Southbay Health II 2016

OURSOUTHBAY.COM

OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALIST

KK CLARK

DISPLAY UNTIL APRIL 2017

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CONTRIBUTORS Siri Berting, Michele Garber,

Discipline

I

don’t like being told what to do. As I type this letter, my brain urges me to get it turned in on deadline, while my post-holiday weekend body pleads for an hour of morning TV on the couch. The struggle is

real. My mind and body especially love to get into it when it comes down to health. Do I need to end my evening with a delicious but caloric-rich piece of pecan pie? My

424-220-6337 | marcie@moontidemedia.com Account Executive | Amy Tetherow

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Account Executive | Robin Sanders PHOTOGRAPHERS 818-427-2050 | robin@moontidemedia.com Kristin Anderson, Jeff Berting, Siri Berting, Tameka Jacobs, Shane O’Donnell, Lauren Pressey

mind replies, “Nah, you’re good.” My body, fork in hand and lustily walking to the fridge, has other ideas: “One little slice won’t kill ya.”

Or Thanksgiving eve when my hubby and I decided to book a spin class at 8 a.m. the following morning. “Just think of all the calories you’ll burn off before you chow down later that day!” my Pollyannaish mind tells me as I settle into my pillow with the alarm clock set. Fast-forward to dawn, and my body chimes in unexpectedly: “Gee, pancakes in bed and the Macy’s parade sound awfully swell.” Curses.

I wish I could say with confidence that my mind wins over my body each time. It doesn’t. Sometimes my body is telling me to slow down and smell the roses, and other times it’s just being plain lazy. I’m getting better at spotting the difference. And much of that comes with discipline. While I like to think I have the personal willpower to convince my body to stick to the plan every time, it can be downright stubborn.

I’ve learned that having a partner—be it a friend, a trainer, a health professional, etc.—helps keep us on track. My own little community of health lifestylers empowers my mind and gets my body in line. Perhaps there is something to be said for strength in numbers.

And I did go to that spin class on Thanksgiving morning, thanks to the added support of my hubby. It made the extra piece of pie I enjoyed later that day all the more worth it.

—Darren Elms, Editor

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SOUTHBAY HEALTH II 2016

MANAGING PARTNERS Charles C. Koones

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MARKETING & OPERATIONS Partner/Brand Publisher | Emily Stewart Partner/Managing Director, Media & Analytics | Warren Schaffer Brand Publisher | Hannah Lee Associate Brand Publisher | Cherice Tatum Director of Digital | Charles Simmons Director of Film & Video | Bryce Lowe-White Art Director | Angela Akers Operations Manager | Allison Jeackjuntra Marketing Manager | Rachel Gotko Marketing Manager | Danielle Price Accounting | Janet De La Cruz No part of this periodical may be reproduced in any form or by any means without prior written consent from Moon Tide Media, LLC. Any and all submissions to this or any Moon Tide Media, LLC publication become the property of Moon Tide Media, LLC and may be used in any media. We reserve the right to edit.

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42 COVER OF KK CLARK IN ACTION PHOTOGRAPHED BY

Board Brothers Beck Cherry & Cash Cherry

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Control, Alt, Repeat Understanding preventative medicine

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Hoop Dreams Julia Pate-Winstead

Media Ode to joy and beauty

106 Bring It, 2017

Mind, Body & Spirit Jason Estrada Q&A Dr. Paul Knittel On Her Game KK Clark

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JEFF BERTING

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Rockin’ Rider Dennis Bales Pull of the Ocean Melissa Disharoon Keep the Coast on Your Left Paddling from MB to TJ

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EL PORTO SIBLINGS BECK CHERRY AND CASH CHERRY LIVE TO SURF, AND THEY’RE PUTTING IN THE TIME REQUIRED TO BECOME THE BEST. WRITTEN BY STEFAN SLATER | PHOTOGRAPHED BY JEFF BERTING

eck Cherry and Cash Cherry share a passion for surfing. But like most brothers, the two have different takes on the sport. Cash, 14, prefers longboards and considers Robert “Nat” Young to be his surfing inspiration. (Cash says that Young’s powerful, title-claiming performance at the 1966 World Championship has been a major influence on his surfing style.) Cash is pensive, sharp, a little quiet and tends to pause before speaking—weighing his words.

Beck, 16, is more forthcoming. He laughs a bit more and is quick to verbally jab his brother—albeit in a friendly fashion. When Cash mentions that it was his father who introduced him to surfing, Beck quickly jumps in and says— with a laugh—that he’s the one who introduced Cash to the sport. “He never gives me credit,” Beck says, smiling. He’s more of a new-school surfer: He looks up to John John Florence and rides a short twin-fin.

And, of course, they both have different surfing goals. Cash, who won a World Surfing Association Under 14 longboard competition in Huntington Beach earlier this year, wants to refine his old-school style and advance his competitive game.

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Beck’s and Cash’s Year in HEALTH Daily Itinerary Beck: Wake up at 5:30, eat breakfast, check the surf and in the water by 6:30. “The Mira Costa surf team surfs at 26th Street, so I skate there from my home and surf for an hour.”

Eat another breakfast and then go to school. “After school I might surf again, do homework, play guitar and doodle. Weekends I sleep in, but then I go and surf for an hour or two.”

Cash: “I like to wake up at 4:30, but I’m usually up at 6 a.m.” Tuesdays and Thurs-

“I want to learn how to ride fins-first,” he says, “and get

day he does Manhattan Beach Middle School Surf PE at the Manhattan Beach Pier

bigger waves. I want to win a local contest this winter, but

until 7:45 a.m. “After school I go home, do homework and go surf again. I have guitar

I mostly want to surf better and have more fun. I want to

lessons on Thursdays. Otherwise I usually surf out in front of the house. I like to play

be able to surf the way I want to surf.”

music and write too. On the weekends I’ll surf all morning.”

Beck, who’s on the Mira Costa High School surf team and recently ranked in the top 10 for Boys Beach Flags

Diet

during the 2016 California Lifeguard Championships, not

Beck: “I drink almond milk. I’m allergic to wheat and dairy. I eat a lot of coconut

only wants to advance his surfing skills but he also wants

products, like coconut milk and coconut yogurts. We make a lot of eggs, sausage

to keep surfing for as long as possible. “I want to be able

and bacon for breakfast.”

to surf my whole life,” he says. “Unless you’re a pro, you won’t be surfing competitively into your 40s.”

Cash: “No dietary restrictions. I like to have extra butter and veggies in my lunch. We don’t eat much bread, but we eat a lot of bacon and butter.”

Outside surfing, the boys have their own creative pursuits. Cash has a knack for “cