0523 30

ORANG E C OA S T | January 2024

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S H O K U H PATI S S E R I E Open since 2021, the familyowned bakery brings gorgeous French pastries to the community. A colorful array of delicate viennoiseries and desserts are neatly lined inside a countertop glass display case, ready to pair with freshly brewed coffee and tea drinks. The shop’s croissants are highly rated and come in flavors such as almond ($5.25), chocolate hazelnut ($6), and tiramisu ($7). Chocolates, breakfast items, and custom cakes are also available. 1735 WESTCLIFF DRIVE, 949-287-6017

B E F IT M O D E R N P I L ATE S The BE Fit Modern Pilates “X-Perience” is 45 minutes of high-intensity, low-impact workouts that combine Pilates, cardio, and strength training using the gym’s custom X-Former machines. The full-body workout routines use foundational movements of traditional Pilates, but increase levels of resistance for enhanced strength, flexibility, and mobility. New client specials are offered, as well as a la carte classes and monthly membership options. 1723 WESTCLIFF

E A R TH W I S E P E T The first Earthwise Pet opened in Westminster in 1977. Since then, the franchise has grown to 200 locations nationwide. The shop carries many highquality pet products including a wide range of healthy food options, eco-friendly toys, and natural remedies. Customers can also find grooming services and more. It even has certified pet dietitians and nutrition specialists available to provide consultations on optimal feline and canine nutrition. 1044 IRVINE AVE., 949-922-5741

DRIVE, 949-313-7984 photograph by ANDREW HART

12/5/23 10:54 AM

Discover the unsearchable Discover the forest

Find a trail near you at DiscoverTheForest.org

PL AC E S

P E R F E C T G E TAWAY

SANTA BARBAR A

new year means a chance for a fresh commitment to wellness and rejuvenation. This is just the spot for that sort of getaway, with salt caves, massage treatments, yoga, coffee shops, and relaxing adventures. A stay downtown ensures you’re within an easy walk to everything. The mile-long State Street Promenade, closed to cars, sees plenty of cyclists and folks strolling through boutiques, plus outdoor dining and a farmers market every Tuesday. For those participating in Dry January, try the non-alcoholic label January, available at Potek Winery or Municipal Wines in the Funk Zone. 32

NEIGHBORHOOD GEM

F LOAT C A R E S AWAY

Tucked into the historic Presidio neighborhood, the 24-room Palihouse Santa Barbara emphasizes serenity and elegance with modern twists. A welcoming lobby and gracious patio surrounding a fountain make for ideal places to while away an afternoon with choices of candy or cookies to delight in. Spacious rooms contain sleek lighting, arched entryways, separate soaking tubs, tile floors, soothing colors, fireplaces, and private balconies that might overlook the pool ($425 and up). Complimentary Linus bikes are available to take out on the town.

The courthouse and its grounds make for a lovely respite in the town.

A spot to treat yourself to a massage, facial, and a few hours of relaxation sits just a few steps off State Street. The rooms at Float Luxury Spa are named for things that float—cloud, seagrass, feather, and more. You’ll feel light after a Float Signature Massage incorporating aromatherapy and pressure to release any tension ($140 for 50 minutes). Unwind in front of the fireplace in the indoor lounge or head outside to the secluded courtyard with a fountain, reflecting pool, and gazebo to luxuriate in the breeze.

P H OTO G R A P H BY B L A K E B R O N S TA D

Revive your body and spirit at the American Riviera, just a few hours away. by Alan Gibbons

O R A N G E C O A S T | January 2024

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P H OTO G R A P H BY A N D R EI N A D I A Z , C O U R T E S Y O F O PA L R E S TAU R A N T & B A R ; S A LT C AV E P H OTO G R A P H C O U R T E S Y O F S A LT

PEOPLE

PL AC E S

P E R F E C T G E TAWAY

TIP FROM A LOCAL

“I send a lot of people to the courthouse after wine tasting. It’s so pretty with the fountains and the gardens and the historic architecture to just walk around.”

P H OTO G R A P H BY A N D R EI N A D I A Z , C O U R T E S Y O F O PA L R E S TAU R A N T & B A R ; S A LT C AV E P H OTO G R A P H C O U R T E S Y O F S A LT

P H OTO G R A P H BY B L A K E B R O N S TA D

— H E AT H E R B O W E R , S A N TA B A R B A R A R E S I D E N T A N D H O S T AT J A M I E S L O N E W I N E S

LO C A L H I D E O U T

Head to the Arts District to have dinner at Opal Restaurant & Bar. For more than 20 years, the owners and chef have created a warm, easy-going atmosphere filled with friendly locals and intrigued tourists. An outdoor patio beckons if the weather cooperates, while the bar seems the place for good conversation and company on any given night. An extensive menu offers wood-fired pizzas, pastas, seafood, fish, and vegetarian options, plus nightly specials. Don’t miss the fantastic shredded-phyllowrapped tiger prawns ($17.95). The dish was originally created for a Julia Child event, and so many attendees loved it and came in asking for it later that it’s now a permanent highlight on the menu. ICONIC CUISINE

Paying tribute to the restaurant that originally opened in this space in 1940, La Paloma Cafe at the corner of Anacapa and Ortega streets delivers traditional dishes from this region and “the old way of

MARK YOUR C ALENDAR

California cooking.” Executive chef Jeremy Tummel has deep roots in Santa Barbara as a third-generation native, and the food captures that spirit. Don’t miss the oak-seared bluefin tuna with avocado-serrano sauce, pickled beets, and anchovy oil ($18.95). Pair your dish with one of seven margaritas such as the Bird of Paradise that includes passion fruit and agave ($15) or the blood orange zero-proof margarita ($7). Be sure to check out the historic mural above the bar. C OZ Y S I P P I N G

For a chance to unwind in a historic building with traditional Spanish colonial architecture, stop by the Jamie Slone Wines tasting room. Open-beam ceilings, a cozy fireplace, and knowledgeable staff will ensure your time at the casual venue is well spent. The familyowned winery sources grapes from all over Santa Barbara County and the Santa Rita Hills. Choose from two flights (five wines for $30, six wines for $40), or have one of the zero-proof cocktails.

R E N E W YO U

Whether you’re a longtime yogi or just want a spot to stretch for an hour, Yoga Soup has a class to suit your needs. Two large studios offer plenty of classes to choose from so you can let go of your stress, at least for a while ($25 drop-in). There’s also a shop with books, candles, incense, yoga accessories, and more. Then head to Salt on State Street to sit in the largest Himalayan salt cave in North America. Breathing the salt air is said to offer therapeutic benefits, but you can also lie on the salt floor to get it on your skin. Sessions last 45 minutes and start every hour ($25).

LEFT: Local favorite shreddedphyllo-wrapped tiger prawns at Opal Restaurant & Bar RIGHT: Get therapeutic benefits from being in a salt cave at Salt.

WA LK TH R O U G H H I ST O RY

One of the most beautiful of the California missions, Old Mission Santa Barbara stands above the city and serves as a point of reference for locals and tourists. Take a stroll around the property, even if you don’t go into the mission itself. The rose garden alone is worth a visit and the views from all over the grounds are picture-perfect.

Jan. 19 Lewis Black Live: The Grammy-winning stand-up comic who was the voice of Anger in “Inside Out” brings his hilarious and insightful rants to the Lobero Theatre. lobero.org

January 2024 | O R A N G E C O A S T

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C U LT U R E P H IL E

WISHES UPON STARS In her new graphic novel, Irvine-based author and illustrator Susie Yi tells the story of a Korean American teenager’s journey of self-discovery. by Grace Murray

nown for her “Cat & Cat Adventures” series, Yi pivoted to storytelling after earning an undergraduate degree in molecular and cellular biology from Harvard University and a masters in computer science from the University in Chicago, working for years in healthcare and tech. In “A Sky of Paper Stars,” Yi introduces young readers to Yuna, a middle schooler struggling to find a sense of belonging. As she watches friends experience traditional American teenage milestones like sleepovers and summer camp, she feels left out. Yuna leans on the legends her beloved grandmother taught her to find her way, stumbling through heartbreaking realizations in the process. What was the inspiration behind the book? ¼Deep down, I’ve always wanted to tell very personal stories. In all my work, the common thread is that I want to be able to tell stories that give people the ability to see their own emotions. The core of “A Sky of Paper Stars” came from a personal story based off my parents’ experiences immigrating to the United States and kind of the dichotomy of living here but having your entire family be in Korea. So it’s like, where is home? Where do you belong? Because the sense of wanting to belong is universal. How much of the novel is based on your life? ¼I incorporate a lot of my memories and my parents’ memories into the book. I didn’t want it to be a story 34

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that’s just like, this is what all Asian Americans are going through or all children of immigrants are going through. You can feel like you don’t belong in a lot of different ways. Maybe you feel kind of left out at school or maybe you don’t feel like you belong at home. Whatever it is, everybody kind of goes through this feeling where you’re trying to find yourself in the spaces that you’re in. Especially for young readers. I think that’s heightened when you’re in middle school and high school. Why did you call the book “A Sky of Paper Stars”? ¼The original title was actually “Paper Girl.” One big theme is this idea of paper representing fragility and eventually that changing for Yuna and for the reader.

I came up with the idea of paper stars based on real life. I would go home to Korea every single year to visit my grandparents on both sides. In my grandmother’s home, there used to be this giant jar of paper stars. Every single star would genuinely sparkle in the light. It just looked so magical to me growing up. There’s this magical element of those paper stars representing

Yuna’s desire to hope. What message would you give people trying to find a sense of belonging? ¼Everybody is on this journey to find themselves. I hope that when people read this book, they feel like there is hope in making wishes. But also (I would say) have the strength to be able to make those wishes come true yourself. photograph by SCOTT SMELTZER

12/5/23 10:56 AM

Los Angeles Magazine Presents

NEW YEAR, NEW FINANCIAL GOALS The start of another year is an excellent moment to take stock of your short-term and long-term planning. | By Jennifer Kim

very January, many of us make New Year’s resolutions. Often, these focus on shedding habits that we perceive to be harmful to ourselves or to the well-being of family and loved ones. But in addition to subtraction, New Year’s resolutions can also be about adding positive changes to your life. One proactive New Year’s strategy is to re-evaluate your financial planning to make sure it meets your needs both for the coming year and for the years to come. Here’s why: Since life can change suddenly, goals also need change to anticipate the future and retirement goals that have been met. It's important to recognize that we do not have to be afraid of letting go of the past and instead should challenge ourselves with these new goals going forward. Goals are valuable as we can measure them and feel good when we achieve them. One way to set up new financial resolutions is to break them into smaller pieces, and then classify them as short-term and longterm goals. Short-term goals may include accumulating funds to buy real estate, a car, or pay for tuition, while long-term objectives can focus on saving money for retirement, wealth accumulation, and estate planning. It is important to identify longterm goals that align with and enhance what you want to do with your life, and where you envision yourself 10 years or more in the future.

Financial resolutions differ depending on what stage of life you currently occupy, but some common ones include: 1. Career - how far up the ladder you are currently, and where you plan to be later 2. Personal finances - having enough money to live comfortably now without imperiling your financial stability in the future. 3. Travel and leisure – making a priority to set aside funds to finance quality time away from work to rest and rejuvenate. Nevertheless, it’s estimated that 80 percent of New Year’s resolutions fail by the end of February. Strategies to keep your resolutions on track include: 1. The more specific the goals, the better. 2. Each should be measurable. It’s easier to determine if you are hitting your goals if you can evaluate their progress objectively. 3. Ensure that the goals are achievable and realistic, and that each is personalized and relevant to your life and circumstances. 4. Set a deadline for each goal, which will help keep you focused and accountable. Finally, you don’t have to wait for another year to roll around to make changes to your financial planning. If an opportunity manifests itself mid-year, or at any time, consider it carefully, and if it checks a box in either your short-term or long-term goals, consider adding it to your financial life strategies. In the meantime, Happy New Year! Jennifer Kim is a Managing Senior Partner at Signature Estate & Investment Advisors.

Signature Estate & Investment Advisors, LLC (SEIA) is an SEC-registered investment adviser; however, such registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training and no inference to the contrary should be made. Securities offered through Signature Estate Securities, Inc. member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advisory services offered through SEIA, LLC, 2121 Avenue of the Stars, Suite 1600, Los Angeles, CA 90067, (310) 712-2323. CA Insurance License #0B11807. For additional disclosure information please visit our website at: www.seia.com/legal-disclaimer

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CalOptima Health Insures CalOptima Health Insures 975,000 940,000OC OCResidents Residents

CalOptima Health Insures 940,000 OC Residents

CalOptima Health provides health insurance Orange County’s mostto Orange By its very nature, CalOptima Health cares. Weto provide health insurance vulnerable, low-income residents. CalOptima Health serves nearly one in three County’s most vulnerable, low-income residents. CalOptima Health serves more residents —ina four major portion—of the community. than one residents a major portion of the community. In operation forthe more than years,CalOptima CalOptima Health In operation for past 2827 years, Health is now focused on growth and innovation, launching is now focused on growth and innovation, launching specialized efforts to deepen our commitment to caring. By Here its very nature, CalOptima Health cares. We provide health insurance to Orange specialized efforts torecent deepen our commitment are just a few examples of impactful activities. to caring. Here are just a few recentlow-income examples of residents. CalOptima Health serves more County’s most vulnerable, Preventing Cancer impactful activities. than one in four residents — a major portion of the community. Cancer can be devastating, and CalOptima Health cares about preventing members from facing the worst of the Preventing Cancer disease. This we announced a $50.1 million effort In operation for month, more than 27 years, CalOptima Health aimed at reducing the incidence of late-stage breast, Cancer can beon devastating, CalOptima Health is now focused growth and and innovation, launching cervical,efforts colon and certainour lungcommitment cancers. The to goal is to have specialized to deepen caring. cares about preventing members from facing the Orange County lead the examples nation with the lowest rates of Here are just a few recent of impactful activities. worst of cancers, the disease. 2024, we are embarking on a these whichIn are relatively easy to detect and are treatable when found in the early stages. $50.1 million effort aimed at reducing the incidence Preventing Cancer

of late-stage colon andHealth certain lung Cancer can bebreast, devastating, and CalOptima cares Building Foodcervical, Security cancers. The goal is to have Orange County lead the about preventing members from facing the worst of the Food is health, and we care that our members have access disease. This month, we announced a $50.1 million effort nation with the lowest rates ofCalOptima these cancers, to healthy choices. Since April, Healthwhich has aimed at working reducing the incidence of breast, been with County of late-stage Orange Social Services are relatively easy tothe detect and are treatable when cervical, colon and certain lung cancers. The goal is to have found in the early stages. Orange County lead the nation with the lowest rates of these cancers, which are relatively easy to detect and are

Building Food treatable when foundSecurity in the early stages.

Food is health, andSecurity we care that our members Building Food have access to healthy choices. For the past year, Food is health, and we care that our members have access CalOptima HealthSince has been thehas County to healthy choices. April, working CalOptimawith Health of Orange Social Services Agency to encourage been working with the County of Orange Social Services

Mission Viejo-based Celebrating Life Community Health Center cares Life for the underserved. Mission Viejo-based Celebrating Community

Health Center cares for the underserved.

Boosting Community Health Centers

Boosting Community Health Centers In March, CalOptima Health awarded $50 million in a five-

year grant to the Coalition of Orange County Community In 2022, CalOptima Health awarded $50 million in Health Centers to enhance access to care, improve quality aoutcomes five-year grant to thethe Coalition of Orange and strengthen infrastructure of theCounty health care safety netHealth system across theto county. Community Centers enhance access to care, quality outcomes strengthen the Mission improve Viejo-based Celebrating Life Community Healthand Center cares for the underserved. Expanding Homeless Health Services infrastructure of the health care safety net system Caring and compassion blend with innovation and Boosting Community Health Centers across the county. determination when it comes to CalOptima Health’s efforts

In Health awardedhomelessness. $50 million inThis a fiveinMarch, servingCalOptima our members experiencing year to the Coalition Orange Community year,grant we launched services of designed toCounty support Medi-Cal Expanding Homeless Health Services members in becoming housed. In 2023, we improve will roll out Health Centers to enhance access to care, quality Caring and blend with innovation and Orange County’s first streetthe medicine program meet outcomes andcompassion strengthen infrastructure oftothe health members where they are, building relationships and trust determination when it comes to CalOptima Health’s care safety net system across the county. while delivering urgent in the community. efforts in serving ourcare members experiencing

Expanding Homeless Health Services homelessness. ThisChildren’s past year, weMental launched a variety Strengthening Health Caring and compassion blend with innovation and CalOptima Health members attend a community event about CalFresh.

Agency to encourage enrollment in CalFresh, California’s program offering food assistance to low-income people. A multifaceted outreach effort is building awareness about the importance of food security, and nearly 30,000 CalOptima Health members have gained resources to help prevent hunger and maintain reliable access to food.

of designed to support Medi-Cal members in Theservices pandemic took heavy tolltoon children’s mental health, determination whena it comes CalOptima Health’s efforts and CalOptima Health is partnering with all 29 Orange becoming housed. In April 2023, we rolled out Orange in serving our members experiencing homelessness. This County school to boost access to mental health County’s firstdistricts Street Medicine Program in Garden year, we launched services designed to support Medi-Cal care. Through a state incentive program, up to $25 million members in becoming housed. In 2023, we willwhere roll out Grove, trust and delivering care will fundbuilding behavioral health system improvements and open Orange County’s Based first street medicine program to meet will members on that success, the program the door forare. Medi-Cal reimbursement of services delivered members where they look are, building relationships and trust at school.to Intwo 2023–24, for significant new resources expand more cities in 2024. while delivering urgent care in the community. at schools, putting more counselors, wellness programs, telehealth services, crisis screenings and other programs Strengthening Children’s Health Strengthening Children’sMental Mental Health within reach.

The took a heavy toll on mental health, Thepandemic pandemic took a heavy tollchildren’s on children’s mental and CalOptima Health is partnering with all 29 Orange health, and CalOptima Health is partnering with all County school districts to boost access to mental health CalOptima Health members attend a community event aboutCalFresh. CalFresh. CalOptima Health members attend a community event about 29 Make Orange districts access Employees With Heart aCounty in OC to boost care. Through aDifference state school incentive program, up to $25 million to mental health care. Through a state CalOptima Health California’s is fortunate to have remarkable employees who believe in our mission of service to theincentive vulnerable. Not open will fund behavioral health system improvements and Agency to encourage enrollment in CalFresh, enrollment in CalFresh, California’s program offering only do they demonstrate this through their work but also in their personal donations of time and money in support of the door for Medi-Cal reimbursement of services delivered program offering food assistancepopulations to low-income people. program, up to $25 million will fund behavioral food assistance to low-incomebuilding people.inawareness Aneed. multifaceted at school. In 2023–24, look for significant new resources A multifaceted outreach effort is Member health system improvements and open the door for Scholarships: CalOptima Health offers an annual member scholarship contest. Employees make personal outreach effort is building the at schools, putting more counselors, wellness programs, about the importance of food awareness security, and nearly 30,000to members donations to about award scholarships pursuing college degrees in a health or social services field. The 2022 Medi-Cal reimbursement of services delivered at contest wasresources our biggest a total of $9,000 awarded to six students. importance of food security, and thousands ofever, telehealth services, crisis screenings and other programs CalOptima Health members have gained to with help school. In 2023–24, look for significant new resources Community Donations: CalOptima Health employees run frequent donation drives, such as for holiday gifts for children within reach. prevent hunger and members maintain reliable access to food. CalOptima Health have gained resources and seniors or diapers for young families. This holiday season, elementary school children at the Boys & Girls Clubs of at schools, putting more counselors, wellness Garden Grovereliable will receive barrels full of new toys, provided with kindness by CalOptima Health staff. to help prevent hunger and maintain access programs, telehealth services, crisis are screenings and Volunteerism: When a community organization needs helping hands, CalOptima Health employees ready to lend lots to food. of them. We have cooked dinners at Ronald McDonald House, worked to help organize fundraising walks and volunteered other programs within reach. to staff charity events. Somehow, our staff finds ways to give just a little more of their day to serve people in need.

Employees With Heart Make a Difference in OC

CalOptima Health is fortunate to have remarkable employees who believe in our mission of service to the vulnerable. Not only do they demonstrate this through their work but also in their personal donations of time and money in support of populations in need. Member Scholarships: CalOptima Health offers an annual member scholarship contest. Employees make personal donations to award scholarships to members pursuing college degrees in a health or social services field. The 2022 contest was our biggest ever, with a total of $9,000 awarded to six students. SprdAd16x10.5 2.indd 2

Community Donations: CalOptima Health employees run frequent donation drives, such as for holiday gifts for children 11/22/23 6:37 AM

Your Health Is Everything to Us

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Focused on healthy futures Access to Care

Support Services

Whole Person Health

As the largest health plan in Orange County, we know healthy futures depend on more than medical care. No matter your age, life circumstances aff ect health. We remove barriers that hold health back, supporting members in need with access to preventive care, housing services, food security and much more. Because your health is everything to us.

caloptima.org CalOptima Health, A Public Agency

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11/22/23 6:38 AM

PEOPLE

PL AC E S

EVENTS

JA N . 17 STEP AFRIK A! Founded in 1994, the Step Afrika! dance troupe was the first in the world to focus on the tradition of stepping. Its shows blend traditional African dances, dance styles performed by historically African American fraternities and sororities, and contemporary movement. Songs and storytelling are woven into the show; the audience is encouraged to clap, stomp, cheer, and participate in call and response. Irvine Barclay Theatre, 4242 Campus Drive, Irvine, 949-8544646, thebarclay.org

sionism in the late 1950s and began painting in a more figurative style, Wonner and Brown met and fell in love while they were students at UC Berkeley. Contemporaries of Richard Diebenkorn and David Park, they painted still-lifes, landscapes, and figures with the techniques of abstract expressionism. Laguna Art Museum, 307 Cliff Drive, Laguna Beach, 949-494-8971, lagunaartmuseum.org

DON ’ T MI SS IN JANUARY “Ain’t Misbehavin’,” Gershwin, dance, and more by Robin Jones JA N . 1 SURF CITY SPLASH Brave swimmers plunge into the Pacific Ocean during the annual fundraiser for the Huntington Beach International Surfing Museum. The morning starts with breakfast from Zack’s and a ceremonial blowing of the Pū (Hawaiian conch shell); costume contest judging happens right before the participants rush into the 38

ocean at noon. Zack’s Pier Plaza, 405 E. Pacific Coast Highway, Huntington Beach, surfcityusa.com T H R O U G H JA N . 7 “BREAKING THE RULES: PAUL WONNER AND THEOPHILUS BROWN” Part of a group of Bay Area-based artists who turned away from abstract expres-

JA N . 11 T H R O U G H 16 THE SURVIVOR LENS: FOCUSING ON FREEDOM AS SURVIVORS DEFINE IT Presented in partnership with the Orange County Museum of Art, EverFree’s Survivor Lens Art Tour features photography and poetry created by survivors of human trafficking in Uganda, the Philippines, and the U.S. To commemorate Human Trafficking Awareness Month in January, The Survivor Lens will launch on Jan. 11— National Human Trafficking Awareness Day—and run for one week. Orange County Museum of Art, 3333 Avenue of the Arts, Costa Mesa, 714-780-2130, ocma.art

P H OTO G R A P H C O U R T E S Y O F I RV I N E B A R C L AY T H E AT R E

JA N . 11 A CONVERSATION WITH ANNE LAMOTT Author and essayist Anne Lamott has written seven novels, multiple essay collections, and several works of nonfiction. She might be most famous for “Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life,” her treatise on writing. In a moderated conversation, she’ll explore the subjects that frequently show up in her work: motherhood, religion, alcoholism, writing, and the mysteries of life. Irvine Barclay Theatre, 4242 Campus Drive, Irvine, 949854-4646, thebarclay.org

O R A N G E C O A S T | January 2024

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PEOPLE

PL AC E S

EVENTS

JA N . 11 T H R O U G H 13 TCHAIKOVSKY’S VIOLIN CONCERTO The Pacific Symphony welcomes violinist Paul Huang for a performance of Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto. The program for the concert also includes Bartók’s Concerto for Orchestra and a piece by Narong Prangcharoen. Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, 615 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, 714-755-5788, pacificsymphony.org McLorin Salvant is known for integrating vaudeville, blues, baroque music, and folk traditions in her own original compositions and her interpretations of jazz standards. She won the Thelonious Monk competition in 2010 and has since released five albums. She’ll sing selections from her most recent release, “Ghost Song.” Samueli Theater, 615 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, 714-556-2787, scfta.org JA N . 21

JA N . 18 T H R O U G H 28 “GEORGE GERSHWIN ALONE” Hershey Felder’s one-man show dives into the life of American composer and pianist George Gershwin, who, before his death at age 38, wrote more than 1,000 songs, many of which are now essential entries in the American songbook. Felder performs songs “Rhapsody in Blue,” Someone to Watch Over Me,” and “Summertime” while telling Gershwin’s story. South Coast Repertory, 655 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, 714-708-5555, scr.org

O P EN S JA N . 12

ROYAL PHILHARMONIC WITH ISATA K ANNEH-MASON Pianist Isata Kanneh-Mason’s critically acclaimed debut album featured the songs of composer Clara Wieck Schumann, and she’ll play Schumann’s Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 7 here before joining the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra for Rachmaninov’s Symphony No. 2. Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, 615 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, 949-553-2422, philharmonicsociety.org

“MADELINE’S TREASURES: SELECTIONS FROM THE JAMES IRVINE SWINDEN FAMILY COLLECTION” James Irvine Swinden curated the exhibit from the collection of contemporary plein air paintings that he and his late wife, Madeline Martin Swinden, amassed while attending California plein air invitationals. The show represents the first time the works will be shown to the public. Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens, 415 Avenida Granada, San Clemente, 949498-2139, casaromantica.org

JA N . 19

JA N . 20 CÉCILE MCLORIN SALVANT Grammy-winning jazz vocalist Cécile

O P EN S JA N . 24 “AIN’T MISBEHAVIN’” This Tony and Drama Desk Awardwinning show tells the story of Thomas “Fats” Waller, the impresario and jazz pianist who helped create American swing. Dipping in and out of 1930s Harlem nightclubs like the Cotton Club and the Savoy Ballroom, the musical features songs like “I’m Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter,” “I Can’t Give You Anything But Love,” and, of course, “Ain’t Misbehavin’.” Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, 949-497-2787, lagunaplayhouse.com JA N . 26 AMY HANAIALI’I: PALEHUA 25TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR Amy Hanaiali’i has won almost every top Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award—Hawaii’s version of the Grammys—from Song of the Year to Female Vocalist of the Year to Hawaiian Album of the year. The concert celebrates the 25th anniversary of the re-

P H OTO G R A P H BY M A R C O B O R G G R E V E , C O U R T E S Y O F PAU L H UA N G

JA N . 11 TH R O U G H 13 HOPELESSLY DEVOTED: THE MUSIC OF OLIVIA NEWTON- JOHN A group of Broadway veterans salute the work of Olivia Newton-John. Jessica Hendy (“CATS”), Kelli Rabke (“Les Miserables”), David Burnham (“Wicked”), Blaine Krauss (“Hamilton”), and Scott Coulter (a favorite of the New York City cabaret scene) will perform their favorite songs from Newton-John’s catalogue, accompanied by John Boswell on the piano. Samueli Theater, 615 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, 714-556-2787, scfta.org

TRIO BARCLAY: RAVEL’S PIANO TRIO Violinist Dennis Kim, cellist Jonah Kim, and pianist Sean Kennard make up the Irvine Barclay Theatre ensemble-inresidence. In their second show of the season, they’ll perform Mendelssohn’s Piano Trio No.1, an early piece that displays his distinctive style. The world premiere of John Wineglass’s new piece, “An American Soundscape,” rounds out the program. Irvine Barclay Theatre, 4242 Campus Drive, Irvine, 949-854-4646, thebarclay.org

O R A N G E C O A S T | January 2024

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12/6/23 12:25 PM

PEOPLE

PL AC E S

EVENTS

JA N . 20 ALONZO KING LINES BALLET The critically acclaimed contemporary dance troupe presents highlights from its repertoire. The company is known for collaborating with blues, pop, and jazz musicians such as Gregory Porter and South African singer-songwriter Miriam Makeba, and for its choreography, which aims to convey a range of emotions, from joy to complacency, elation to sorrow. Segerstrom Center for the Arts, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, 714556-2787, scfta.org

lease of “Pālehua,” a melody inspired by a mountain on Oahu that’s one of the most beloved songs in Hawaii. Irvine Barclay Theatre, 4242 Campus Drive, Irvine, 949854-4646, thebarclay.org O P EN S JA N . 26 “HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH” Played in the form of a rock show mixed with a stand-up comedy routine, the Tony and Drama Desk Award-winning musical features East German singer Hedwig Schmidt, a would-be rock star

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PEOPLE who suffered a botched sex-change operation. Backed by her band The Angry Inch, she tells her story through songs and monologues. Chance Theater, 5522 E. La Palma Ave., Anaheim, 714-777-3033, chancetheater.com JA N . 26 CAMILLE A. BROWN & DANCERS: “INK” Dancer and choreographer Camille A. Brown presents the final installment in her trilogy on Black identity with a blend of African American social dance, tap, jazz, hip-hop, and modern and African dance. A former member of Ronald K. Brown’s Evidence, she choreographed Broadway shows “Choir Boy” and “Once on This Island” and has served as a guest artist with Rennie Harris’s Puremovement and the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. Musco Center for the Arts, One University Drive, Orange, 844-626-8726, muscocenter.org JA N . 26 A N D 27

P H OTO G R A P H C O U R T E S Y O F S EG ER S T R O M C EN T ER FO R T H E A R T S

WITTE LECTURE: FIONA HILL In a lecture titled “Currents of Modern History: A Personal and Global Perspective,” Hill will expound on global affairs, drawing on her experience as deputy as-

sistant to the president and senior director for European and Russian affairs on the U.S. National Security Council and as national intelligence officer for Russia and Eurasia at the National Intelligence Council. Hill is a senior fellow in the Center on the United States and Europe in the Foreign Policy program at Brookings Institute. Newport Beach Public Library, 1000 Avocado Ave., Newport Beach, 949-5482411, nbplf.foundation R EO P EN S JA N . 27 “SACRED REALMS: TEMPLE MURALS BY SHASHI DHOJ TULACHAN FROM THE GAYLE AND EDWARD P. ROSKI COLLECTION” Consisting of nine immense paintings by one Buddhist monk, Shashi Dhoj Tulachan, the exhibit highlights the practice of thangka painting, or highly detailed artwork featuring deities and mythologies that are created to help monks teach the tenets of Buddhism. Although thangka paintings are typically small enough that they can be rolled up and easily transported, the ones here are about the size of murals found in monasteries. Bowers Museum, 2002 N. Main St., Santa Ana, 714567-3600, bowers.org

PL AC E S

EVENTS

JA N . 28 JEREMY DENK Classical pianist Denk, winner of the MacArthur Genius Fellowship and the Avery Fisher Prize, continues to explore Book 1 of Bach’s “Well Tempered Clavier” in concert. A sought-after musician who has performed with the New York Philharmonic, Chicago Symphony, and Los Angeles Philharmonic, Denk also wrote a memoir, “Every Good Boy Does Fine,” which landed on the New York Times bestseller list. Soka Performing Arts Center, 1 University Drive, Aliso Viejo, 949480-4278, soka.edu JA N . 28 HERB ALPERT & LANI HALL With 11 Grammy Awards between them, married musicians Alpert and Hall bring their distinctive sound to Orange County with a program of jazz, Brazilian rhythms, and tunes from the American songbook. Alpert played the trumpet with Tijuana Brass, while Hall was the original vocalist with Sergio Mendes and Brasil ’66. Musco Center for the Arts, One University Drive, Orange, 844-626-8726, muscocenter.org

A L Z HE IM E R’S ORANG E COUNT Y THANKS THE

A RGYROS FAMILY A huge thank you to Julia and George Argyros, Lisa Argyros and Stephanie Argyros for the amazing gift of $2,000,000 presented at the Alzheimer’s Orange County Gala! We are deeply grateful for this transformational gift.

January 2024 | O R A N G E C O A S T Half_Horiz_Ad.indd 1

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Alonzo King LINES

Ballet

January 20 • 7:30 pm

Segerstrom Center Presents

“

Alonzo King is one of the few Madeline DeVries and Shuaib ElHassan - Photo by RJ Muna

bona fide visionaries in the ballet world today.” San Francisco Chronicle

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POSITIV E E N E R GY ÚTH E F I N D Female artisans in Tunisia create the Hamsa ceramic plate and serving set ($79.95) by hand for Santa Ana-based Kamsah. ÚG O O D TO K N OW The open-hand shape, known as the Hamsa symbol, represents good fortune, blessings, faith, and strength. ÚW H E R E kamsah.com photograph by SCOTT SMELTZER

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January 2024 | O R A N G E C O A S T

12/5/23 11:17 AM

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HOT SHOP

MIEL The women’s boutique will celebrate a decade in business this year. by Chelsea Raineri

rvine’s Sarah Choi was working as a handbag designer for Guess and producing and selling clothes to boutiques in 2014 when two of her former classmates from Parsons School of Design asked if she would like to buy their Costa Mesa clothing shop, Miel. Choi purchased the business the next year and opened a second location in Mission Viejo in 2018 before closing the original store in 2020. The Mission Viejo boutique is 650 square feet, significantly larger than the original spot. “I expanded on the jewelry and handbag side of the business,” Choi says. Find everything from shoes, gift items, and accessories to dresses, pants, and more. Having studied design, Choi prides herself on finding pieces made with quality fabric that also fit well. “I will thoroughly explain the fit to you and will tell you whether or not you will like something once you get home,” Choi says. “I want you to look pretty and confident—I’m not just here to take your money.” Miel customers can also request Choi’s complimentary styling services. “I just need five to 10 minutes with you, and I’ll know what to show you each time you come in,” Choi says. Customers can attend pop-ups at the boutique as well as schedule private parties at the store or at home.

27741 Crown Valley Parkway Mission Viejo 714-315-4130 mielboutique.com

B UT TO N E D U P

TOP OF M IND

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Classique Laurent jacket, $135

Lane fedora, $64

Bonjour turtleneck, $64 Isabella sequin skirt, $65

O R A N G E C O A S T | January 2024

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photograph by SCOTT SMELTZER

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gae tanoi nc . c om 714.536.6942 CUSTOM INSTALLATION & REFINISHING FAMILY OWNED SINCE 1955 Contractor Credit: Gonterman Construction / Photo Credit: Darleen Halaby

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WINTER FLORALS

Pull out your floral-patterned pieces this season. by Chelsea Raineri

Tilly floral embroidered wool knit hat, $85, Nordstrom, South Coast Plaza, 714-549-8300

Vine rose print silk dress, $6,900, Burberry, South Coast Plaza, 714-556-8110

Ileana Makri 18k white gold deco diamond flower ring, $14,880, A’maree’s, Newport Beach, 949-642-4423

Floral lace and leather shirt dress, $7,600, Louis Vuitton, South Coast Plaza, 714-662-6907

Aqua flower ankle tie high-heeled sandals, $178, Bloomingdale’s, Fashion Island, 949-729-6600

Oscar de la Renta mini flower suede chain crossbody bag, $2,290, Neiman Marcus, Fashion Island, 949-759-1900

O R A N G E C O A S T | January 2024

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innovative design ideas that defy gravity eggersmann since 1908

eggersmann Kitchens | Home Living

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eggersmannusa.com

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We are super excited for customers to enjoy our new protein plates (starting this month). You can get hot honey chicken, which is a chicken thigh that melts in your mouth. We also have our miso-glazed salmon. They’re (each) roasted in olive oil and paired with a double portion of grains.

INGREDIENT TRANSPARENCY …

(Our food is) organic where it can be, and we have “source boards” in every restaurant that tell you exactly what farms we’re sourcing our ingredients from and anything that’s local to O.C. All of our nutrition information is also online and our app makes it simple to track the calorie counts. You can see exactly what makes

up our dressing, so if people are wanting to avoid a certain allergen or ingredient, they can. HIS FAVORITE DISH …

Our chicken pesto parmesan has been my go-to for the last four years. It’s roasted chicken paired with a pesto vinaigrette and a little bit of hot sauce for a kick. But I have to be honest—my order is about to change as soon as we launch our protein plates.

P R O P ER T Y P H OTO G R A P H S BY C H R I S FOX W I T H C U R B A P P E A L V I S UA L S; H E A D S H OT C O U R T E S Y O F S W EE TG R EEN

à 6,234 square feet à 5 bedrooms à 6 bathrooms à Enjoy panoramic views of the hills and city with your meals. à Of note: The kitchen features two islands with Grigio Elegante Honed quartz, a Wolf range, SubZero refrigeration, and a built-in wet bar. à 7663 E. Corto Road à Carole Geronsin, 714-602-3557 and George Geronsin, 714-602-2626

O R A N G E C O A S T | January 2024

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AT HOME W I T H...

JO & ROSE Lyla Moll opened the Huntington Beach home decor boutique in 2023. by Chelsea Raineri

nside Jo & Rose, you’ll find an assortment of products from around the world, including Marimo moss balls from Japan as well as handmade decor and one-of-a-kind furniture. “I try to … move the shop around weekly,” owner Lyla Moll says. “I love for it to feel like a new space every time our regulars walk in.” Check the boutique’s Instagram to find details on upcoming workshops, such as pinched pottery and watercolor painting, where attendees can indulge in a glass of Champagne and appetizers. The shop offers free gift-wrapping services as well.

Why did you choose this location for Jo & Rose? ¼ I live in downtown Huntington Beach, and I never shopped at this center. My daughter got a job at Dusk Boutique (a couple doors down). I thought this center was so beautiful and that it would be a great location if I ever got to open a store. Because I’ve done interior design for 20 years, I shop a ton, so I knew what kind of products I would carry. When this space opened up, my husband and I talked to the building manager. I graduated from Huntington Beach High School in ’86 so just to be able to have a store here is a dream come true. Getting to know the clientele and being part of the community is so special to me. What is the inspiration for the store’s name? ¼ I named it after my daughters, Nina Jo and Georgina Rose. Nina Jo put the cabinets together, and my husband did the countertops—it’s very family owned. Georgina Rose works here; we call her the manager because she’s very business oriented. What can customers expect? ¼ I feel like my heart is in every little corner of it. I only purchase stuff that I would have in my own home. I try to carry different price points for people. I have pieces from France, glasses from Morocco, Mexican dish towels. Whatever resonates with me and touches my heart is what I want to carry. I want customers to feel like it’s special. How did you get started in interior design? ¼ I started many years ago when I was in my mid-20s, and I was really lost. I waitressed downtown at Sugar Shack; I was working at a flower

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Happy New Year from Hi-Time!

Glasses and home decor from Jo & Rose

Champagne isn’t just for New Year’s Eve and Sunday Brunches! Keep the bubbles flowing this month-- come visit our Champagne Room in the cellar and discover all the reasons to enjoy this versatile, food-friendly wine!

Hi-Time Wine Cellars

250 Ogle Street Costa Mesa, CA 92627 949.650.8463 hitimewine.net

shop and at another restaurant down ThirdSquareAd.indd 1 there—I just had all these crazy jobs. I was captivated by Anthropologie’s aesthetics. I got a job there, and the first day I asked if I could dress the mannequins. They said, sure. I learned a ton (and became responsible for the display). Then I fell in love with my husband … and we got married and had babies. I picked up interior design projects here and there. How have you applied what you learned? ¼ When I was merchandising at Anthropologie, it was a lot of storytelling, which is how I (set up) my own store. I start with my main character in the story—for example, a beautiful olive oil and balsamic vinegar from Italy—then I layer other merchandise or characters.

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SO CAN YOU.

714 Adams Ave. Huntington Beach 714-887-9194 joandrose.com January 2024 | O R A N G E C O A S T

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STREAM ON THE FREE PBS APP

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G R A N D E N TR A N CE ÚTH E S C E N E The astounding bar at Rare Society ÚTH E D E TA I L S Walk up the stairs next to the gorgeous space to get to the second-floor dining area and patio at the new steakhouse in San Clemente. ÚTH E P L AC E Rare Society ÚT U R N TH E PAG E for our review. photograph by SCOTT SMELTZER

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R ARE SOC IET Y San Clemente steak house delivers splendor. by Gretchen Kurz

s sunset commences, every booth with a view on the second floor at Rare Society is full, and the green flash energy is high. Buzzed golfers, perfumed gal pals, and in-laws footing the bill are soaking up the opulent mojo of San Clemente’s flashy new steakhouse. Open since May, Rare Society is outpost number five and the first in O.C. for San Diego chef-operator Brad Wise. The scene is vintage Avenida Del Mar on the outside, glitzy Las Vegas on the inside. Red tile meets sleek chandeliers at this pastiche of steakhouse tropes. Brawny cocktails and cosseting service recall Rat Pack sessions at The Sands. American red oak adds the sweet-smoky notes of Santa Maria ranchero-style grilling. Painstaking on-site aging of lavish steaks is a nod to Peter Luger, the classic Brooklyn steakhouse of Wise’s New Jersey youth. The Rare Old-Fashioned is Rare Society’s marquee libation—fat-washed bourbon and bitters complete with giant ice cube and torched rosemary sprig. Signature cocktails also include a top-notch Manhattan with amaro. Wines emphasize West Coast cabernets and global reds. Alas, the by-the-glass offerings are a lean lot of mainstream players. I’m thinking we must be reaching peak Parker House rolls when, for the second time in a week, the yeasty buns headline a new restaurant’s surf-and-turf menu. Our server proves a trustworthy guide when she suggests they’ll pair well with a first round of cocktails—the rolls arrive blazing and burnished brown, glistening with black truffle butter. Good thing they’re too hot to gobble immediately—because there’s much more to come. Like a shareable Caesar salad, heavy on lemony dressing and pungent pecorino, garnished with tempura-fried anchovies. It outperforms the wedge salad that’s weirdly

light on iceberg lettuce but overloaded with soggy toppings. California artichoke is split and oak-grilled—loaded with dried herbs that taste of charred sawdust, but the tender heart is worth digging out for dunking in the creamy chipotle aioli. Small and large towers of chilled premium shellfish heighten the indulgence factor, boasting fresh oysters, clams, shrimp, Dungeness crab, Maine lobster, and tartare of both ahi and salmon. Designed to start a feast, they’re lovely enough to be the feast for non-carnivores. Sure, there’s branzino or King salmon for seafood entrees, but they can’t match plump oysters or cold-water lobster for posh noshing. Don’t be tempted by the crab cake appetizer—it’s tiny and forgettable. Instead, order the steamed littleneck clams in rich broth spiked with chorizo, fennel, and tomato. Devout red meat worshippers who don’t hesitate to kick off a steak dinner with something meaty should consider the supercharged beef tartare with saltand-vinegar chips, or a thick slab of bacon lacquered with zesty gochujang, or perhaps

«« ½

226 Avenida Del Mar San Clemente 949-699-7273 5 BEST DISHES à Parker House rolls à Caesar salad à Wagyu tri tip à Steak boards: Executive or Associate à Butter cake PRICE RANGE Small plates, $19 to $49 Seafood towers, $120 to $174 Steak boards, $129 to $198 Entrees, $36 to $91 FYI: Corkage is $30 with a two-bottle limit.

LEFT: Clockwise from top: iceberg wedge salad, Manhattan cocktail, barbecue dry-aged meatballs, and beef tartare RIGHT: The private dining room has an elegant feel. photographs by SCOTT SMELTZER

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the smoky lamb lollipop jazzed up with seed chimichurri. A duo of lavish steak platters headlines the entrees—both laden with select cuts, expertly grilled to specifications over a live red oak fire. Dry-aged NY strip, dry-aged ribeye, and filet mignon characterize the 50-ounce Executive Board, enough to feed four to six. The Associate Board is 22 ounces of wagyu tri-tip, wagyu Denver, and filet mignon, enough for two to four diners. This board’s wagyu steaks come from Washington state’s acclaimed family-run Snake River Farms. Sliced and arranged on a wooden turntable for easy sharing, boards include three assorted housecrafted sauces—from a vibrant salsa to creamy horseradish to decadent Béarnaise. Superb steaks need no sauce, but I’ll never knock an excess of options. For those who prefer a solo to a symphony of steak, choices abound. For an unalloyed Santa Maria steak experience, head straight for the wagyu tri-tip—eight ounces of next-

Butter cake with sour cream ice cream

level medium rare pleasure. Dry-aged steaks include a hefty bone-in ribeye and NY strip. Of the many sides, miso-glazed carrots offer a novel take on umami vegetables, garlicky roasted mushrooms are reliably savory, and brawny ricotta ravioli is best for big appetites. Skip the watery truffled cream spinach and instead go green with roasted asparagus with chopped egg vinaigrette.

How nice that desserts are made in-house. Clearly, Wise and team appreciate that their customers are often in splurge mode. Of three sampled, the Snickers-inspired tart and the not over-sweet butter cake with house-churned sour cream ice cream are standouts. Service varies. One visit, our server is warm, polished, and anticipatory. The next visit’s server ignores simple requests and rushes the pace. Nearterm reservations can be tricky given Rare Society’s hours—5 to 9 p.m. and closed Mondays. To increase your odds, shoot for early slots at the bar or on the ground floor patio. Parking is on the street or in the small lot out back. Nothing says special occasion like a ferociously sizzling steak delivered with a sharp knife and a smile. And now that affordable steaks are a fading memory, Rare Society sees a future in doubling down on grandeur, hoping to be the luxury default for steak dining in downtown San Clemente.

High end brands 40% below retail Design Studio Home Furnishings 23451 Avenida De La Carlota, Suite C Laguna Hills, CA 92653 DesignStudioStaging@msn.com 949-586-8881

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5 QUESTIONS WITH...

EDDIE HYMAN

Hyman launched his culinary career at his uncle’s Caribbean restaurant in L.A., became fascinated with bread and fresh pasta at Pasea in Huntington Beach, and is now executive chef at The Country Club in Costa Mesa. by Benjamin Epstein CAN YOU DESCRIBE THE COUNTRY CLUB?

A party in a restaurant! Really good food in a comfortable atmosphere. It can get super loud. ... My days off are quiet. My wife and I might nerd out with our 3-year-old at the tide pools in Laguna. WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE NEW ITEM?

The red zhug—a Yemeni hot sauce we make from Fresno and red bell peppers. You char them, you blitz them, you add your cumin, nutmeg, cloves. It has a big kick; it really opens up your palate. My heritage is Jamaican; I gravitate toward spices. WHERE’D YOU LEARN TO COOK?

A lot from my mom, but really from my whole family. You go to your uncle or aunt’s house, and you’re not allowed in the kitchen unless you’re pitching in. Starting around (age) 6, I was in the mix, whether it was setting the table or getting the live crabs into the sink without getting nicked. ANY SECRET TALENTS?

I’m a martial artist. Muay Thai, kickboxing … I am at the pro level and competed, but never for money. DO YOU HAVE A MOTTO?

“Each one, teach one.” Whatever you know, pass it along, help the other person get further than you are.

Corona del Mar

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P H OTO G R A P H BY A L A N G I B B O N S

THINGS WE LOV E

Get savory buttermilk chive and Gruyere biscuits to bake at home plus infused honey to accompany them from chef Jessica Roy at 60 8 DA H LI A . Order your favorites and pick them up from the restaurant at Sherman Library & Gardens. More to-go items will be available this month, and they make lovely gifts (biscuits, $23; honey, $30). 608dahlia.com

photograph by SCOTT SMELTZER

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FOOD TRENDS

C HOIC EST C HOIC ES It’s all about options at these high-end steak spots. by Benjamin Epstein

The menu at new SET STEAK & SUSHI at the

Pendry Newport Beach centers on two chef’s-choice “perfect sets,” reflecting the two sides of the name’s ampersand. For the steak set ($155), intended for sharing, chef James Jung most often presents three Kansas classics—a filet and a bavette, both Prime, and a bone-in New York— plus three sauces, a huge marrow-filled bone, and guests’ “choice of weapons,” i.e., super-stylish knives. Nearly a dozen a la carte cuts include the larger 24-ounce Holstein bonein rib steak and whopping 40-ounce Australian wagyu tomahawk. 690 Newport

Center Drive, Newport Beach, 949-688-8005

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Steak boards—chef’s selection of several cuts with matching sauces plus accoutrements—at gilded new RARE SOCIETY come in two versions. The Associate board ($125) focuses on wagyu steaks such as the Denver and tritip from Idaho’s Snake River Farms; the Executive ($198) features dry-aged steaks such as the 40-day-aged, 20-ounce, bone-in New York strip. Both include the Premium Choice filet mignon. The menu offers a half-dozen cuts in all. The 16-ounce Prime bulls-eye ribeye from Arizona’s Cedar River Farms is owner-chef Brad Wise’s favorite— “perfect from end to end.” 226 Avenida Del Mar, San Clemente, 949-669-7273

At the Waldorf-Astoria Monarch Beach, Michael Mina’s BOURBON STEAK divides its beef offerings into five each of Angus and wagyu. Star of the former is a 28-ounce Prime Black Angus porterhouse; you can enhance it with a horseradish crust or any of several king crab renditions. From Idaho: wagyu eye of the ribeye. From Japan: insanely marbled Hokkaido A5 wagyu, $46 per ounce with a 3-ounce minimum, and the 16-ounce Mishima Reserve Delmonico. Chef Christopher Sanchez suggests not topping those with anything! 1 Monarch Beach Resort N., Dana Point, 949-234-3900

MASTRO’S STEAKHOUSE

was the trendsetter here— the special-occasion favorite opened nearly two decades ago. Among the options, filets come in three sizes as well as bone-in. More massive: the 18-ounce bone-in Kansas City strip, 24-ounce porterhouse, and 32- and 40-ounce domestic wagyu tomahawk chops. More coveted: Japanese A5 wagyu—including New York cuts from Miyazaki Prefecture—and legendarily delicate A5 Kobe beef from Tajima cattle in the Hyogo Prefecture, often touted as “the most exclusive beef in the world,” priced at $60 per ounce with a 4-ounce minimum. 633 Anton Blvd.,

Costa Mesa, 714-546-7405

photograph by SCOTT SMELTZER

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P H OTO G R A P H S C O U R T E S Y O F C RYS TA L C OV E C O N S ERVA N C Y

Crystal Cove Conservancy held its 21st annual Soiree, raising $710,000 in support of The Conservancy’s STEM education programs that bring more than 10,000 students to Crystal Cove each year. The blufftop event at Crystal Cove State Park welcomed more than 250 guests, including California State Parks Director Armando Quintero.

1. Crystal Cove Conservancy’s 21st annual Soirée 2. Crystal Cove Conservancy board members 3. Director of California State Parks Armando Quintero, Magnus Egerstedt, and Danielle Hanson 4. The sunset added a perfect background. 5. Amy Serrano Music provided entertainment.

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CureDuchenne and Vintner Chair Melka Estates hosted the Ninth Annual Napa in Newport at the Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach Resort in Dana Point, raising more than $1.3 million to find and fund a cure for Duchenne muscular dystrophy. About 400 guests and 44 Napa Valley vintners joined to fund research. Napa in Newport will mark its 10th anniversay on April 20 at The Pendry Newport Beach.

1. Jeff Goffman, Debra Miller, and Paul Miller 2. Lauren Wong and South Coasat Plaza’s director of community relations Stephanie Rogers 3. Melanie Sanford, Hudson Sanford, and Phillip Sanford 4. Ellie Hamoud and Julian Hamoud 5. Hawken Miller

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NIGHT OF HOPE

Community Action Partnership of Orange County’s (CAP OC) gala, “A Night of Hope,” took place at Lakeshore Irvine in October. More than $90,000 was raised to address poverty by meeting immediate needs and offering services and programs. “We believe in giving hope to others, and it’s because of the generosity of our community that Community Action Partnership of Orange County is able to create transformational programs that empower people to rise out of poverty,” said CAP OC president Gregory C. Scott.

1. Asia Scott holds her bid card. 2. CAP OC president Gregory C. Scott 3. Kelly Bruno-Nelson, Deanne Thompson, and Hieu Nguyen 4. Board members Lou Cabello, Vanessa Cabello, Ann Mino, and Josh Mino pose for a photo. 5. A dancer from Grupo Folklorico Xochipitzahuatl performs.

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3 1. OCCF’s executive team: Shelley Hoss, Tracy Branson, Tammy Tumbling, and Cathleen Otero 2. The lovely table settings set the tone for 600 attendees at the Irvine Marriott. 3. The All-American Boys Chorus performed. 4. Everyone celebrated OCCF’s $1 billion milestone.

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Orange County Community Foundation celebrated a historic milestone of more than $1 billion in grants and scholarships awarded since its inception in 1989 at its annual luncheon in November. It was at the event for about 600 supporters that OCCF President Shelley Hoss announced the achievement. OCCF reached the goal 18 months early and has surpassed it by an additional $50 million.

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ORANGE COUNTY UNITED WAY Orange County United Way’s Alexis de Tocqueville Society hosted its “It’s Showtime” red carpet philanthropic event in November, raising more than $250,000 to support key initiatives and services aimed at ensuring local students succeed, struggling local families gain financial security, the unhoused find a place to call home, and the county’s most vulnerable residents are connected with health and human service resources.

1. Bailey Johnson, Cindy Canale, and Mahtab Jafari celebrate with Mike Johnson after Johnson was honored with the Taking Action Medal. 2. Max and Artyn Gardner, Melinda Masson, Pierre Masson, and United Way president Susan B. Parks. Melinda Masson was honored with a Legacy Medal. 3. Greg Backley is the Alexis de Tocqueville Society co-chair. 4. Guests get into the spirit of the fundraiser.

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FIRSTTEAM ® RE-IGNITE FirstTeam Real Estate gathered for its company-wide Re-ignite event at House of Blues Anaheim to celebrate 48 years of excellence and give a first look into its next era. During the aweinspiring event, FirstTeam unveiled its refreshed brand with a renewed commitment to agents and the future of the company, symbolizing a bold path forward while honoring its rich legacy.

3 1. Founder and Chairman Cameron Merage 2. Maria Garcia and Sunny Wheeler

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4. FirstTeam’s new branding reveal

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3. CEO Michele Harrington and FirstTeam marketing department

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GRAND OPENING: EGGERSMANN LAGUNA SHOWROOM

Orange Coast celebrated the grand opening of the eggersmann Kitchen and Home Living showroom at the Laguna Design Center. Guests experienced an evening highlighting chefs Shachi Mehra of ADYA, Jonathan Barone of Bar One by iL Barone, and Ernie Alvarado of URBANA with delicious bites prepared in modern kitchens. Attendees saw exceptional home living spaes and wardrobe furniture while supporting charities.

1. Chef Jonathan Barone 2. Ribbon cutting

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3. Sean Ruddy, Brissa Garcia-Ruddy, Chris Gialanella, and Carla Rhea 4. URBANA Anaheim Mexican Gastronomy Team 5. CEO of eggersmann Michael Soltoff, Shachi Mehra, and Rodolfo Orlando Duriez

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INTERNATIONAL INSPIRATION Connie Spenuzza is an arts patron supreme and an awardwinning author who has published 13 books and visited 128 countries. This month, she will speak at Orange County Museum of Art to discuss her latest book, “The Unique Women of the Venetian Republic,” which takes place during the 1400s through 1797. by Chelsea Raineri

A trip to Venice 50 years ago inspired Spenuzza’s newest book, her 13th. “I was going to Venice with a friend of mine, who was Venetian, to see her grandma. On the second train, she met a very handsome Austrian guy who she left with to go skiing. It turned out to be a very beautiful relationship (between me and) her grandma. She was a countess. I’ve always been a bibliophile and so was she, so she took me to the great old libraries in Venice.” Spenuzza’s greatest challenge was staying true to the women and their time without applying a modern spin. One of the historical women she wrote about was sent to a convent because her family had several daughters and not enough money for each dowry. “When you write a history book, you have to be honest to the period and be faithful to the women. You must represent them 500 years later in a truthful fashion so that whoever reads it believes it.” Her time growing up in Ecuador helped with telling the story. “I can still remember when we didn’t have electricity, and I read by candlelight. So it helps me to put myself in a situation where they couldn’t go out at night because it was dark and dangerous. When I was a young child, my great aunts were already about 99 or 100,

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Read things you don’t normally want to read. You absorb through your emotions— your visceral reaction to books. You’re going to learn something from everything you read.”

so they remembered from the early 1800s, and they would tell me stories; they were wonderful storytellers.” Spenuzza’s passion for the arts runs deep: She serves on the board of directors for three arts organizations on the Segerstrom Center campus including Segerstrom Center for the Arts, Orange County Museum of Art, and South Coast Repertory. She has also served on the Bowers Museum board of governors and Mission San Juan Capistrano’s board of directors. She has underwritten shows including “Like Water for Chocolate” and “Havana Madrid” through the Spenuzza Velastegui Family Foundation. “I appreciate the difficulty and the genius that it takes to be a performer. I appreciate any artist who has dedicated themselves to a level that the rest of us are willing to pay and the field is made better by it.” She has a passion for 17th- and 18th-century Spanish Colonial paintings, which she collects. “In South America, I lived in a convent. My mother made the mistake of getting a divorce in a country where her uncle was the cardinal, which is the highest-ranking Catholic clergy in a country. She was banned and came to live in the United States. Every day (at the convent), I got to look at beautiful art that is identical but additional to European art. When the Spanish conquered Latin America, the military and the religious orders were responsible for teaching Catholicism to the native people, and they did that through paintings. They would take engravings of the icons of the Catholic church and the indigenous painters would say, ‘That looks like a guinea pig.’ But it was a squirrel. It’s very interesting to see how there are small deviations from a European painting.” January 2024 | OR AN G E COAST

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UNPARALLELED EXPERTISE

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Congratulations to all of our 2024 Physicians of Excellence. Thank you for providing exceptional care to our patients, and for making Hoag the #1 hospital in Orange County.

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TOP DOCTORS 2024

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PHYS IC IAN S

S PEC IALTIE S

TH I S Y E A R ’ S PH YS I C IAN S O F E XC ELLEN C E WER E J U D G ED BY TH E

O R AN G E C O U NT Y M E D I CAL AS S O C IATI O N

TO B E A M O N G TH E M O S T ACCO M PLI S H ED AN D C AR I N G . H o w d i d t h e d o c t o r s g e t o n t h i s l i s t ? Tu r n t o PA G E 8 7 f o r t h e s e l e c t i o n p r o c e s s .

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TOP DOCTORS 2024 Unless otherwise noted, physicians are M.D.s; KP designates Kaiser Permanente physicians, who accept only those patients.

ALLERGY AND CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY Vivian T. Aranez Food allergy, atopic dermatitis, asthma Huntington Beach 949-791-3202 Amber M. Burnette KP

Garden Grove 888-988-2800 Wan-Yin Chan Immune deficiency, eczema, food allergy Orange 714-633-6363 Sarah S. Field Food allergy, asthma, eczema, eosinophilic esophagitis Orange 714-633-6363 Donald Levy Angioedema, urticaria, anaphylaxis, eczema, asthma, hayfever Orange 714-639-7847 Lisa H. Lim KP Garden Grove 833-574-2273 Chao-I Lin Asthma, allergic rhinitis, food allergy Orange 714-771-7994 Christina Schwindt Food allergies, asthma, nasal allergies, eczema Newport Beach 949-791-3202 William Sokol, Jr. Allergy, asthma & clinical immunology Newport Beach 949-645-3374

ANESTHESIOLOGY Kyle Ahn Regional anesthesiology, graduate medical education Orange 714-456-8744 76

Christine A. Ayoub, DO Santa Ana 714-619-5383 Melissa Chang Perioperative medicine Orange 714-456-5501 Clifford A. Char Pediatric, adult, cardiac, obstetrics, regional anethesia Santa Ana 714-619-5383 Scott Engwall Orange 714-456-5501 R. Ryan Field Neuroanesthesiology Orange 714-456-5501 Anna L. Harris Perioperative care Orange 714-456-5501 Tsengting John Hsieh Newport Beach 949-764-6954 Jack Kan Regional anesthesia and information technology Newport Beach 949-424-6422 Richard J. Kelly Cardiothoracic anesthesiology Orange 714-456-5462 Joseph Kim Pediatric anesthesiology Orange 714-619-5383 Robert F. Kopel Critical care medicine Newport Beach 949-764-6954 Manoj Kulkarni Pediatric anesthesiology Santa Ana 714-560-1580 Steve Lee Orange 714-744-0900 Derek N. Lodico, DO Mission Viejo 949-600-7864

W H AT IT ’ S LI K E TO … Erin McHale Perioperative medicine, ambulatory anesthesia, women’s health Newport Beach 949-764-5438 Debra E. Morrison Pediatric and neonatal anesthesiology Orange 714-393-9521 Ariana Nelson Pain medicine Orange 714-456-7002 James Nguyen Outpatient surgery and anesthesia Huntington Beach 949-287-3722 Jon Nguyen Patient safety and practice management Huntington Beach 949-287-3076 Kyle Paredes Orange 714-456-5501 Lynnus Peng Web-based medicine, medical legislation Fullerton 714-279-8665 Stephen Skahen Neuroanesthesia Newport Beach 949-764-6954 Anil Tiwari Cardiac anesthesiology Orange 714-456-5501 Chi Ukishima KP Perioperative services, regional Anaheim 888-988-2800 Shermeen Vakharia Cardiothoracic anesthesia Orange 714-456-5501 Trung Q. Vu Critical care medicine Orange 714-456-5501 Eric K. Wellmeyer Pediatric anesthesiology Santa Ana 714-619-5383

save lives despite your own challenges ERICA HARROLD OF ANAHEIM HILLS GAVE HER HUSBAND, JOSH, HER BLESSING TO DONATE T WO OF HIS ORGANS, EVEN AS SHE WAS BAT TLING A NEAR - FATAL BR AIN TUMOR.

rica: In August 2013, I started having strange sensations. Numbness, tingling, loss of balance. When I went to the ER, they dismissed it as dehydration. They did a chest x-ray and EKG and couldn’t

find anything. Josh: September 1 was our first wedding anniversary. I took Erica on a surprise trip to San Diego. We went skydiving and had an incredible weekend. On the drive back, Erica’s left arm started twitching. When we finally saw a neurologist, they said, “Those are seizures you’re having.” She had an MRI done, and it showed a mass inside of her brain. Erica: When we started the process of going to the neurologist, we joked that “It’s not a tumor”—like the line from “Kindergarten Cop.” So when the doctor said that, it was like, OK I do have a tumor. We wanted to be proactive. It was a little scary, but I knew I couldn’t stick my head in the sand. This wasn’t going to be the end of my story. Josh: We met with a neurosurgeon who had the opposite of good bedside manner. He said, “There’s no option for surgery here. Your life expectancy is two to three years.” That’s when it hit me, the gravity of the situation. But we ended up going to five additional consults. On the sixth opinion, we got the answer we were looking for. Erica: When I had the surgery, it eliminated about a third of the tumor. I lost movement in my left leg and had to go to physical therapy. I did a year of oral chemotherapy, and everything stayed stable for the next three years. And then there was a little growth, so I did 6 1/2 weeks of radiation. I lost my hair. It was mentally tough. (That was) followed by another year of chemotherapy ending in 2017. Since then, my scans have been stable, apart from dealing with a lot of seizure activity. We’re still figuring out the right treatment for that. Josh: During the second year of chemo, one of our good friends, Kelly, who had polycystic kidney disease, made a post on Facebook that she was going to need a kidney donor. Erica: When Josh got home from work, I asked, “Did you see Kelly’s post?” And he said, “I was going to ask you the same thing. What would you say if I …” I said, “… if you … wanted to get tested? I think that

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TOP DOCTORS 2024 Steve Yun Dental office anesthesia Orange 714-320-0084 Ramin Zolfagari KP Pediatric anesthesiology Irvine 949-932-2448

ANESTHESIOLOGY - PAIN MEDICINE James A. Kim Interventional pain management, spinal cord stimulation Newport Beach 949-566-8688

CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE Radhakrishan S. Gandhi Interventional cardiology Newport Beach 949-515-4515 Roxana Ghashghaei Orange 714-456-7920 Dipti Itchhaporia Newport Beach 949-548-6634

would be amazing.” Josh: There’s zero reason for me to have two kidneys. I was always taught as a kid if I had two toys, I should share. It’s basically the same thing. I reached out to Kelly and said, “Let me be first in line.” I went through the testing, and I was found to be a close match. A few months later, September 2017, we did the surgery, and it was completely successful. Our (adopted) daughter, Amelia, was born eight to 10 weeks premature the day after Christmas of 2018. We spent nearly a month in the NICU, and I always wanted to do something to give back to the NICU community. I’d read an article about double donors. At the time, there were fewer than 100 people worldwide who’d donated two organs. I called Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and got on the list. A month later, I got the photograph by SCOTT SMELTZER

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call that there was a baby girl who needed help. I did the testing, and after Thanksgiving of 2022 we did the surgery and she received part of my liver. The surgeon told us afterward how little time was left for this little girl. It was going to be her last Christmas. And now she has her whole life ahead of her. Erica: It comes down to the community that we were raised in. We both come from small-town Kansas. When I was diagnosed, we had so much support from our hometown and from our new friends in California, too. When I see a person struggling, I’m going to be the first to offer help. Being able to help is not an obligation, but a privilege. Josh: It took very little effort on my part to save two people’s lives. I was beyond grateful for the opportunity to do that.

Jin Kyung Kim Cardiology, women’s heart disease, cardiac imaging Orange 714-456-3380 Arthur H. Loussararian Interventional cardiology Mission Viejo 949-364-3388 Fernando Mendoza Preventive cardiology, cardiac imaging Los Alamitos 562-598-3200 Michael Panutich Electrophysiology, cardiac arrhythmias, Afib, pacemakers, defibrillators Newport Beach 949-548-9611 Pranav M. Patel Interventional cardiology, structural heart disease Orange 714-456-7589

Shankarlingam Sainath Cardiac ultrasound, peripheral vascular ultrasound Fountain Valley 714-540-9911 Dennis Sarabi Newport Beach 949-706-1114

CHILD AND ADOLESCENT PSYCHIATRY Cindy Fibel Newport Beach 949-891-0307 Matthew Koury Evidence-based care, sports psychiatry, ADHD Newport Beach 949-891-0307 Hoang (Wayne) Nguyen Consult-liaison, neurodevelopmental, anxiety Orange 714-509-8232 Gayle Polsky Newport Beach 949-891-0307 David Safani ADHD, anxiety, precision medicine, informatics, psychotherapy Newport Beach 714-371-9771

CHILD NEUROLOGY Anjalee Galion Pediatric sleep disorders Orange 714-509-7555 Andrew McIntosh Epilepsy and neurodevelopmental disorders Laguna Niguel 949-249-3780 Daniel Shrey Infantile spasms, epileptic encephalopathies, refractory epilepsy Orange 714-509-7601 Sharief K. Taraman Clinical informatics Orange 714-509-7555

—As told to Astgik Khatchatryan

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TOP DOCTORS 2024 Minodora Totoiu Down syndrome Orange 714-509-7555

CLINICAL BIOCHEMICAL GENETICS Virginia Kimonis Orange 714-456-5792 Raymond Wang Gene therapy, gene editing, rare diseases Orange 714-509-8852

CRITICAL CARE MEDICINE Michael Katz Neurocritical care, advanced cardiovascular medicine Fullerton 714-992-3969

DERMATOLOGY Vince Afsahi Skin cancer, laser, and cosmetic dermatology Tustin 714-508-0754 Michelle Aszterbaum Skin cancer prevention Newport Beach 949-525-0700 Bita Bagheri Newport Beach 949-236-7900 Jason Castillo KP Mohs surgery Irvine 949-262-5611 Tanya Evans Laguna Niguel 949-707-5734 Zena H. Gabriel Newport Beach 949-200-8222 Linda Golkar Medical and pediatric dermatology Yorba Linda 714-577-6666 Van Hoang KP Yorba Linda 888-988-2800

Kristen M. Kelly Laser surgery, vascular lesions, general dermatology Irvine 949-824-5515 Marit Kreidel KP Irvine 949-262-5600 Patrick K. Lee Mohs micrographic surgery Irvine 949-824-0606 Nathalie Nguyen KP Medical dermatology Mission Viejo 833-574-2273 Tanya Nino Micrographic dermatologic surgery Orange 714-628-3230 Nissan Pilest Irvine 949-727-3800 Rana Rofagha Sajjadian KP Mohs surgery Irvine 888-988-2800 Hege Grande Sarpa KP

Mission Viejo 888-988-2800 Silvia Song KP Yorba Linda 833-574-2273 Brian R. Toy Medical, surgical, and cosmetic dermatology Mission Viejo 949-364-6580 Sherry Youssef KP Yorba Linda 714-685-3740

DEVELOPMENTALBEHAVIORAL PEDIATRICS Peter Chung Autism and technology Costa Mesa 949-267-0400 Thusa Sabapathy Autism, ADHD, anxiety Costa Mesa 949-267-0400

W H AT IT ’ S LI K E TO … Robin B. Steinberg Epstein Autism, ADHD, anxiety, learning disorders Costa Mesa 949-267-0400

DIAGNOSTIC RADIOLOGY Arash Anavim Musculoskeletal radiology, patient safety, quality improvement Orange 714-456-6921 Biraj Bista Cardio-thoracic and vascular radiology Orange 714-456-3501 Michael BrantZawadzki Neuroradiology, physician management, health policy, research Newport Beach 949-764-5942 Joseph Burns Musculoskeletal imaging and intervention Orange 714-456-6921 Miles Chang Body imaging, ultrasound Newport Beach 949-764-5736 Luke Cheung Ultrasound, CT, MRI Newport Beach 949-764-5736 Freddie Combs Breast imaging Costa Mesa 949-515-3544 Dayantha Fernando Interventional radiology Orange 714-456-7237 David R. Floriolli Head and neck diagnostic imaging Orange 714-456-5228 Maryam GolshanMomeni Musculoskeletal radiology, pediatric radiology Orange 714-456-6921

be a Deaf singersongwriter THOUGH BORN WITH PROFOUND DEAFNESS IN BOTH EARS, SINGER ALI OF ANAHEIM SHOWCASED HER VOCAL CHOPS ON SEASON 23 OF NBC’S “THE VOICE.”

wasn’t diagnosed until I was almost 2. My grandfather pointed out that I wasn’t reacting to a lot of sounds. My dad is a drummer, and he would play the drums right next to me while I was sleeping, and I wouldn’t wake up. The doctors told my parents in a very insensitive way. They said, “You can’t give glasses to the blind.” They just made it seem like I was this broken person. My whole family are musicians, so I imagine it was devastating for them to find out that their child couldn’t hear music. But my family would never treat me as if I were broken or something to be repaired. We wanted to prove those insensitive doctors wrong. You can absolutely do whatever you put your mind to. I’m super thankful to my parents for giving me the liberty to live my life in a way I’m most comfortable. For me that’s lip reading. I’m in a family of all hearing people. I wear hearing aids to help me. Some people don’t choose to wear them, and that’s totally fine. I think that’s a beautiful thing. I think ASL is a beautiful language. I’ll gladly take out my hearing aids and shut out the world sometimes. I’m proud of who I am. I’ve been singing since I was little. My grandpa taught me how to play my first chord on the guitar. I also play piano and drums. I had a speech therapist who would come to our house. Sometimes she would sing something, and I would sing back in perfect pitch. And my sister who is fully hearing would be terribly off key. (Laughs). I have to say my sister is a great singer now. People have always told me to go on “American Idol” or “America’s Got Talent.” I grew up looking up to Kelly Clarkson. As I sang in talent shows, people heard that I was Deaf and said, “You need to share that with the world.” But I had imposter syndrome. I wanted to study music in college, and I told a professor that there are some frequencies I just can’t hear at all. He said, “Oh I’m sorry; you’re probably going to fail this class, and you should drop it.” And I did. That really discouraged me. I don’t think people realize how powerful their words can be. Around 2019, I auditioned for “The Voice” and didn’t make it. Then I auditioned again and didn’t make it. Then in 2022, I auditioned a third time, and the casting producer heard my story and voice and wanted me on the show. The day we recorded the Blind Audition, it was my birthday, and it was the best birthday gift ever. I’m usually never nervous to sing in front of people. But

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TOP DOCTORS 2024 Mohammad Helmy Ultrasound, body imaging Orange 714-456-7953 Roozbeh Houshyar Imaging of prostate cancer Orange 714-456-7237 Christopher Hsu Breast imaging Santa Ana 714-541-0101 Michael Jung Neuroradiology Irvine 949-645-3534 Zaihleen Keller Breast imaging and intervention Irvine 949-645-3534 J. Andrew Keyoung Oncologic imaging Newport Beach 949-645-3534 Jessica Langer Santa Ana 714-541-0101 Sonia Lee Abdominal imaging Orange 714-456-6921 January Lopez Breast imaging Newport Beach 949-764-5780 Mark Masotto Abdominal and urologic imaging Orange 714-538-6731 Kenneth Meng Breast imaging Orange 714-771-8360

when you’re told you’re going to sing for Kelly Clarkson and Niall Horan and Blake Shelton and Chance the Rapper … I sang one of my favorite songs ever, “Killing Me Softly” by The Fugees. The production team was so accommodating and nice. They made sure the crowd was completely silent so I could hear myself better. The speakers are directly under you so I could feel it, too. It happened so fast. I almost missed the fact that Kelly and Chance had turned their chairs for me. photograph by SCOTT SMELTZER

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I told people on the show that the way I listen to music and enjoy it is by feeling it. I enjoy the beats and the bass. When I told Kelly Clarkson that, she was like, “That’s amazing. I would love to get into your brain and experience that.” It was one of the best experiences of my life. And I’m performing so much more now. I have that foot in the door that I really wanted. I just performed at Carnegie Hall in November. And I’m releasing an EP. It still doesn’t seem real. —As told to Astgik Khatchatryan

Daniel Nahl, DO Pediatric radiology Orange 714-509-9160 Kirk L. Ohanian Neuroradiology Orange 714-997-4762 Hieu Truong Nuclear medicine, PET-CT, musculoskeletal imaging Orange 714-771-8171 Irene Tsai Breast imaging Orange 714-456-6921

Marisa Tseng Neuroradiology and cardiothoracic imaging Orange 714-456-7953 Paul Tung, DO Body, breast, hepatobiliary, prostate imaging Santa Ana 714-835-6055 Nicolas von dem Bussche Breast imaging and interventional procedures Irvine 949-645-3534 Dan Vu Thoracic and cardiac imaging Orange 714-997-4764 Scott Williams Cardiovascular imaging, body imaging, artificial intelligence Irvine 949-645-3534 Humberto Wong Irvine 949-645-3534 Melissa Yu Neuroradiology Newport Beach 949-645-3534

EMERGENCY MEDICINE Eric Alcouloumre Newport Beach 949-764-8372 Isabel AlgazeGonzalez Wilderness medicine Orange 714-456-5239 Kelly Dodge Education, emergency medical services Newport Beach 949-764-5689 William R. Dodge, II Addiction medicine Laguna Beach 949-499-2002 Ahmed Elrefaie Irvine 949-764-4624 Darrin Fryer Newport Beach 949-764-5689

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TOP DOCTORS 2024 William Green Emergency care treatment innovations Newport Beach 949-764-8376 Matthew Hunt Administration Newport Beach 949-764-8253 Albert Jin KP Anaheim 714-644-2800 Pascal Juang Newport Beach 949-764-8376 Timothy Korber COVID Fountain Valley 714-966-7200

Chien Sun KP Irvine 949-932-2800 Warren Wiechmann Education, mobile technology, social media Orange 949-824-3837 Sean Wilson KP Anaheim 714-644-2800 Alisa Wray Orange 714-456-5705 Christepher David Yao Orange 714-543-8911

Richard Kozak Mission Viejo 949-364-1400

ENDOCRINOLOGY, DIABETES AND METABOLISM

Shadi Lahham KP Anaheim 714-644-2800

Nairi Berner Irvine 949-671-4673

Brian S. Lee Physician leadership and clinical informatics Orange 714-543-8911

Andrew R. Reikes Thyroid issues, osteoporosis, diabetes, pituitary diseases Irvine 949-824-8600

True L. McMahan Hospice and palliative care Garden Grove 714-741-2724 David Meyers Newport Beach 949-764-5689 Matthew Mullarky Orange 714-543-8911 Todd R. Newton KP Anaheim 714-644-4103 Megan Boysen Osborn Medical education, obesity medicine Orange 714-456-5605 Karin Reed Newport Beach 949-764-5689 Jeffrey A. Rey Laguna Beach 949-499-2002 Michael Ritter Toxicology Mission Viejo 949-364-1400

Samar Singh Irvine 949-671-4673

FACIAL PLASTIC AND RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGERY Rami Batniji Newport Beach 949-650-8882 Steven Daines Face and neck lift, rhinoplasty, injectables Newport Beach 949-209-1622 Alexis Furze Sinus, rhinoplasty and nasal surgery Newport Beach 949-387-6673 Raymond Lee Facial aesthetic surgery, facelift, lasers, skincare Newport Beach 949-706-2277

Jennifer Roh Orange 714-456-5705

W H AT IT ’ S LI K E TO … Simon Madorsky Facelift, rhinoplasty, and reconstructive surgery Newport Beach 949-200-1615 Sunny Park Nasal reconstruction & rhinoplasty, otoplasty, blepharoplasty Newport Beach 949-873-5089 Brian J.F. Wong Rhinoplasty, revision rhinoplasty, nasal reconstruction Irvine 949-824-7997

FAMILY MEDICINE Matthew Abinante, DO Entrepreneur, telehealth, health/ wellness locations, research Huntington Beach 714-916-5210 Fred Alamshaw, DO KP Yorba Linda 888-988-2800 Lynette Bui Anderson, DO Urgent care, ultrasound procedures, medical education Santa Ana 657-282-6355 Rhett Bartolome, DO KP Anaheim 833-574-2273 Mariam Behbehani, DO Leadership and primary care Irvine 949-899-8309 Neetu A. Bhola KP Geriatrics Anaheim 888-988-2800 Lance Brunner KP Academic medicine, patient safety and quality Brea 833-KP4CARE Thanh Bui KP Lifestyle medicine Garden Grove 888-988-2800

get diagnosed with stage 4 stomach cancer EL MODENA HIGH ALUM CAMILL A ROW BECAME AN ADVOCATE FOR HERSELF AND OTHERS BAT TLING STOMACH CANCER.

got my initial diagnosis in 2018, after two years of having reflux pain that wouldn’t go away. Finally, I got an endoscopy, and that’s how they discovered the stomach cancer. I had a 3-year-old and a 5-yearold at the time, and I thought I was so healthy. I didn’t smoke. I ate well. So it came as a real shock to me. I didn’t even know stomach cancer was a thing. I was diagnosed with stage 1 cancer, and everyone said I was so lucky to have caught it early. All the doctors said, “We can cure you.” So I went straight to surgery to remove my stomach along with 47 lymph nodes. Two of the nodes came back positive, which meant the cancer was invading my lymphatic system. So I was upstaged from 1A to 1B. But I still considered myself lucky. Statistics and my team assured me that reoccurrence was so unlikely. I did my due diligence, my screenings. In December of 2021, I did a routine CT scan, and they discovered masses on my ovaries. Further testing later found them to be of stomach cancer origin. I went from a stage 1 survivor to a stage 4 patient overnight. It was a lot to process. A lot of the data was suggesting that I had months to live. But I was not ready to die. Up until then, I hadn’t been public with my diagnosis. My husband (Brennan Elliott) is an actor, and I never wanted to impact his career. I didn’t want anyone who was considering hiring him to think, well he can’t do it because he’s got a sick wife at home. But when I was diagnosed stage 4, I felt a real duty to become an advocate for other stomach cancer patients. And I had to be an advocate for myself. I knew there was a newer, slightly controversial treatment called HIPEC—basically like a hot chemo wash of your insides. The data was mixed, and very few surgeons in the U.S. practice it. But a friend of mine was able to connect me to a surgeon who did, Dr. Yanghee Woo at City of Hope. I was immediately taken aback by how she conceptualized my cancer. It felt personalized to me, rather than just following a flow chart for a treatment plan. I had to convince the oncologist to approve the HIPEC as well. I wrote so many letters. Finally I was approved, and I started that in June of 2022. I’ve had a series since then and also regular chemotherapy and immunotherapy. There was a period of about a year where I had no

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TOP DOCTORS 2024 Ming Chen, DO KP Medical mission, physician education Santa Ana 800-464-4000 Stephanie Chu KP POCUS, women’s health, office procedures Santa Ana 888-988-2800 Wendy Coling KP Preventive care, women’s health Anaheim 714-644-4135 Kara Cummins KP Graduate medical education Santa Ana 714-967-4766 Liza D. EshilianOates KP Women’s health Anaheim 888-988-2800 Everard Tesoro Esteban KP Lifestyle medicine Anaheim 888-988-2800 Fred Galluccio Full spectrum family practice, no OB Newport Beach 949-646-4865 Brian Y. Kim Sports medicine Irvine 949-824-8600

trace of cancer. People said I was a walking miracle. And though this past August they found some spots, we were able to remove them and treat with HIPEC and chemotherapy. I’m a clinical psychologist by trade, but through this experience I found this new calling to advocate for patients to receive personalized care. Especially with stage 4 patients, there’s a tendency to write us off and say that we should have no expectation to be cured. I’m so fortunate that I found the right team for me. And I was so thrilled to hear about City of Hope’s expansion into Orange County. Though I live in L.A. now, I grew up all over Orange County, mostly Garden photograph by SCOTT SMELTZER

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Grove and Orange. And I still have a lot of friends and family there. What’s helped me cope is giving back to the stomach cancer community—leading support groups. Letting people know that you have to speak up for yourself and empower yourself with information. To know that I’m making some sort of difference makes the cancer part suck a little less. I’m just thrilled that I can live my life with minimal or even periods of no disease being stage 4. The survival rate is about 6 percent. But I tell myself, I could be in that 6 percent. What’s stopping me? —As told to Astgik Khatchatryan

Christopher A. Kroner Sports medicine Irvine 949-824-8600 Quynh-Hoa Le, DO KP Santa Ana 833-574-2273 Michael Y. Lee Leadership and burnout coaching Irvine 949-899-8309 Jo Lieberman-Pan Women’s health, preventative medicine Fountain Valley 714-549-1300 Lucio Loza KP Diabetes, community medicine Santa Ana 714-967-4693

José Mayorga Santa Ana 714-480-2443 Sofia E. Meraz KP Women’s health, community medicine, behavioral medicine Santa Ana 888-988-2800 Timothy Munzing KP

Residency education, appropriate pain management Santa Ana 714-967-4766 Carrie NelsonVasquez KP Hospice and palliative medicine Santa Ana 714-967-4719 Tan Q. Nguyen Medical humanities, physician wellness, medical education Anaheim 714-456-7002 Hiroki Richard Noda KP Lifestyle medicine, diabetes care La Habra 833-KP4CARE Andrew M. Park KP Lake Forest 888-988-2800 Diane Pham KP La Palma 833-574-2273 Michael Provenghi KP

Diabetes, medical education Santa Ana 888-988-2800 Hal S. Shimazu Lipids, geriatrics Orange 714-997-2899 Samuel Sunshine Family and sports medicine, functional medicine Foothill Ranch 949-460-9111 Laura Tangredi, DO Osteopathic manipulation Orange 714-639-2600 Charles P. Vega, Jr. Care for the underserved Santa Ana 714-456-7002

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TOP DOCTORS 2024 Baotran N. Vo Maternity care, women’s health, clinic procedures Irvine 949-824-8600 Paul A. Vollucci, DO KP Santa Ana 888-988-2800 Joseph Weiland, DO Membershipbased primary care, preventative medicine Newport Beach 949-386-8618

FAMILY MEDICINE - SPORTS MEDICINE James Hwang KP Ultrasound-guided minimally invasive procedures Irvine 888-988-2800 James Ting Irvine 949-722-7038

FEMALE PELVIC MEDICINE AND RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGERY Taylor Brueseke Orange 714-456-2911 Noelani M. Guaderrama KP Irvine 888-988-2800 Jun Ihara KP Anaheim 888-988-2800 Felicia Lane Pelvic organ prolapse, Mullerian anomalies Orange 714-456-5967 Jennifer K. Lee KP Urogynecology Anaheim 888-988-2800 Melanie R. Santos Pelvic organ prolapse, urinary/ fecal incontinence Fullerton 714-992-5350

W H AT IT ’ S LI K E TO …

GASTROENTEROLOGY

GYNECOLOGIC ONCOLOGY

Donald Abrahm Inflammatory bowel disease, colon cancer prevention Newport Beach 949-631-2670

Lisa Abaid Robotic surgery, genetic mutation carriers Newport Beach 949-642-1394

Kenneth J. Chang Orange 714-456-6187

John V. Brown Robotic surgery, gyn cancer surgery, chemotherapy Newport Beach 949-642-1361

Philip T. Chen Cap assisted underwater colonoscopy Irvine 949-502-5572 Andrew Q. Giap KP Endoscopic ultrasound, biliary endoscopy, advance endoscopy Anaheim 888-988-2800 John G. Lee Endoscopy Orange 714-456-6745 Nimisha K. Parekh Inflammatory bowel disease, education, faculty development Orange 714-456-6745 Abhay Parikh Newport Beach 949-548-6652 Sandra Sunhee Park Inflammatory bowel disease Orange 714-456-6262 Jason B. Samarasena Orange 714-456-6262

GERIATRIC MEDICINE Lisa M. Gibbs Healthy aging, falls, dementia care, frailty Orange 714-456-5530 Sonia Sehgal Healthy aging Orange 714-456-5530 Steven Tam Orange 714-456-7007

Noah Rodriguez KP Minimally invasive and robotic surgery Irvine 888-988-2800 Jay P. Shah KP Minimally invasive surgery Irvine 888-988-2800 Krishnansu S. Tewari Ovarian cancer surgery, robotic surgery Orange 714-456-8020

GYNECOLOGY Patricia Korber Contraception, menorraghia, menopausal symptoms Newport Beach 949-423-7384 Heather R. Macdonald Breast cancer, menopause Irvine 949-557-0186

HEMATOLOGY Lauren C. PinterBrown Lymphoma Orange 714-456-8000 Richard Van Etten Leukemia and myeloproliferative neoplasms Orange 714-456-8031

Emily L. Whitcomb

HEMATOLOGYMEDICAL ONCOLOGY

Urogynecology Irvine 949-324-0172

Elizabeth A. Brem Lymphoma Orange 714-456-8000

battle Parkinson’s one scoop at a time SAN CLEMENTE’S JUSTIN AND ASHLEY VEDDER STARTED VEDDER’S ICE CREAM SHOP AF TER JUSTIN WAS DIAGNOSED WITH YOUNG - ONSET PARKINSON’S. shley: After Justin was diagnosed in 2014, his doctor recommended that to slow the progression of the disease, he should start eating clean, which meant everything had to be organic. Plus, no gluten, no dairy, no fillers, no bread, and no cane sugar. For sweeteners, he could have maple syrup, coconut sugar, honey, and dates. Two months into our journey, we cheated and took the kids to get frozen yogurt. Heading out of the shop, I was like, “Oh, my stomach.” It just hit me like a ton of bricks. I had a dream that night that somebody was talking to me and saying I should open a healthy ice cream shop. I’ve always been inventive in the kitchen. I learned how to cook from my mom, who was a gourmet chef. Justin: She’s such a scientist and chemist. She’ll have only blueberries and grapefruit in the house, and she can throw something together. It’s crazy. She’s done such a good job with the shop, with everything. Ashley: About three weeks after I had that dream, I ordered a small ice cream maker to practice on, and I started making ice cream in our kitchen. From 2017 to 2020 when COVID hit, I was able to perfect my recipes. We heard about an ice cream shop that was going out of business and ended up buying it over the phone while we were in San Francisco. Justin: I was there having my fourth brain surgery. Ashley: A few months later, I was able to get a gelato machine delivered, and I started making ice cream. We had a grand opening of our Vedder’s ice cream shop in July 2021. I started selling at local farmers markets, and now we’re in 18 locations around Orange and L.A. counties. I’ve learned so much since we first started, but it can be a lot of work, too. Some days I look at all this and say, wow, this was a crazy idea, what was I thinking? Being a mom is still my number one priority, and just the kids alone is a big job. Justin: Not to mention my having Parkinson’s. I do pretty well, but it’s hard on her, too. We learned it’s important to really pace ourselves and understand how challenging the business can be. You have to take it one step at a time. Ashley: It’s persevering through moments like when the batter falls all over the floor, or you feel you’re doing four jobs at once, that make you stronger. You just have to keep going. We want to spread the love of eating healthy. We want to share with the world you can get that craving for sweets satisfied in a healthy way. Justin: We give a portion of our proceeds to the

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TOP DOCTORS 2024 Timothy Byun Clinical cancer research Orange 714-835-1800

Emilie Chow Preventative care and travel medicine Orange 714-456-7016

Yung Lyou Fullerton 714-446-5900

Jane D. Curtis Patient centered diagnosis and management Santa Ana 714-288-3230

Chaitali Nangia Clinical trials in breast cancer Newport Beach 949-935-4111 David J. Park Solid tumors, phase 1 trials Fullerton 714-446-5900 George B. Semeniuk Integrative oncology Newport Beach 949-763-2204 Nishan Tchekmedyian Lung/prostate cancer, immunotherapy, precision medicine Irvine 949-671-4673

HOSPICE AND PALLIATIVE MEDICINE Shiho Ito Whole person care Orange 714-456-8000

INFECTIOUS DISEASE Lanny Hsieh Orange 714-456-5726 Miki Watanabe Orange 714-456-5726

INTERNAL MEDICINE Michael J. Fox Foundation (for Parkinson’s Research). Our slogan is “Funding Parkinson’s Research One Scoop at a Time.” We got to meet Michael at a fundraising dinner a few years ago. Ashley: We were already fundraising for the Fox Foundation when we started our business, so we’d already established a good rapport with them. Now their names are on all of our containers and ice cream photograph by SCOTT SMELTZER

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sandwich packaging. Since we opened, we’ve raised a total of $600,000 for Team Fox. Justin: It’s great going into the shop and seeing people come in who know our story and want to say, “I’m thinking of you.” Seeing the little kids get excited. They come up and say, “I can eat sweets now. I can eat ice cream.” All of those are joyful moments that have been so wonderful.

Ani Baghdassarian Membership-based primary care Newport Beach 949-386-8618

Hoang (Bryan) Dong

International health Anaheim 833-574-2273 Susan Hodes KP Internal medicine hospitalist, lifestyle medicine Anaheim 888-988-2800 Ke-Qin Hu Various liver diseases and their complications Orange 888-717-4463 Patty Huang Hospital medicine Newport Beach 877-742-4624 Dan Huynh KP Hospital medicine Anaheim 888-988-2800 Sonali Iyer Hospital medicine Orange 714-456-5960 Joel Katz Hospitalist, quality improvement Newport Beach 877-742-4624 Khoa Lam KP Hospital medicine, physician communication, quality, safety Irvine 888-988-2800 Theodore Lee KP Irvine 888-988-2800

Hany Bashandy Hospitalist Newport Beach 877-742-4624

David Liao Hospital medicine Irvine 877-742-4624

Lex Chen KP Hospitalist Irvine 949-932-5000

Melanie Lin Preventative care, coding Anaheim 888-449-9303

—As told to Barbara Neal Varma

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TOP DOCTORS 2024 Priya Bhatia Monahan KP Hospital medicine, yoga/wellness, fitness, art Irvine 833-574-2273 Bavani Nadeswaran Bariatric medicine Orange 714-456-8773 Rajsree Nambudripad Integrative medicine Fullerton 714-523-8900

INTERNAL MEDICINE WITH A FOCUSED PRACTICE IN HOSPITAL MEDICINE Alpesh Amin Hospital medicine Orange 714-456-3785 Weston Chandler Hospitalist Newport Beach 949-873-6181

Maryam Rahimi Orange 714-456-7016

Alex Leung Fullerton 714-447-5027

Bobby Sasson Primary care, medical education, women’s health Irvine 949-824-8600

INTERVENTIONAL CARDIOLOGY

Neha Savalia Yorba Linda 714-577-6652 Lutfi A. Sayyur Hospital medicine Fullerton 714-651-8138 Bahar Sedarati Mindset mastery, leadership development, health technology Irvine 310-980-1781 Amy Teresi Endocrinology Newport Beach 949-644-3568 Simin Torabzadeh Dementia, elder care, comprehensive geriatric assessment Irvine 949-824-8600 Tuan Trinh Fullerton 714-992-3969 Samy Younis Geriatric medicine, women’s health, chemical dependency Irvine 949-451-9292

Ihab Alomari Structural heart disease Mission Viejo 949-364-3570

INTERVENTIONAL RADIOLOGY Nadine Abi-Jaoudeh Interventional oncology Orange 714-456-2389 Alexander Misono Ultra-minimally invasive interventions and therapies Newport Beach 949-764-7365 Trushar Patel Interventional oncology, vascular/ venous disease Irvine 949-645-3534

INTERVENTIONAL RADIOLOGY AND DIAGNOSTIC RADIOLOGY Christopher Baker Stroke and brain aneurysms Newport Beach 949-645-3534

MATERNAL-FETAL MEDICINE Judith Chung Diabetes in pregnancy Orange 714-456-5967

W H AT IT ’ S LI K E TO … Anna Galyean KP Prenatal diagnosis, cervical insuffiency, PPROM Irvine 949-932-5652 Afshan Hameed Cardiac issues in pregnancy Orange 714-456-5968 Tamera Hatfield Orange 714-456-5967 Jennifer Jolley Prenatal diagnosis, fetal therapy Orange 714-456-5967 James T. Kurtzman Twins, preterm birth prevention, cervical insufficiency Irvine 949-336-7337 David Lagrew, Jr Women’s health, quality improvement, clinical informatics Newport Beach 949-764-8034 Carol Major Orange 714-456-5967 Manuel Porto Multiple gestation, fetal therapy and procedures Orange 714-456-2911

MEDICAL ONCOLOGY Samina Ahmed KP Anaheim 888-988-2800 Greg Angstreich Genitourinary oncology and hematology Newport Beach 949-646-6441 Paul Coluzzi Breast oncology Costa Mesa 949-515-3549 Farshid Dayyani Orange 714-456-8000 Umair Ghani Prostate cancer Newport Beach 949-646-6441

be treated for cancer while pregnant KELLY MAZMANIAN OF TUSTIN WAS EXPECTING HER SECOND CHILD WHEN SHE RECEIVED A DIRE DIAGNOSIS.

he first sign was a lump that I thought was scar tissue from the mastitis I had a couple of times while breastfeeding my son. When you’re breastfeeding, your breasts are all lumpy, so I didn’t think

anything of it. Then I got pregnant again in January 2022 and went into my OB-GYN and brought up to her that I felt it. She had it checked right away. I had a breast ultrasound and then a biopsy. I was initially diagnosed with stage 0 cancer. We didn’t know the exact size, but they saw calcification spanning pretty wide, and I had to make the decision between a mastectomy or a lumpectomy. I decided on the mastectomy. That ended up being the best decision because it was not only 8 centimeters of the stage 0, but also 5 centimeters of invasive ductal carcinoma, and it was already in one lymph node. It was definitely more extensive. I found out then that I had to undergo five rounds of chemotherapy. Before that, I didn’t know that it was safe to give chemo to the mother during pregnancy; I think that most people don’t know that. I was blessed that the doctors I was seeing had treated pregnant breast cancer patients before. I felt comfortable knowing that I was under their care. They could reassure me. Because I had so many doctors, I felt like they worked as a team. My OB-GYN wanted to make sure that the baby and I were safe. My surgeon wanted to make sure that the cancer was out completely. My oncologist, Dr. (Louis) Vandermolen, was making sure that the cancer wasn’t spreading. He even joined in on a conference call while he was on vacation. All the doctors got on the call to talk about the timing of my chemo. It was a very delicate balance to make sure that my daughter was healthy when she was delivered while I was healthy as well. My daughter was born in September 2022, and I had a perfectly normal delivery. We were going to induce at 37 weeks, and she actually came on her own at 36 weeks and five days. After that, I had to have six more rounds of chemotherapy and 33 rounds of daily radiation. The type of cancer I had is called triple positive—it’s fueled by estrogen, progesterone, and a protein called HER2. The crazy thing is, if I had gotten this even 10, 20 years ago, the outcome would have been way different. The survival rate was way lower before two immunotherapy drugs were invented. I just ended the

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TOP DOCTORS 2024 Diana Hanna Gastrointestinal cancers Newport Beach 949-646-6441 Deepa Jeyakumar Leukemias, myelodysplastic syndrome Orange 714-456-8000 Nataliya Mar Genitourinary malignancies Orange 714-456-8000 An Nguyen Breast, lung, and gastrointestinal malignancies Newport Beach 949-646-6441 Minh Nguyen Gastrointestinal cancer, lung cancer, blood disorders Newport Beach 949-646-6441 Ritesh Parajuli Breast cancer Orange 714-456-8614 Wade Smith Breast cancer Newport Beach 949-763-2204

immunotherapy in September. Because my cancer is fueled by hormones, to minimize the chance of another occurrence, I’m on hormone blockers for the next five to 10 years. I take pills and get a monthly shot. So I’m on a chemically induced menopause now at age 36. That’s another thing to process, all the side effects from that. During my journey, I credit my faith. I’m so thankful for that. I’m so thankful for my extended family and my husband, Jeff. He had to take on so many extra roles throughout this. My son was not even 2 at the time. He had to be mom and dad, plus be my caregiver. Add to that the mental strength he gave me. One of the biggest things that helped me process was writing out photograph by SCOTT SMELTZER

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my thoughts and sharing my story. I was really active on social media. I had people say I’ve impacted their lives by sharing my story. That’s been really cool. There’s an interesting twist to this. I knew my obstetrician, Dr. Lisa Karamadian, before she became my doctor. My dad is an OB-GYN as well. He does medical mission trips to Armenia every year, and she made the trip one year and I met her there. She knew my husband (before I did). She sent us an email one day saying, “I know this sounds crazy, and I don’t normally do this, but I think you guys should meet at least once.” We were engaged seven months later, and we got married seven months after that. She’s been there at the best of times and the hardest of times.

Nerses (Simon) Tchekmedyian Solid and hematologic malignancies Irvine 949-333-7580 Louis Vandermolen Breast cancer Newport Beach 949-646-6441 Jason Zell, DO Colorectal cancer, cancer prevention Orange 714-456-5151

NEONATAL MEDICINE Fayez M. BanyMohammed Orange 714-456-6933 Rebecca J. Coleman Resuscitation/ simulation, palliative care, breastfeeding, nutrition Orange 714-456-6933

David Hicks Orange 714-509-3096 Sudeep Kukreja Medical volunteerism Orange 714-509-4373 Jina Lim Orange 714-509-4373 Yona Nicolau Orange 714-456-6933 Monica Sondhi Orange 714-509-8882 Katarzyna Tesmer Medical aesthetics Orange 714-509-3096 Cherry Uy Orange 714-456-6933

NEONATALPERINATAL MEDICINE Amir Ashrafi Neonatal cardiovascular intensive care & hemodynamics Orange 714-509-4373 Muhammad Aslam Stem cells, neonatal chronic lung disease Orange 714-456-6933 Daryoush Bassiri Neonatal transport and educational outreach, EMR Orange 714-509-3096 Kushal Y. Bhakta Orange 714-509-3096 Christine Bixby Breastmilk medicine Orange 714-509-4373 Jung Hwang, DO Bronchopulmonary dysplasia Orange 714-509-3096 Marielle H. Nguyen KP

Developmental care premature infant, quality improvement Anaheim 888-988-2800

—As told to Valerie Takahama

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TOP DOCTORS 2024 Sandra ShortBartlett KP Life support, quality improvement Anaheim 714-644-7040

NEPHROLOGY Stephanie Cheung KP Anaheim 888-988-2800 Tam Pham KP Irvine 833-KP4CARE Ekamol Tantisattamo Kidney-pancreas transplantation, kidney donation, hypertension Orange 714-456-5142

NEUROLOGY Yama Akbari Neurocritical care, coma, consciousness, cardiac arrest Irvine 949-824-1888 Daniela A. Bota Neurological oncology Orange 714-456-7214 Sirichai Chayasirisobhon KP Epilepsy Anaheim 714-644-2325 Cyrus Dastur Neurocritical care Orange 714-456-7210 Mark Fisher Stroke neurology Orange 714-456-5091 Joey R. Gee, DO Headache, head trauma, dementia Mission Viejo 949-542-8002 Namita Goyal Neuromuscular disease Orange 714-456-2332 Ali A. Habib Neuromuscular disorders Orange 714-456-2332 Xiao-Tang Kong Neuro-oncology Orange 714-456-7214

Manisha Korb Neuromuscular neurology Orange 714-456-2860 Lilit Mnatsakanyan Epilepsy, clinical neurophysiology Orange 714-456-6203 Tahseen Mozaffar Neuromuscular disorders Orange 714-456-2238 Donald J. Phillips Pediatric epilepsy Orange 714-509-7601 Mona Sazgar Epilepsy Orange 714-456-6510 Sara Stern-Nezer Neurocritical care Orange 714-456-7890 Shuichi Suzuki Stroke, brain aneurysm, brain AVM Orange 714-456-6966 Gaby Thai Orange 714-456-6808

W H AT IT ’ S LI K E TO … Donna Baick Chronic pelvic pain, menopause, vaginal hysterectomy Tustin 714-838-8408 Jacadi Bignami Orange 714-997-9595 Julisa Bravo KP Teaching and mentoring Santa Ana 714-796-4812 Dennis Buchanan Fullerton 714-992-5350 Jennifer Butler Obstetric and gynecologic hospitalist Orange 714-456-7733 Christopher T. Donnelly KP Minimally invasive surgery Santa Ana 833-574-2273 Felice L. Gersh PCOS, menopause, comprehensive integrative women’s health Irvine 949-753-7475

OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY

Debra R. Gierut KP San Juan Capistrano 888-988-2800

Morris Ahdoot Infertility, highrisk pregnancy, menopausal symptoms Irvine 949-453-1173

Tabetha Harken Complex family planning Orange 714-456-7188

N. Elizabeth. Arovas KP

Minimally invasive gynecologic surgery, cervical dysplasia Santa Ana 888-988-2800 Monica Aszterbaum Minimally invasive Da Vinci robotic surgery Newport Beach 949-763-3106 Leon Baginski Laparoscopic/ robotic surgery, endometriosis, obstetrics Mission Viejo 949-276-6266

Christina Hong KP Minimally invasive gynecologic surgery, cervical dysplasia Irvine 888-988-2800 Candace Howe Chronic pelvic pain Newport Beach 949-646-2800 Janet Jacobson Complex family planning Anaheim 714-633-6373

Turn to PAGE 142 for the continuation of TOP DOCTORS 2024

persevere after a spinal cord injury AF TER AN ACCIDENT LEF T HER PARTIALLY PAR ALYZED, BETH SANDEN OF SAN CLEMENTE BECAME A RECORD - HOLDING MAR ATHONER WHO HELPS OTHERS BECOME ATHLETES.

bout 30 years ago, I started coaching with USA Triathlon and with USA Track & Field, and I also became a personal trainer. A year into personal training, I had a client who was an Ironman, and he dared me to compete in a triathlon. I said, “OK, but I don’t know how to swim,” and he said, “I’ll teach you.” We went to a fitness club, and he started training me. We did a sprint triathlon together, a small triathlon. You swim 500 yards, bike about 12 miles, and run a 5K. I got a bunch of other people involved, and we started doing sprint triathlons together. That’s what got me going. My accident happened in 2002. I was in a 50-mile bike race in Temecula. I was training for an Ironman. I was going down a hill pretty fast. I hit broken asphalt in the road on a right-hand turn, and my bike swung out beneath me and went down a ravine. I landed between my shoulder blades on that broken asphalt. I broke my back and became paraplegic. I was in a chair and laid up for almost two years. I went to physical therapy with a wonderful woman named Lissa Trevino. She’s the one who, besides God, got me up and out of the chair and got me walking. I got back into sports thanks to two friends here in town who heard about Challenged Athletes Foundation, which is a nonprofit for people with disabilities who want to get back into life with sports. CAF does a half Ironman once a year in San Diego, and throughout the year they are raising money to get durable medical equipment and sports equipment for disabled people, prosthetics for amputees, basketball wheelchairs, racing wheelchairs, and tennis wheelchairs. So my friends found out about this and said, “We’ll do the half Ironman as a team, and we’ll get you a race chair.” I hadn’t swum in 2 1/2 years. My friends asked a gentleman who is a paraplegic and swims, “Can you teach Beth to swim with no legs?” And he said, “Absolutely.” They threw me in the pool, and he showed me how to swim with just my arms. About three months later, I swam a mile and a half. I went to San Diego and saw lots of people who were disabled doing the half Ironman. And I’ve done that for 20-plus years, raising money for Challenged Athletes Foundation and helping people get into a sport. I’m also involved with Achilles International, which is a foundation in New York that helps our wounded warriors and other people do marathons. I’ve coached at the Marine base at Camp Pendleton for years.

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TOP DOCTORS 2024 To be selected for the 2024 Physicians of Excellence, applicants were required to meet the following baseline criteria:  Be certified by a member board of the American Board of Medical Specialties, a member board of the American Board of Osteopathic Medical Specialties, or an equivalency board recognized by the Medical Board of California or Osteopathic Medical Board of California  Be in good standing with Medical Board of California or Osteopathic Medical Board of California

 Maintain primary practice in O.C. for the past five years (post‑residency, fellowship training)

 Be in practice within specialty field for the past five years (post‑residency, fellowship training)

Applicants were required to meet at least two of these four criteria, as determined by the Selection Committee. Discretion was used.

PHYSICIAN LEADERSHIP  Recent (within past three years) positions as an elected or appointed member of a medical organization. Excludes full‑time paid administrative positions, though a paid position as a medical director is acceptable.  Recent (within past three years) elected/appointed positions as a member of a peer-review organization/journal. TEACHING/MENTORING/MEDICAL RESEARCH/SCIENTIFIC ADVANCES  Recent (within past three years, with at least one in past year) medical school or university faculty appointment and/or involvement in teaching of other physicians, medical students, and pre‑med students, or other healthcare professionals on an ongoing basis.  Delivering medical education (within past three years, with at least one in past year)  Currently (within three years) active in peer‑reviewed clinical research activities, have unique skills within field of nomination. Pharmaceutical clinical trials do not qualify. HUMANITARIAN SERVICE Current (within past three years, with at least one in past year) activities and names of affiliated organizations while serving as a volunteer physician outside applicant’s regular practice, not receiving compensation, or philanthropic activities supporting medicine. This does not include providing care as part of applicant’s regular practice for which applicant was not compensated. UNIQUE CONTRIBUTIONS AND COMMUNITY SERVICE  Current (within one year) significant community leadership positions such as PTA president, school board member, youth coach, scout leader, etc.  Community service outside medicine, or other unique contributions

Orange County Medical Association Executive Committee, 2023-24 William O. Woo, M.D., president Shalini Shah, M.D., president-elect Crispina Chong-Han, M.D., secretary-treasurer Vijay Dhar, M.D., immediate past president

Physicians of Excellence Selection Committee

Members of the OCMA Executive Committee and the Physicians of Excellence SelectionCommittee are not eligible to be selected as a Physician of Excellence.

I hold two Guinness World Records. The first one is I did a marathon on all seven continents, including the Antarctic, and I did the North Pole. The second world record is I did the highest road marathon in the world. We got to see Mount Everest from far off when we started our race. It was 18,000 feet, roughly. This was all done as a challenged athlete, a person who is not able to run, so I had to do it with a chair. I do it with my arms instead of my legs. photograph by SCOTT SMELTZER

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Then, in 2021, I was in a car accident, and again my lower back was injured. I couldn’t bear weight and couldn’t walk. I was on a walker and in a wheelchair. I had the surgery a year and a half later because I was hunting for the right neurosurgeon. I went into the hospital being in a chair, and I came out walking. In less than two weeks, I did a 10K at the Turkey Trot in Dana Point. Then I did a sprint triathlon right after that. I was back and racing again. —As told to Valerie Takahama

William Woo, M.D., chair, physician recognition committee; OCMA president; assistant chief of Family Medicine, Kaiser Permanente Orange County; volunteer clinical faculty, UC Irvine School of Medicine; volunteer clinical faculty, UC Riverside School of Medicine; past president, California Academy of Family Physicians Orange County Chapter; co-lead Kaiser Permanente Asian Pacific Islander Association Southern California Whitney Ayers, MPA, regional vice president, Hospital Association of Southern California Vivien Chan, M.D., DFAPA, DFAACAP; chief of psychiatry and mental health services, student health center, UCI; professor, department of psychiatry and human behavior, volunteer clinical faculty UCI Health Dona Constantine, R.N., B.S., senior risk management and patient safety specialist, Cooperative of American Physicians Inc. Jason Cord, M.D., OCMA physician recognition committee member; regional chief of Department of Inter-Regional Teleradiology, Southern California Permanente Medical Group; chief of radiology and interventional radiology, Orange County radiology, SCPMG; government relations lead, Orange County, SCPMG

Laura Dang, managing director, private client advisor at Bank of America Private Bank, Past Corporate Member OCMA Diane Dixon, Assemblymember for 72nd Assembly District Nicholas J. Dolle, CFP® Associate Vice President, Financial Advisor, Morgan Stanley Darla S. Holland, M.D., past president OCMA; delegate, CMA house of delegates; partner emeritus, SCPMG Kathy W. Nichols, Esq., senior associate, Carlson & Jayakumar LLP; board member, Orange County Bar Association, Health Care Section; women in medicine committee member, OCMA Doreen Rioux, DO, retired family practice physician at Providence St Jude Heritage Medical Group, 13-year recipient of Physician of Excellence Award Joanna Tan, M.D., past president, OCMA; chair, physician wellness, Providence St. Joseph OCHD; delegate, California Medical Association Medium-Size Group Practice Forum; Former CMA Trustee; Past Chair – CMA Medium Size Group Practice Forum. James Peterson, executive director, OCMA Mark Morones, director of membership, OCMA

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S P O N S ORE D CONT E NT

TOP MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS

PROFILING THE “BEST OF THE BEST” IN THE O.C. HEALTHCARE COMMUNITY

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TOP MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL S

NEWPORT CHILDREN’S MEDICAL GROUP Pediatrics, Adolescent Care, Pulmonary & Critical Care, Urgent Care, 7 days/week Caring for children takes a special commitment. Serving Orange County for more than 45 years, Newport Children’s Medical Group provides coverage from newborn and primary care to hospital and intensive care. Dr. Zach Reda, medical director: “We guarantee same day & virtual visits in one of our five locations.” NCMG offers 7-days-a-week office hours. When it comes to your child’s health, there is no substitute for experience. NCMG team are all board certified in pediatrics. Specialists with additional training in pediatric pulmonary & critical care, weight control and concussion management. 90

AWARDED 2024 PHYSICIAN OF EXCELLENCE

For the past 32 years Dr. Reda has served Los Angeles and Orange Counties in the fields of pediatrics, pulmonary and critical care & hospital medicine. His extensive experience with critically ill children has helped him make early diagnoses and ensured better outcomes for his patients. He was selected by his peers as one of the “Best Doctors of America.” He was also selected as one of the “Best Doctors in CA,” as featured in Los Angeles magazine for the past 15 years. He was voted by his peers in the Orange County Medical Association as one of the top doctors in his field, as seen in Orange Coast Magazine for the past 16 years. Every year, Dr. Reda participates in multiple international meetings

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TOP MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL S

DISTINGUISHED STAFF

to ensure the best care for his patients. He served on the faculty of UC Irvine and UCLA, and as medical director of PICU at Fountain Valley Regional Hospital for 15 years. NCMG offers pulmonary function testing, BMR caloric measurement, and in-house lab testing, among others. Exercise CPET helps evaluate endurance and exercise intolerance & asthma. “We don’t only provide high-quality care, we most importantly care,” says Dr. Reda. NCMG was voted best pediatric practice in Southern California, as seen on KCOP-TV Channel 13’s “Best of L.A.” TV show. • Guarantee same day sick visit [virtual or in person] • Drive Thru Covid testing PCR 1-hour results • Drive Thru Rapid Covid, Flu & RSV test 1 hour result • Covid Infection Control measures enforced • Telemedicine consultation seven days a week • All sick patients are required to be screened via telemedicine • Open 7 days a week including after hours and most holidays • 24/7 on-call board certified specialist response • Most insurance accepted including Coved California

Costa Mesa Office 1640 Newport Blvd., Ste. 210 Costa Mesa Hoag Hospital

Irvine Office 16300 Sand Canyon, Ste. 488 Irvine Hoag Irvine

Laguna Beach Office 31862 Coast Hwy., Ste. 302 Laguna beach Saddleback Memorial

Mission Office 26800 Crown Valley Pkwy., Ste. 510 Mission Viejo Mission Hospital

• Zacharia Reda, MD, FAAP, FCCP - Served OC + LA over 32 years - Honored as one of the “Best Doctors in America” - Honored by the OCMA and the Best Doctors in California as one of the Top Doctors for the past 16 years - Served as Chairman, Department of Pediatrics, and medical director of PICU at FVRH for 15 years - Served as associate medical director of Miller Children’s Hospital PICU - Trained and served on the faculty of USC, UCLA and UCI - Board certified in pediatrics and pediatric critical care & hospital medicine - Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics & College of Chest Physician • Alexander Tu, MD, FAAP - Trained at Georgetown, B.C in Pediatrics - Special interest in Newborns, International health & fluent in Mandarin - Honored as Castle Connelly Top Doctors in America since 2018 • Asha Misra, MD, FAAP - Trained at Monmouth University medical center, NJ - Board certified in Pediatrics - Special interest in Newborn and Adolescent Medicine - Served OC communities for over 30 years • Cara Todd, MD, FAAP - Trained at UC Davis - Board Certified in Pediatrics - Special interest in Newborn and Adolescent Medicine - Served OC communities for the past 28 years • Frances Duda, MD, FAAP - Trained at USC, special interest in adolescents & ADHD - Extensive experience serving OC over 45 years • Valerie Sheppard, MD, FAAP - Trained and served as chief resident at Loma Linda University. - Board certified in Pediatrics. - Honored as one of the Top Doctors OCMA, 2021, 2022 • Glenn Katz, MD, FAAP - Trained at Miami Children’s Hospital Florida - Extensive experience serving OC over 45 years • Johanna Rodriguez, MD, FAAP - Trained at the university of Puerto Rico, B.C. in Pediatrics - Special interest in newborns, adolescents & inpatient care - Honored as one of the Top Doctors OCMA & America for 3 years • Sandra Kellum, MD, FAAP - Trained & served on the faculty at St. Joseph Children Hospital, New York, college, NJ - Special interest in newborn & Adolescent care - Honored as on of the Top Doctors in Ca, 2022 • Jennifer Nguyen Simpson, MD, FAAP - Graduated from Ross University School of Medicine Trained at Flushing Hospital Medical Center in New York City. - Special interests in newborn care, behavioral & development and adolescent medicine - Dr. Simpson is fluent in English and Vietnamese • Kristoffer Roxas, MD - Graduated from Ross University School of Medicine - Trained and served as chief resident at Loma Linda University - Special interest in newborns, adolescents & inpatient care • Anh Rebhan, DO - Graduated from Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine, NY - Trained at Loma Linda University - Special interest in preventative medicine, newborns, and child development

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CITY OF HOPE ORANGE COUNTY CONGRATULATES OCMA 2024 PHYSICIANS OF EXCELLENCE From Left:

Robert Ash, M.D., Nairi Berner, M.D., Cory Hugen, M.D., Amanda Schwer, M.D., George Semeniuk, M.D., Samar Singh, M.D., Wade Smith, M.D., Nerses Simon Tchekmedyian, M.D., Nishan Tchekmedyian, M.D., Jeffrey Yoshida, M.D.

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For the fifth consecutive year, City of Hope Orange County’s board-certified physicianscientists have been recognized as Physicians of Excellence by Orange County Medical Association (OCMA). The prestigious honor recognizes physicians who stand out in their service to their profession, lifelong dedication to their patients, and commitment to the community they serve. City of Hope Orange County’s 2024 OCMA Physicians of Excellence practice at City of Hope Orange County Lennar Foundation Cancer Center and throughout City of Hope’s regional network, offering patients the most advanced cancer research and treatment in Orange County. They are: •

Robert Ash, M.D., a radiation oncologist who specializes in advanced radiation therapy for thoracic cancer, genitourinary cancer and breast cancer.

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•

Nairi Berner, M.D., an endocrinologist specializing in diabetes, endocrine and metabolism disorders.

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Cory Hugen, M.D., a urologist who specializes in bladder, kidney, testicular and other urologic cancers.

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Amanda Schwer, M.D., a radiation oncologist who specializes in advanced radiation therapy for breast, gynecologic, brain, hematologic and gastrointestinal cancers.

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George Semeniuk, M.D., a medical oncologist and hematologist who specializes in integrative oncology, head and neck cancer, lung cancer and skin cancer.

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Samar Singh, M.D., an endocrinologist specializing in diabetes, endocrine and metabolism disorders.

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Wade Smith, M.D., a medical oncologist specializing in breast cancer research and treatment.

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Nerses Simon Tchekmedyian, M.D., a medical oncologisthematologist who specializes in prostate cancer and therapeutics research.

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Nishan Tchekmedyian, M.D., regional medical director and a medical oncologist-hematologist specializing in lung and prostate cancers.

• Jeffrey Yoshida, M.D., medical director of urologic surgery and a urologist specializing in prostate cancer.

City of Hope Orange County thanks these dedicated physicians for the exceptional cancer care they provide to their patients and their families throughout the Orange County region. Hope is where cancer loses and life wins.

888.333.HOPE (4673) | CityofHope.org/OC January 2024 | OR AN G E COAST

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Top row left to right: Nurse Practitioner Mayra Sohn, Dr. Yoko Suzuki, Dr. Allan Akerman, Midwife Vicki Aphailee Bottom row left to right: Midwife Shayna McDaniel—Davis, Dr. Stephanie Lao, Nurse Practitioner Debbie Tobin and Dr. Jessica Barr

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AKERMANMED OBGYN & MIDWIFERY We take great pride in the distinctive qualities that define AkermanMed, as they highlight our dedication to providing exceptional healthcare services to women in Orange County. At the heart of our practice is a collaborative team of OBGYN Physicians, Midwives, and Nurse Practitioners who share a common goal — delivering safe and high-quality healthcare. We are honored to be the sole OBGYN group in Orange County with three convenient locations in Orange, Irvine, and Santa Ana, allowing us to extend our privileges for deliveries and surgeries to esteemed institutions such as HOAG Irvine, HOAG Newport, and St Joseph Hospital. Our approach is rooted in collaboration and expertise. At AkermanMed, you benefit from the support of a full team of experts. Each provider enriches our patients’ experiences through evidence-based medicine and a holistic approach. In surgical cases, both the primary surgeon and assistant surgeon work seamlessly as part of our dedicated team. Ensuring your health and safety is our top priority, and our valued team of providers, including Dr. Akerman, Dr. Lao, Dr. Barr, Dr. Suzuki, Midwives Vicki Aphailee, Shayna McDanielDavis, and Rachel Israel, along with Nurse Practitioners Debbie Tobin and Mayra Sohn, are all are all trained to integrate evidence with clinical expertise and patient values. Our patients recommend us not only for our excellent clinical outcomes but also for our great bedside manner, expertise, and compassionate care, all provided without discrimination. At AkermanMed, we guide and educate our patients, making them feel empowered about their healthcare. Our providers take the time to discuss preferences and options, ensuring you remain an active partner in your own care. We are humbled to have received the “three best rated” since 2019 and Yelp ‘s Beloved Business Recognition, awards that reflect our ongoing commitment to upholding the highest standards of care. Additionally, our specialists are proficient in languages beyond English, including Spanish, Tagalog, Japanese, and Korean, ensuring effective communication and inclusivity in patient care.

From left: Dr. Stephanie Lao, Dr. Allan Akerman and Dr. Jessica Barr

AkermanMed OBGYN & Midwifery 1310 West Stewart Drive, Suite 307 Orange CA 92868 714-633-0886 1220 Hemlock Way, Suite 200 Santa Ana CA 92707 714-966-9795 22 Odyssey Suite 200 Irvine CA 92618 949-253-7626 akermanmd.com January 2024 | OR AN G E COAST

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HOAG PRIME From Left:

Michael A. Waldman, MD, FACP Ani Baghdassarian, MD Terra Safer, MD Joseph Weiland, DO

Discover Hoag Prime, a membershipbased practice that provides you with added benefits and features to complement your overall health care experience. Your peace-of-mind matters, and for just $125 per month, you get access to an expanded care team comprised of your primary care physician, dedicated medical assistant, clinical care coordinator and member concierge assistant. Hoag Prime physicians offer longer visit lengths, same day appointments, minimal wait time, and coordination of specialty care. The group’s selection of experienced physicians offer personalized care, compassion and expertise when you need it most. In practice for over 30 years, Dr. Michael Waldman is a leading internal medicine physician and is well versed with a variety of chronic and severe illnesses. Additionally, he is instrumental in helping his patients with routine management of common problems with the eyes, ears, skin, and nervous system.

As the daughter of a physician, Dr. Ani Baghdassarian has been exposed to many facets of medicine since childhood. She chose internal medicine as her area of focus as it affords her the opportunity to look at each patient from head to toe and provide an integrated and customized healthcare solution. She enjoys helping people treat their current symptoms while educating them about the importance of preventative care. Trained and board certified in both Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Dr. Terra Safer has the unique ability to treat patients of all ages from newborns to seniors. Not only is being a Med/Peds physician a great benefit to her patients, but this also affords her the ability to treat multiple generations of the same family. She joined Hoag Prime because she was drawn to the core principles which allows her to make sure that patient care and their experience comes first. An Orange County native, Dr. Joseph Weiland chose to align himself with

Hoag due to the high standards of care to which the institution is committed. In fact, it was a critical family experience at Hoag which first served as his inspiration and calling to pursue a career in medicine. As a Hoag Prime physician, Dr. Weiland offers his patients an enhanced health care experience that is patient-centric and results-driven. Ready to take your primary care experience to another level? Learn more about Hoag Prime today. HoagPrime.com | 949-763-7141 Hoagmemberships@hoag.org

Locations • 360 San Miguel Drive, Suite 105 Newport Beach, CA 92660 • 16405 Sand Canyon Avenue, Suite 240 Irvine, CA 92618

Hoag Prime Membership Benefits

Hoag Prime ($125 Per Month) Accept PPO Insurance

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More Time With Your Doctor

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Same Day Appointments

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Minial Wait Time

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In Office Phlebotomy Services

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Clinical Care Coordinator

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Membership Coordinator

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Traditional Primary Care (No Fee) ✓

AWARDED 2024 PHYSICIAN OF EXCELLENCE January 2024 | OR AN G E COAST

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RADIATION ONCOLOGY

CENTER FOR CANCER PREVENTION AND TREATMENT Providence St. Joseph Hospital Orange From Left:

Tanuja Bhandari, MD, Robert B. Ash, MD, Venita L. Williams, MD

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Cancer treatment requires a collaborative multidisciplinary environment that is a hallmark of the Radiation Oncology department at Providence St. Joseph Hospital Orange, located in the Center for Cancer Prevention and Treatment (CCPT). At our state-of the-art facility, Doctors Robert Ash, Tanuja Bhandari and Venita Williams apply sophisticated technology to design treatment plans that precisely target tumors. Pinpoint accuracy ensures cancer cells receive the most intense radiation while sparing surrounding normal tissues and organs. The CCPT at Providence St. Joseph Hospital offers full radiation oncology services for both adults and children, using the latest equipment and techniques, including intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT), image-guided radiotherapy (IGRT), stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) and radiosurgery (SRS). This is possible with the most

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versatile Varian platform, the TrueBeam linear accelerator. Our department is the first in the country to acquire iterative cone beam CT (iCBCT) providing superior imaging for image-guided radiotherapy. Expertise in brachytherapy for gynecologic, breast and skin malignancies can also be found here. Accreditation by the American College of Radiology attests to the high-quality standards of our Radiation Oncology program. Board certified and appointed City of Hope assistant professor faculty in 2018, Dr. Ash, Dr. Bhandari and Dr. Williams provide our patients with the utmost in compassionate whole-person care. In collaboration with multiple specialists onsite, our radiation oncologists are experts in breast, lung, gastrointestinal, liver, pancreas, gynecologic, prostate, bladder, skin, sarcoma, leukemia/lymphoma, head and neck, spine, and brain cancers. Our patients benefit from disease specific nurse navigators, dieticians, social workers, and physiotherapy/wellness professionals. Numerous industry-sponsored and national cooperative group clinical trials, including NRG Oncology,

SWOG and COG protocols, enroll participants through our Cancer Research department, providing access to the most innovative treatment options here in Orange County. A cancer diagnosis is overwhelming. Having the right medical team in place can make all the difference. If you or a loved one need radiotherapy treatment, the doctors at Providence St. Joseph Hospital Orange are the trusted choice for comprehensive care.

Radiation Oncology Center for Cancer Prevention and Treatment Providence St. Joseph Hospital Orange 1000 West La Veta Avenue Orange, CA 92868 714-734-6250 cityofhope.org sjo.org/cancer January 2024 | OR AN G E COAST

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BANA KASHANI, MD, FACOG Obstetrics and Gynecology Reproductive Endocrinology Infertility

Dr. Banafsheh Kashani is double board-certified in both Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility and Obstetrics and Gynecology and has been treating infertility patients since 2014. Her practice is focused on treating patients as a whole where she dedicates her time to providing compassionate care with a very personalized approach. She knows that patients and couples are unique and treatment should be focused on the patient goals with individualized care to maximize success rates. Dr. Kashani describes her practice as a boutique, concierge-styled fertility practice and says “We lead with compassion and offer each patient the kind of customized care they deserve.” Dr. Kashani’s expertise was derived from her extensive educational training. After graduated graduating cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa from the University of California, Irvine, Dr. Kashani received her medical degree from University of South Alabama, College of Medicine where she graduated in the top of her class.She completed her residency training in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Southern California. There she received tremendous experience in all facets of Obstetrics and Gynecology, with special interest in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility. She continued her medical training and pursued a subspecialty in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at Rutgers, New Jersey Medical School. Dr. Kashani has conducted extensive research in female reproduction focused on the endometrium and implantation. She has written papers reviewing the medical management of fibroids and the effect of fibroids on fertility. Additionally, Dr. Kashani has authored papers in the areas of fertility preservation, and fertility in women with PCOS and Turners syndrome. She also was part of a large SART-CORS study evaluating the trend in frozen embryo transfers and success rates. Dr. Kashani provides her patients with the most personalized approach to fertility services and treatments. She understands that infertility treatments can be overwhelming and her practice mission is to ensure patients feel comfortable and cared for.

AWARDED 2024 PHYSICIAN OF EXCELLENCE Bana Kashani, M.D., FACOG 23141 Moulton Parkway Suite 205 Laguna Hills, CA 92653 banakashanimd.com 100

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Left to right: Elizabeth Dilday, MD, FACOG; Sina Abhari, MD, FACOG

CCRM FERTILITY OF NEWPORT BEACH Sina Abhari, MD, FACOG | Elizabeth Dilday, MD, FACOG

When your dreams of starting a family require the support of caring and experienced fertility experts, CCRM Fertility of Newport Beach (formerly Newport Fertility Center) provides the dedicated and individualized care you need. Led by Drs. Sina Abhari and Elizabeth Dilday, CCRM Fertility specializes in the most advanced fertility treatments, with deep expertise in fertility counseling and assessment, different fertility treatment options tailored to individual’s needs including intrauterine insemination (IUI), in vitro fertilization (IVF), preimplantation genetic (PGT) testing, fertility preservation, LGBTQ+ family building, and third-party reproduction, including donor gametes and use of a gestational carrier. CCRM Fertility’s diverse and caring doctors partner with each patient to develop custom-tailored analyses

and treatments, and its dedicated team of in-house embryologists and molecular geneticists work together to consistently deliver some of the highest success rates in the country, consistently above the national average. Our physicians are highly involved with state-of-the art innovations in the field through research and participation in national and international committees. No matter what your fertility journey looks like, CCRM and our team of fertility experts is where to begin. What patients are saying about CCRM: “Professional, knowledgeable and allaround wonderful to work with.” “After 5 years of unexplained infertility and 2 failed attempts with IUI with a different highly reputable health center, I am currently almost 6 months pregnant thanks to them. The entire office staff works as a team, are incredibly kind,

patient, and understanding, and are always willing and able to answer any questions you have throughout the process.” “At every appointment I felt so well taken care of and listened to.” “Everybody is so genuinely friendly, responsive, and helpful.”

AWARDED 2024 PHYSICIAN OF EXCELLENCE CCRM Fertility of Newport Beach 3501 Jamboree Road, Suite 1100 Newport Beach, CA 92660 949-222-1290 ccrmivf.com January 2024 | OR AN G E COAST

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Dr. Afifi and two of her patients

GHADA AFIFI, MD, FACS Plastic Surgery

For almost 25 years, Dr. Ghada Afifi has been recognized as a double-boardcertified plastic surgeon whose skillful, artistic facial and body rejuvenation techniques leave patients looking like themselves – only better. Patients come to Dr. Afifi wishing to look as young as they feel, while avoiding the “overdone and over-filled” appearance that has become relatively too common. “My antioverdone approach focuses on minimally invasive procedures that help restore a more youthful look without giving away the fact that patients had surgery. Often, even patients’ friends and family are not aware they’ve had surgery, but comment that they notice improvements. I also love facilitating each patient to be their true authentic self: so they do what’s best for them, not under pressure from social expectation or temporary beauty fads.” 102

Ivy League trained at Yale and University of Pennsylvania, Dr. Afifi is often called upon to help patients separate fact from fiction regarding plastic surgery trends. “I sometimes have to correct the effects of work done elsewhere, as some patients mistakenly assume cosmetic surgeons are plastic surgeons when they are not may not even be surgeons. My goals for patient care are to educate, empower, and show empathy.” Many patients also seek Dr. Afifi’s skills for non-surgical rejuvenation. “Many of my patients prefer to have their treatments performed by a plastic surgeon. They seek the injector’s skills, not just the product, so being treated by a surgeon familiar with their anatomy leads to optimal results.” In addition to facial rejuvenation, Dr. Afifi specializes in breast and body contouring,

having a particular niche in breast implant removal and fat transfer. As a female plastic surgeon, Dr. Afifi sees many new patients and also has a large following of loyal patients. “I’m honored that my patients feel great after their procedures. They look good, feel good, and that often translates into being confident and doing good. Their feedback is incredibly fulfilling for me, and it’s entirely why I absolutely love to do what I do.” Ghada Afifi, MD, FACS 1101 Dove Street, Suite 130 Newport Beach, CA 92660 949-767-7444 2200 East Fruit Street, Suite 205 Santa Ana, CA 92701 AfifiMD.com | plasticsurgeryclinic.com

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DANIEL S. YANNI, MD, FAANS Disc Comfort, Inc.

Dr. Daniel S. Yanni is a board certified and spine fellowship trained neurosurgeon – one of the few surgeons in the country who specializes in Minimally Invasive and Complex Spine Surgery. Rated number one by his peers and patients alike, Dr. Yanni is a visionary in the research and development of innovative approaches to surgical procedures. Dr. Yanni’s unique approach is focused on personalized treatment plans and compassionate, individualized care. “We are among a handful of remaining independent practices where patients are actually treated like family,” says Dr. Yanni. “We know our patients and their family, provide a range of treatment options, and ensure patients feel empowered about choosing the treatment plan that is right for them.” More than a career path, neurosurgery is a true calling for Dr. Yanni. As a teenager, Dr. Yanni’s interest in medicine piqued in a high school anatomy class. He went on to graduate summa cum laude from UCLA in Neuroscience. After graduating from UCLA, Dr. Yanni continued on to medical school at the University of California, San Diego where his passion for Neurological Surgery further flourished. Prior to private practice, Dr. Yanni was on faculty at the School of Medicine and the Director of the Comprehensive Spine Neurosurgery Service at UC Irvine collaborating with his Orthopedic Spine colleagues. Given his academic background, you will always get first and second opinions for each recommended procedure, giving you the confidence you need to make informed care decisions. Ever focused on innovation, Dr. Yanni performs spine surgery through key-hole sized incisions, a minimally invasive procedure that allows patients to be released within hours or days and return to work within weeks. He also performs traditional open surgery for complex, deformity, and revision cases. “We bring the wealth of knowledge from the University academic experience and marry it to a private practice concierge style model that provides the highest caliber of personalized care.”

AWARDED 2024 PHYSICIAN OF EXCELLENCE

Disc Comfort, Inc. 1501 Superior Avenue, Suite 214 Newport Beach, CA 92663 949-515-0051 office | 949-515-0052 fax yannimd.com January 2024 | OR AN G E COAST

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JOHN PARK, MD Newport Beach Plastic Surgeon

“My priority as a plastic surgeon is the health and happiness of my patients. I am dedicated to providing a personalized approach, first by listening to each patient’s goals and concerns, followed by patient education and treatment planning that is tailored just for each person.” Dr. John Park is the only plastic surgeon in the country who is double board certified in Plastic Surgery and Ophthalmology, with subspecialty training in Oculoplastic Surgery. With his unique background and expertise, he applies the best knowledge and techniques to address each patient’s aesthetic goals. Dr. Park believes the most important things to do as a physician is to listen. Each patient is unique and has different goals they would like to achieve. Dr. Park provides quality, compassionate care utilizing a well-designed, proven, personalized surgical approach. Nothing is more rewarding for Dr. Park than sharing in the joys and positive experience with each patient. Dr. Park graduated from UC Berkeley and earned his medical degree at the USC Keck School of Medicine. He then completed an ophthalmology residency at The Johns Hopkins Hospital, the top ranked program and one of the best hospitals in the country, and a two-year Oculoplastic Surgery fellowship at the Mayo Clinic, the top-ranking hospital in the nation, and at the University of Minnesota. Dr. Park then completed his plastic surgery residency at UC Irvine. With his unique specialty and subspecialty training and experience, Dr. Park serves as faculty at UC Irvine, training future plastic surgeons and oculoplastic surgeons. As a plastic surgeon committed to providing patients with natural-looking results, Dr. John Park provides quality, compassionate care utilizing a proven, safe, and personalized surgical approach to help his patients look and feel their very best. AREAS OF EXPERTISE • Facelift

• Tummy Tuck

• Necklift

• Body Contouring

• Breast Augmentation

• Mommy Makeover

• Breast Lift

• Browlift

• Liposuction

• Eyelid Surgery

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AWARDED 2024 PHYSICIAN OF EXCELLENCE John Park, MD 180 Newport Center Drive, Suite 170 Newport Beach, CA 92660 949-354-6556 johnparkmd.com

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CHOC CHILDREN’S SPECIALISTS OTOLARYNGOLOGY From left:

Gurpreet Ahuja, MD, Kevin Huoh, MD, Cosette Audirac, PA-C, Qiu Zhong, MD, Jay Bhatt, MD, Nguyen Pham, MD, and Brooke Su-Velez, MD Expertise, integrity, and professionalism. These are the attributes that form the foundation of the Otolaryngology Division of CHOC Children’s Specialists. The CHOC Pediatric Otolaryngology Division is the only group in Orange County that is exclusively dedicated to pediatric ear, nose and throat disorders. The division’s highly acclaimed surgeons are all board-certified and have received their pediatric fellowship training at various top institutions in the country. The division’s surgeons are completely dedicated to providing compassionate and comprehensive care for ENT problems in children of all ages–from newborns to teens-while fostering a trusting and professional relationship with our patients and their families. The three senior members, Dr. Ahuja, Dr. Pham and Dr. Huoh have been recognized by the Orange County Medical Association as “Physicians of Excellence”.

multidisciplinary clinics, consistent with CHOC’s commitment to providing the finest care to all of OC’s children. The division is fully committed to providing state-of-the-art treatment options for routine as well as complex pediatric ear, nose, throat-head and neck disorders. The division’s areas of expertise range from common management of tonsil and adenoid disorders and recurrent ear infections, to management of complex airway abnormalities, pediatric sinus disease, cleft lip and palate defects, gastroesophageal reflux related ENT issues, voice and speech problems, surgical management of head and neck masses and birth defects, and surgical management of hearing loss.

The division’s doctors actively participate in a variety of CHOC Children’s Hospital’s

SPECIALTIES

• Intracapsular tonsillectomy/ adenoidectomy • Cochlear implants and BAHAs • Congenital and Acquired Masses of the Head and Neck • Surgical Management of Voice and Swallowing disorders • Airway reconstruction • Surgery for Sleep Apnea • Cleft Lip and Palate • Sinus Disease • Pediatric thyroid and parathyroid surgery

AWARDED 2024

• Vascular and Lymphatic Malformations • Anterior skull Base surgery

PHYSICIAN OF EXCELLENCE

Our surgeons are available at five convenient locations throughout Orange County as listed below: 1010 W. La Veta Avenue, Suite 710 Orange, CA 92868

446 Old Newport Boulevard Newport Beach CA 92663

250 E. Yale Loop, Suite 200 Irvine, CA 92604

770 Pacific Coast Highway Seal Beach CA 90740

26691 Plaza, Suite 130 Mission Viejo CA 92691

714-633-4020 | specialists.chocchildrens.org/otolaryngology January 2024 | OR AN G E COAST

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JOHN SAITO, MD, FAAP, FCCP

Board Certified in Pediatrics, Pulmonary, and Sleep Medicine Dr. John Saito is especially focused on finding “Toxic Nights” and fixing “Toxic Sleep,” both terms that he coined to represent poor nighttime situations combined with poor sleep quality due to disordered breathing plus hypoxia (lack of oxygen). He likens the ill-health effects of these conditions to finishing a 16-hour marathon in the desert and then drinking water that’s not only dirty but is contaminated by a silent, tasteless, and odorless toxin such as lead. Dr. Saito emphasizes that failure to identify and treat “Toxic Nights and Toxic Sleep” results in “abnormal brain wiring and ultimately, a bricked brain” that is unable to properly process life situations, incorporate new information, and/or empathize with others. Chronic injury to the brain’s neuro-network from these toxicities increases risk of anxiety, depression, ADHD, and dementia. Prolonged exposure to “Toxic Nights and Toxic Sleep” increases risk of metabolic derangements resulting in heart disease, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, kidney failure, cancer, and premature death. As a spokesperson for the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, Dr. Saito frequently speaks on topics including healthy sleep duration in children and adults, the role of consumer sleep technology, chronic insomnia, and drowsy driving, along with sleep-related diseases such as obstructive sleep apnea. Dr. Saito is skilled in diagnosing and treating pulmonary and sleep disorders in patients of all ages, from infancy through elder care. As the director of the Saito Rejuvenation Center, he says the most rewarding aspect of his work is helping clients breathe well, sleep well, and live well. Dr. Saito received his medical degree from Temple University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pa., and completed his residency at Orlando Regional Health System, Orlando, Fla. His pediatric pulmonology fellowship was completed at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, N.C. His sleep training was completed at Cook Children’s Medical Center, Fort Worth, TX. He specializes in the care of children and adults with asthma, 106

chronic lung disease, and obstructive sleep apnea along with insomnia, restless leg syndrome, and narcolepsy. Lastly, Dr. Saito and his wife are especially committed to helping charities that support our veterans overcome toxic sleep and ultimately achieve the optimal health they deserve. “In doing so, they will get more sleep in their nights, more life in their days, and finally more days in their life.”

AWARDED 2024 PHYSICIAN OF EXCELLENCE Appearance Center of Newport Beach 180 Newport Center Drive, Suite 164 Newport Beach, CA 92660 949-200-1615 AppearanceCenter.com

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TALBERT ANESTHESIA GROUP Outpatient Surgery is Our Specialty To Our Patients, Surgical Colleagues, and Surgery Center Partners: Talbert Anesthesia Group (TAG) is honored and privileged to be included and recognized in this year’s Top Doctors of Orange Coast magazine. We strive to provide world-class anesthesia in the outpatient surgical settings. Thank you for your support and recognition. Since 2011, we have proudly grown our practice by over 433% to better serve the communities of Orange County. With patient safety being our top priority, we treat the mind, body and spirit, one patient at a time. Our mission in outpatient anesthesia has always been to maximize patient safety and comfort, while minimizing undesirable postoperative side effects. This ensures a comfortable and speedy patient recovery.

TAG’s skilled anesthesiologists have developed excellent working relationships with surgeons, nursing staff, and administration. We prioritize and facilitate optimal efficiency and high-quality care in the perioperative arena of elective outpatient surgery. We strive to minimize anesthesia expenses to our surgeons and their facilities through exemplary care, lean and effective anesthesia utilization, and efficient turnovers. TAG understands and endeavors to fulfill the special needs of our surgeons and surgery centers. Thank you for entrusting Talbert Anesthesia Group as your world-class anesthesia provider. We hope to continue serving the communities of Orange County for many years to come. Sincerely, Talbert Anesthesia Group

AWARDED 2024 PHYSICIAN OF EXCELLENCE Talbert Anesthesia Group P.O. Box 3685 Costa Mesa, CA 92628 949-287-3722 www.talbertanesthesia.com January 2024 | OR AN G E COAST

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RANJAN GUPTA, MD Shoulder surgeon/ board-certified orthopaedic surgeon

Dr. Ranjan Gupta is an award-winning, internationally recognized surgeon with expertise in shoulder surgery and brachial plexus injuries. Respected by both patients and peers for his clinical and academic excellence, Dr. Gupta’s practice sees a high volume of shoulder surgery, ranging from minimally invasive arthroscopic procedures to fracture management and shoulder replacements. With over 20 years of experience in his field, Dr. Gupta remains dedicated to providing exceptional patient care. Patients seek his expertise for complex surgical revisions, traveling from across the country for his clinical judgment and positive outcomes. He ensures that patients understand not only the purpose of their surgical procedure but also the risks and how to maximize their healing and recovery. Passionate about education and research, Dr. Gupta has not only received teaching awards from his students and surgical trainees, but also consistently contributes to the field by performing and publishing both clinical and basic science research. He has authored more than 110 publications, while training and mentoring the next generation of young orthopedic surgeons. Internationally recognized for numerous awards and regularly named a Best Doctor and Super Doctor for his outstanding achievements, Dr. Gupta has an international reputation as a surgeon-scientist. “I am inspired by seeing how a patient’s quality of life improves after surgery, whether it be by decreased pain, or improvements in their range of motion and function. My goal is to help people return to the activities they love.”

AWARDS The only orthopaedic surgeon to be recognized with all of the following awards:

• NIH Career Development Award from the National Institute for Neurologic Disorders & Stroke

• Marshall Urist Young Investigator Award from the Association of Bone & Joint Surgeons • Kappa Delta Award from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgery and the Orthopaedic Research Society

• Sterling Bunnell Traveling Fellowship from the American Society of Surgery of the Hand • American-British-Canadian Traveling Fellowship from the American Orthopaedic Association

• Joseph H. Boyes Research Award from the American Society of Surgery of the Hand

• Andrew J. Weiland Medal from the American Society of Surgery of the Hand

University of California, Irvine 101 The City Drive South, Pavilion III Orange, CA 92828 orthopaedicsurgery.uci.edu

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• Charles S. Neer Award from the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeon recognizing outstanding clinical investigations contributing to the understanding, care and prevention of injuries to the shoulder

DISTINCTIONS • Best Doctors (2011-2023) • Super Doctors (2012-2023)

AREAS OF EXPERTISE • Shoulder replacement (anatomic and reverse) • Minimally-invasive arthroscopic shoulder surgery • Rotator cuff injuries • Brachial Plexus Injuries • Shoulder Fractures and Instability

2126 Gillespie Neuroscience Research Facility Irvine, CA 92697 RanjanGuptaMD.com

AWARDED 2024 PHYSICIAN OF EXCELLENCE

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RAHUL BHOLA, MD, MBA, FAAP Pediatric Ophthalmology

An internationally recognized expert in Pediatric Ophthalmology and Adult Strabismus, Dr. Rahul Bhola has over 20 years of experience specializing in the complete array of pediatric eye disorders and adult strabismus. Dr. Bhola has contributed immensely to the advancement of pediatric ophthalmology in Orange County and beyond. Dr. Bhola has received numerous awards both nationally and internationally and has published extensively in peer-reviewed journals. He has been elected “Best Doctors in America” and “America’s Top Ophthalmologist” consecutively for many years. As an astute physician leader, Dr. Bhola is at the forefront of healthcare innovation and has championed many quality improvement and patient safety initiatives while integrating cutting-edge

medical advancement in his clinical practice. Respected in his field, Dr. Bhola currently serves as the Section Chair of Ophthalmology at Children’s Hospital of Orange County, California. He is the Editor and Co-founder of “Ophthalmology Business Minute”, a nationally circulated magazine exploring latest business, leadership, and strategic initiatives in the field of Ophthalmology. Dr. Bhola holds leadership roles in many national and international eyecare organizations. Dr. Bhola currently serves on the Board of American Academy of Ophthalmic Executives (AAOE) and scientific bureau of World Society of Pediatric Ophthalmology (WSPOS). Dr. Bhola’s current research interests are focused on controlling the global myopia pandemic and diseases causing irreversible vision loss in

pediatric population such as amblyopia, strabismus, retinopathy of prematurity and hereditary retinal disorders. He is passionate about the role of artificial intelligence in innovation and transformation of healthcare and is currently working on developing predictive algorithms for many pediatric ocular disorders.

AWARDED 2024 PHYSICIAN OF EXCELLENCE Rahul Bhola, MD, MBA, FAAP 1120 West La Veta Avenue, Suite 100 Orange, CA 92868-3874 714-509-4490 choc.org/providers/ophthalmology/ rahul-bhola-md January 2024 | OR AN G E COAST

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MATTHEW J NYKIEL, MD

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon As an internationally recognized aesthetic body contouring expert, Dr. Matthew J. Nykiel is both an esteemed educator who trains other physicians in body contouring techniques and a highly regarded speaker. A decorated board-certified plastic surgeon and international VASER Liposuction Trainer, Dr. Nykiel’s attentive, perceptive, and talented skills make him a sought-after plastic surgeon to many actors and influencers, and anyone seeking exceptional results. Dr. Nykiel exclusively uses the most advanced technologies and techniques to perform his innovative surgeries, all while holding true to his mission: empowering self-expression, goal-setting, improving happiness, and educating. Never one to pursue a cookie cutter approach, Dr. Nykiel helps patients achieve their goals using a personalized treatment plan. He is a leading expert in butt augmentations, Brazilian Butt Lifts also known as BBL, liposuction, VASER lipo, high-definition liposuction also known as high def lipo, tummy tucks, body contouring, and breast augmentation. His stellar work has been featured in high profile publications such as People, OK!, BET, New Beauty, and more. He has appeared on Sirius XM The Doctors channel, as well as Fuse TV. Dr. Nykiel and his associates make it their priority to provide a welcoming, safe environment to ensure the confidence and wellbeing of patients before, during, and after their cosmetic procedure. Your safety, mental, and physical health are his practice’s number one priority. In addition to body contouring and enhancement, Dr. Nykiel’s menu of services also includes a variety of MedSpa and non-surgical procedures such as fillers, Botox, Dysport, and microneedling. Dr. Nykiel has been helping people achieve their aesthetic beauty goals for more than a decade – he can help you, too.

Matthew J Nykiel, MD 1401 Avocado Avenue, Suite 501 Newport Beach, CA 92660 949-429-0890 110

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MICHAEL K. LEE, MD, FACS Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon

Dr. Michael K. Lee is a highly trained, double board-certified Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon. His area of expertise encompasses cosmetic and reconstructive procedures of the face, breast, and body. Dr. Lee specializes in breast augmentation, breast lift and reduction, breast implant removal and revisions, mommy makeover, tummy tuck, high-definition liposuction, Brazilian butt lift, facelift, rhinoplasty, eyelid rejuvenation, and more. In addition, he provides comprehensive care after cancer treatment, facial fractures, and trauma. Known for his compassionate and personable approach, Dr. Lee helps patients achieve exceptional outcomes by truly listening to all of their concerns. Dr. Lee’s practice is built on dedication, precision, meticulousness, and a passion for excellence. He believes in taking the time to listen to the patient and formulating a plan together that can be tailored to meet their wants and needs. Dr. Lee grew up on the beautiful island of Oahu in Hawaii. He received his medical degree at the John A. Burns School of Medicine at the University of Hawaii. Dr. Lee then underwent surgical training at the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. He served as Administrative Chief Resident and was awarded by his peers as the Best Chief Resident. He continued his training with a fellowship in Plastic Surgery at the University of California, Irvine. Every patient experience is unique, and Dr. Lee believes in guiding a patient to unlock and enhance their natural beauty. “My greatest joy is helping a patient realize that they can achieve a goal, whether it is being happy with themself after overcoming cancer or helping them gain self-confidence,” he says. “It is a true honor to be a part of a patient’s journey, and in the end, I want to be able to exceed their expectations.”

CREDENTIALS & ACCOLADES • Diplomate of The American Board of Surgery • Diplomate of The American Board of Plastic Surgery • Elvin L. Shelton Award for Excellence • The Dr. Frank and Mary McDowell Award for Excellence in Surgery

AWARDED 2024 PHYSICIAN OF EXCELLENCE Michael K. Lee, MD, FACS 26800 Crown Valley Pkwy, Suite 410 Mission Viejo, CA 92691 949-364-2277 michaelkleemd.com January 2024 | OR AN G E COAST

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MICHELLE ASZTERBAUM, MD The Dermatology Center of Newport

Dr. Michelle Aszterbaum is a board-certified dermatologist who has been consistently awarded Physician of Excellence. She has over two decades of experience in skin cancer treatment and prevention as well as cosmetic technologies, bringing the latest breakthroughs to her boutique practice. Dr. Aszterbaum and her team at the Dermatology Center of Newport take pride in being known for offering patients an unhurried and personalized visit with special attention to detail, providing the highest quality care in medical and cosmetic dermatology. Dr. Aszterbaum is past-president of the Orange County Dermatological Society, a former academic Assistant Professor at UC San Francisco and she presently holds an appointment as Assistant Clinical Professor at UC Irvine. She holds a double board certification in dermatology and Mohs micrographic surgery and continues clinical research on skin cancer prevention in high risk populations. “I’m very interested in the science of the skin. For the last 25 years, I have continued my original research career on people with a high risk for developing the most common type of skin cancers, testing medications and supplements that help reduce their risk,” says Dr. Aszterbaum, whose work has been published in several journals, including the New England Journal of Medicine. In addition, Dr. Aszterbaum offers state-of-the-art antiaging treatments for facial skin rejuvenation. Mindful of her patients’ busy lifestyles, she emphasizes gentle treatments that result in only minimal downtime while offering age-defying and natural-looking results. “We have many tools to reverse sun damage and the effects of gravity. These tools can make a dramatic difference in and really contribute to a person’s selfconfidence.” Dr. Aszterbaum enjoys communicating her latest learnings to her patients. “We provide dermatology care with a customized and caring approach,” she explains. “I was raised in Orange County– I treat all of my patients like family.”

AWARDED 2024 PHYSICIAN OF EXCELLENCE The Dermatology Center of Newport 360 San Miguel Drive, Suite 406 Newport Beach, CA 92660 949-525-0700 | dermatologyofnewport.com 112

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THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, IRVINE DEPARTMENT OF ORTHOPAEDIC SURGERY The Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of California, Irvine, is founded on a commitment to the highest caliber of clinical care, cutting edge research, and innovative education. The Department’s expertise includes all aspects of musculoskeletal medicine including minimally invasive joint replacement, orthopedic oncology, cartilage regeneration, nerve repair, endoscopic spine surgery, and other services not available elsewhere in Orange County. The department has grown significantly as part of a concerted effort to improve patient access to world class orthopaedic services and in preparation of the 2024 opening of the new UCI Health medical campus in Irvine. Representing the only University-based orthopedic providers in Orange County, the department’s faculty have been selected by their peers for membership in exclusive international organizations including the Cervical Spine Research Society, the Scoliosis Research Society, the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons, and the Association of Bone and Joint Surgeons. As members of these organizations and others, the department presented or published over 100 peer-reviewed research projects in the past year, by far the most of any group in Orange County, and they continue to receive awards and competitive funding for their ongoing work.

UCI Health Orthopaedic & Spine Center 101 The City Dr. South, Pavilion 3 Orange, CA 92868 714-456-7012

UCI Health Orthopaedic & Sports Medicine Center 1640 Newport Blvd., Ste. 100 Costa Mesa, CA 92627 949-515-5210

UCI Health Tustin 1451 Irvine Blvd. Tustin, CA 92780 714-838-8878

Additionally, the department is particularly proud that its faculty are frequently asked to take care of other physicians’ families and friends. As a result, our surgeons have been selected for a variety of physician-nominated awards including: 2024 Orange County Medical Association Physicians of Excellence Award: Nitin Bhatia, M.D., Ranjan Gupta, M.D., Andrew Hsu, M.D., Yu-Po Lee, M.D, Greg Rafijah, M.D., John Scolaro, M.D., Dean Wang, M.D. 2023 and 2024 Southern California Super Doctors and Rising Stars: Nitin Bhatia, M.D. (Hall of Fame, 13 consecutive years), Ranjan Gupta, M.D., Yu-Po Lee, M.D., Greg Rafijah, M.D., John Scolaro, M.D., Andrew Hsu, M.D., Jesse Kaplan, M.D., James Learned, M.D., Philip Lim, M.D., Russell Stitzlein, M.D.

AWARDED 2024 PHYSICIAN OF EXCELLENCE

UCI Health Gottschalk Plaza 1 Medical Plaza Dr. Irvine, CA 92697 949-824-8600

UCI Health Laguna Hills 23961 Calle De La Magdalena, Ste. 200 Laguna Hills, CA 92653 949-238-4100

UCI Health – Irvine Campus Opening summer of 2024 Jamboree Road and Birch Street Irvine, CA

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KATERINA KURTEEVA, MD

Board Certified Ophthalmologist with twenty years in practice Medical Director at California Eye Associates Tired of staring at screens all day long? Digital eye fatigue has become a top health concern. One downside is that the blinking reflex that is closer to every 5-7 seconds now extends to 20-30 seconds which results in ocular surface exposure and rapid evaporation of the protective tear film. Here are some helpful tips to reduce dry eye and eye fatigue: • Take 20 second breaks every 20 minutes to look 20 feet away • Use preservative-free artificial tears by a major ophthalmic brand such as Refresh, Systane or Thera tears • Visit an ophthalmologist to discuss the state of ocular surface and tear production as well as eyelid health Dr. Katerina Kurteeva is the first ophthalmologist in Orange County to offer Forma-I, a breakthrough for dry eye treatment, especially for challenging cases associated with autoimmune disorders like hypothyroidism, Sjogrens, and Lupus. Forma-i is the first FDA-approved radiofrequency device that warms delicate eyelid skin with radiofrequency without damaging the eye surface. The warming effect is done with energy delivered within specific parameters by trained personnel in a series of four treatment sessions two weeks apart. Forma-i treatment not only perks up sluggish meibomian glands that stabilize the tear film and help retain tears and crisp vision, but it also stimulates collagen formation and tightens loose eyelid skin providing a nice aesthetic benefit. “Our office staff has performed Forma-i treatment on patients who report significant improvement in dry eye symptoms where other avenue of treatment did not succeed,” says Dr. Kurteeva. Radiofrequency is a novel and safe approach to dry eye treatment and meibomian gland dysfunction, reducing the incidence of styes or chalazia, and helping you maintain comfort during the working hours and at rest. California Eye Associates 1441 Avocado Avenue, Suite 206 Newport Beach, CA 92660 949-500-0427 caleye.com Instagram: @California_Eye_Associates 114

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VIKAS RAO, MD, FAANS Orange County Neurosurgical Associates Dr. Vikas Rao is a highly regarded board-certified fellowship-trained neurosurgeon specializing in brain surgery, cerebrovascular and endovascular neurosurgery, brain tumor treatments, and minimally invasive spine surgery. As one of only a few “dual-trained” vascular neurosurgeons in Orange County, Dr. Rao’s areas of expertise include both surgical treatments and minimally invasive endovascular treatments for the management of brain vascular diseases. Dr. Rao’s training allows for the effective treatment of brain aneurysms, stroke, brain bleeds, arteriovenous malformations (AVMs), and carotid stenosis. “When it comes to treating complex cerebrovascular disorders like brain aneurysms, we can either offer surgery or minimally invasive catheter-

based treatments via a tiny nick in the wrist or groin. We offer patients both options and allow them to weigh the pros and cons to make an informed decision on their treatment plan.” A highly skilled brain tumor surgeon, Dr. Rao trained at the world-famous MD Anderson Cancer Center and offers the latest technology and treatments for brain tumors including awake craniotomies, minimally invasive “keyhole” approaches for brain surgery, computer guided surgical tools, fluorescent guided tumor surgery and stereotactic radiosurgery. In addition, Dr. Rao believes in performing “hairsparing” and cosmetically sensitive brain surgery. Dr. Rao is sought after not only for his expertise, but also his personalized

approach to patient care. “As a small team, my practice is able to provide patients personalized attention – you are not caught in a big system that is hard to navigate,” he says. “ I spend a lot of time with my patients and try to explain everything in as clear a manner as possible so that they are informed about their options.”

AWARDED 2024 PHYSICIAN OF EXCELLENCE Orange County Neurosurgical Associates 26732 Crown Valley Pkwy, Suite 541 Mission Viejo, CA 92691 949-388-7190 drvikasrao.com January 2024 | OR AN G E COAST

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BEACH EYE MEDICAL GROUP Board Certified Eye Physicians and Surgeons From left:

Dr. Khalil Semaan, Dr. Frank Abella, Dr. Hema Ramkumar, Dr. Kevin Jwo, Dr. Samir Shah, Dr. Anna Do, Dr. Jane Kim, Dr. Jonathan Go, Dr. Joseph Ridenour, Dr. Tae Kim (not pictured)

Accolades aside, Beach Eye Medical Group’s commitment is to their patients first. Utilizing the latest technology in eye care, delivery of the best visual outcomes is their first priority. In the field of cataract surgery, they offer 116

options for vision correction that include multifocal, extended depth of focus, and toric intraocular lenses for minimal dependence on glasses after surgery. They are also the first in Orange County to offer the Light Adjustable Lens Plus™ with the latest generation compact Light Delivery Device, which allows for vision to be adjusted after cataract surgery. As among the elite practices in the country offering cataract surgery with the use of a femtosecond laser, this unparalleled precision leads to world class outcomes. The physicians of Beach Eye Medical Group are honored to have many of their fellow physicians trust them with the care of their own family members. “We love what we do,” says Dr. Shah, “and it is a privilege to help our community See The Best!”

SPECIALTIES

• Custom Laser Cataract Surgery • Glaucoma • Dry Eye • Corneal Transplantation • Oculofacial Plastic Surgery • Adult Strabismus & Neuro-Ophthalmology • Retina & Vitreous Surgery • Comprehensive Eye Exams • Optometry

AWARDED 2024 PHYSICIAN OF EXCELLENCE

LOCATIONS

Founded in the 1970’s, Beach Eye Medical Group has a long-standing history of excellence in patient care. From a single physician practice, Beach Eye has grown to four stateof-the-art locations that include all key subspecialties within the field of Ophthalmology. Samir A. Shah, MD, MS, FACS leads a team of highly skilled eye physicians and surgeons that have trained at the world’s leading institutions including Johns Hopkins, Harvard, Stanford, Duke, UCLA, and USC. Having performed well over 50,000 eye procedures, the doctors of Beach Eye Medical Group are among the most experienced eye care professionals in Southern California. As leaders in their respective fields, they have published peer-reviewed journal articles, written book chapters, and played a role in teaching future generations of ophthalmologists in the United States and abroad.

Huntington Beach 18582 Main Street Huntington Beach, CA 92648 714-965-9696

Long Beach 2650 Elm Avenue, Suite 108 Long Beach, CA 90806 562-427-5409

Irvine 4870 Barranca Parkway, Suite 210 Irvine, CA 92604 949-978-9696

Newport Beach 520 Superior Avenue, Suite 295 Newport Beach, CA 92663 949-969-9696

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MARCUS ROSENCRANTZ, MD, FACOG Reproductive Health and Wellness Center Reproductive Health and Wellness Center in Laguna Hills is a leading fertility center known for its outstanding patient care, low costs, and high pregnancy success rates. Dr. Marcus Rosencrantz founded RHWC in 2019 and has quickly built a reputation in Orange County and beyond for providing highly personalized fertility care in a boutique setting. “Our center provides the latest in cutting-edge embryo science by utilizing the most state-of-the-art technologies available,” says Dr. Rosencrantz. “Together, we create personalized plans tailored to each patient, optimizing their chances for successful conception.” Dr. Rosencrantz is a double boardcertified Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility specialist. He completed his OBGYN training and infertility fellowship at the University of California San Diego. He relocated to Orange County, CA and ultimately founded

Reproductive Health and Wellness Center fueled by a passion to help people build or grow their families. At Reproductive Health and Wellness Center, you are not “just a number.” Dr. Rosencrantz and his team will meet with you at every visit because your fertility and reproductive well-being is their top priority. “I have the privilege of working with a remarkable team, dedicated to delivering outstanding care to each and every one of our patients,” adds Dr. Rosencrantz. “It’s both an honor and a pleasure to work alongside such gifted colleagues, and we are eager to extend our expertise to assist you in realizing your dream of building your family.”

Reproductive Health and Wellness Center 23141 Moulton Pkwy., Suite 204 Laguna Hills, CA 92653 949-516-0606 reproductivehealthwellness.com

SERVICES • Diagnostic testing and evaluations • Male and Female fertility tests • IVF • Intrauterine insemination • Ovulation induction • Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection • Egg Freezing • Donor Egg IVG • Male Fertility Care • Surrogacy • Preimplant Genetic Testing

AWARDED 2024 PHYSICIAN OF EXCELLENCE January 2024 | OR AN G E COAST

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SHARON MOAYERI, MD OC Fertility® + OC Biogenix® Dr. Sharon Moayeri is proud to be named a Top Doctor for the second year in a row. A double-board certified Reproductive Endocrinologist and Fertility expert, she founded OC Fertility® in Newport Beach in 2009. Trained at UC Irvine and Stanford, Dr. Moayeri relocated her IVF lab in 2022, introducing OC Biogenix®—an onsite IVF Laboratory and Surgical Suite. This move marked a pivotal step in creating a seamless and enriched treatment experience. The mission of OC Fertility® is to guide patients comprehensively through the fertility process, fostering a supportive environment at every step of their journey to parenthood. Dr. Moayeri emphasizes a patient-centric approach, 118

technology, with complementary support services. The goal is to enhance clinical outcomes and the overall patient journey by incorporating educational content and collaborating with integrative healthcare professionals, mental health experts, acupuncturists, and nutritionists. As the only physician, woman-owned, and led, comprehensive Orange County Fertility Center, OC Fertility® + OC Biogenix® takes pride in being hands-on, trauma-informed patient advocates. Putting patients at the center of decision-making in their care sets the center apart. Looking ahead to 2024, OC Fertility® + OC Biogenix® plans to expand services, extend care beyond the region, educate the community, and

advocate for equality in reproductive services. The commitment to community engagement and the growth of families remains at the forefront of their vision.

AWARDED 2024 PHYSICIAN OF EXCELLENCE

OC Fertility® + OC Biogenix® 1401 Avocado Avenue, Suite 403 Newport Beach, CA 92660 949-706-2229 ocfertility.com

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THOMAS RAMBACHER, DPM, FACFAS, FAPWCA Podiatry Hotline Foot and Ankle

Dr. Thomas Rambacher is known for his compassionate, patient-centered care and his emphasis on podiatric-specific patient treatment plans. Whether you come in with complaints of ankle pain or problems with bunions, you can feel confident that Dr. Rambacher will take the time needed to uncover the root of your concerns. “We never take a one-size-fits-all approach to podiatry care,” says Dr. Rambacher. “Our personalized treatment plans are developed with each patient’s age, lifestyle, activity level in mind. We also consider any other medical diagnoses that may factor into the healing process. Then, we design the most minimally invasive treatment plan possible to help patients get back to the activities they enjoy, with minimal down time.”

DISTINCTIONS • Fellow of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons • Fellow of the American Professional Wound Care Assoc.

• Double Board Certified in Primary Care in Podiatric Medicine and Surgery • Cutting edge technology in a compassionate environment • Podiatry Hotline gives you direct access to the doctor

• Diagnostic Podiatry identifies underlying conditions for accurate diagnosis • Friendly Staff

• Contracted with most insurance AREAS OF EXPERTISE • Regenerative Medicine

• Surgical Alternatives

• Plantar Fasciitis

• Corns and Calluses

• Bunions

• Sports Medicine

• Laser and Toenail Fungus • Peripheral Neuropathy

• Minimally Invasive Surgery

• Virtually Painless Surgery

• Arthritis

When it comes to foot and ankle care, Dr. Rambacher is known for his commitment to providing his patients with the most innovative treatment options. His practice incorporates numerous alternatives to traditional surgery and wound care, and with dual certifications in traditional surgery and wound care to his credit, he is uniquely qualified to treat multiple medically complex concerns. Ever on the leading edge, he specializes in minimally invasive surgical procedures and regenerative medicine to safely and effectively accelerate the natural healing process. Dr. Rambacher also offers ultrasound treatments, interferential treatments, radio frequency treatments, pneumatic medical treatments, and herbal medicines. Known for his solution-minded approach, Dr. Rambacher emphasizes podiatric care that offers patients an accurate diagnosis and personally-tailored treatment plans – the first time. “Our goal is always to get the diagnosis right the first time. By taking this approach, we help our patients avoid painful and costly corrective procedures later.”

• Cracks and Fissures • Flat Feet

• Hammer Toes

• Wound Care Specialist

Podiatry Hotline Foot and Ankle 26302 La Paz Road, Suite 101 Mission Viejo, CA 92691 Office: 949-916-0077 Text: 949-203-1803 podiatryhotline.com January 2024 | OR AN G E COAST

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LAWRENCE B. WERLIN, MD, FACOG HRC Fertility Center, Newport Beach We are celebrating 41 years of helping couples create their families in Orange County. Dr. Lawrence B. Werlin is one of the nation’s most noted Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility (REI) specialists. He pioneered the use of Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD) in Southern California. He believes that educating patients regarding their fertility and their options is paramount. In addition, he informs the younger population about fertility preservation and freezing their eggs for the future. This gives them a better understanding and hope of what the field of reproductive medicine can achieve. Dr. Werlin has been one of Orange County’s leading providers of reproductive care to infertility patients since 1982. “Our lives are connected to our patients, and it becomes a lifetime relationship. Our patients keep us in 120

their lives and update us on all their milestones.” Dr. Werlin has joined the esteemed HRC Group in Newport Beach. The center’s primary goal is personalized patient care, and its dedicated staff are widely recognized for their compassion, as well as their special attention to the individual needs of their patients.

HONORS AND AWARDS • Orange Coast Magazine’s Physicians of Excellence 2005-2023

• Los Angeles Magazine’s Super Doctors 2008-2023 • America’s Best Doctors 1996-2020

AWARDED 2024

• America’s Most Compassionate Doctor 2010-2014

PHYSICIAN OF EXCELLENCE

• Patient’s Choice Award 2008- 2014

HRC Fertility Newport Beach 20360 SW Birch Street Newport Beach, CA 92660 949-287-5600 havingbabies.com

• Who’s Who in America 1998-2014 • Who’s Who in Medicine and Healthcare 2002-2010

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From left: Karina Cardoso, Kenneth San Nicolas, Eva Bianchi-Martinez, Jessica Rivera, Careesa Garcia, Wendy Cant, Robert M. McCarron, DO, DFAPA, Kamilah McGuire, Miki Kitamura

ROBERT M. MCCARRON, DO, DFAPA UCI School of Medicine – TNT Fellowships As the Founding Director for the UC Irvine Train New Trainers (TNT) Primary Care Psychiatry (PCP) and the TNT Primary Care Training and Education in Addiction Medicine (PC-TEAM) Fellowships, Dr. Robert McCarron also serves as a Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine and Associate Dean of Continuing Medical Education at the UCI School of Medicine. He also serves as Director of Education at the UCI Susan Samueli Integrative Health Institute (SSIHI). Passionate about advancing the quality of care in whole-person behavioral health, Dr. McCarron explains that the UCI School of Medicine TNT Primary Care Fellowships are longitudinal, oneyear learning modules offering over 50 hours of targeted training. The mission? To expand and optimize the behavioral health workforce in a meaningful and sustainable manner, while providing mentorship and teaching in primary care psychiatry or addiction medicine, particularly to providers in underserved

areas. The program is administered by Wendy Cant, MBA, administrative director, and Kamilah McGuire, MHA, program director for TNT fellowships. They oversee six team members and work with more than 55 TNT faculty. “Our trainees learn how to complete an evidence-informed and compassionate psychiatric interview in a busy primary care or general medical setting and are trained to effectively diagnose and treat commonly encountered psychiatric conditions such as mood, anxiety, psychotic, and substance use disorders,” he explains. “Most importantly, these trainees will learn how to teach these principles to their primary care colleagues who work in underserved areas.” Robert M. McCarron, DO, DFAPA UCI School of Medicine – TNT Fellowships 5141 California Avenue Irvine, CA 92617 949-824-4910 medschool.uci.edu/tnt

TNT AWARDS • 2023 American Psychiatric Association Psychiatric Services Achievement Award • 2019 American College of Psychiatrists Award for Creativity in Psychiatric Education • 2017 TNT PCP Fellowship Alan Stoudemire Award • Grants totaling $28.6 million from the California Department of Health Care Access and Information

AWARDED 2024 PHYSICIAN OF EXCELLENCE January 2024 | OR AN G E COAST

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Louis Vandermolen, MD

Greg Angstreich, MD

Diana Hanna, MD

Umair Ghani, MD

An Nguyen, MD

Minh Nguyen, MD

USC NORRIS COMPREHENSIVE CANCER CENTER CONGRATULATES ITS ORANGE COUNTY TOP ONCOLOGISTS Our team of expert physicians has more than 25 years of dedicated service to Orange County, and we proudly recognize our 2024 Orange Coast Magazine Physicians of Excellence: Louis Vandermolen, MD, is one of Orange County’s most respected medical oncologists. He specializes in treating breast and lung cancer, myeloma and lymphoma. Greg Angstreich, MD, is triple board-certified in medical oncology, hematology and internal medicine. He specializes in treating genitourinary cancers and all blood disorders. Diana Hanna, MD, is an active and widely published clinician scientist. She provides wholistic cancer care that emphasizes the patient’s overall wellness. Umair Ghani, MD, is triple board-certified in medical oncology, hematology and internal medicine. Dr. Ghani’s research interests include prostate cancer and integrating technology in clinical practice. 122

An Nguyen, MD, treats all cancer types and specializes in gastrointestinal and breast cancers. He speaks fluent Vietnamese and provides compassionate care that honors each patient’s cultural background. Minh Nguyen, MD, treats multiple cancer types and hematologic disorders while specializing in gastrointestinal and lung cancer. He works with local physicians to ensure patients’ convenient access to the highest standards of care. He speaks fluent Vietnamese. To make an appointment with one of our best-in-class physicians, call (949) 646-6441.

AWARDED 2024 PHYSICIAN OF EXCELLENCE

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Dr. Alex Dastgheib, salutatorian at the University of Paris Sorbonne Medical School (in French, his 3rd of 5 languages) pursued excellence in ophthalmology in the US. He completed residency specialty training at the renowned Duke University Eye Center as well as four fellowships in ophthalmology at Johns Hopkins Wilmer Eye Institute, The National Eye Institute at National Institutes of Health, The Moran Eye Center of University of Utah, and Dubroff Eye Center, Silver Spring, Maryland.

ALEX DASTGHEIB, MD West Coast New Vision Institute

Alex Dastgheib, MD (pronounced DAST-GABE), a highly sought after ophthalmologist, is restoring the sight of people over the age of 50 whose vision has deteriorated due to age. He performs lens-based procedures, including the first ophthalmologist at Hoag to offer the light adjustable lens, to provide a more youthful, permanent clear vision with the goal of eliminating the need for corrective lenses at all distances. As Dr. Dastgheib says, “My

patients and I are truly excited about these never-before-seen results we’re achieving.” From an early age Dr. Dastgheib knew that he wanted to be a doctor. He recognized that all people deserved to have the best available medical care regardless of their social or economic background. His passion, research and life has been dedicated to helping patients achieve the best possible outcome in their vision.

In 1994, during his training in ophthalmology, Dr. Dastgheib was a pioneer in the discovery of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) in exudative “wet” age-related macular degeneration, previously the leading cause of incurable blindness in the western world. Subsequently, since the advent of anti-VEGF medications in the mid-2000s, it is estimated that approximately 20 million people worldwide have been saved from macular degeneration blindness so far. In recognition of this groundbreaking contribution to ophthalmology, The Dastgheib Pioneer Award in Ocular Innovation was established at Duke University in 2014. This annual Award recognizes leading pioneers in ophthalmology whose discoveries are reshaping the field of ophthalmology. Dr. Dastgheib focuses on cataract surgery as well as other eye diseases. In 2022, he won the Challenging Cases Session of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery for a first in the world in cataract surgery safety and results by restoring full sight to 325 consecutive patients who were blind from cataract.

West Coast New Vision Institute 520 Superior Avenue, Suite 335 Newport Beach, CA 92663 12665 Garden Grove Boulevard, Suite 301 Garden Grove, CA 92843 949-652-6966 | wcnvi.com January 2024 | O RAN G E COAST

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March 21–24, 2024 at The Gardens on El Paseo

TYLER FLORENCE

DOMINIQUE CRENN

JAMIE GWEN

ZAC YOUNG

GALE GAND

AFRIM PRISTINE

MARY SUE MILLIKEN

SUSAN FENIGER

ONE OF THE LARGEST GATHERINGS OF CHEFS ON THE WEST COAST Thursday, March 21, 2024 – The Gale Gand Guide to Cooking with Spices Thursday, March 21, 2024 – Cheese Masterclass with Afrim Pristine Friday, March 22, 2024 – James Beard Gourmet Four-Course Luncheon Saturday, March 23, 2024 – Saturday Grand Tastings Saturday, March 23, 2024 – Celebrity Chef Reception Sunday, March 24, 2024 – Sunday Brunch Sunday, March 24, 2024 – Sunday Grand Tastings

palmdesertfoodandwine.com

TYLER FLORENCE PHOTO BY JASON PERRY

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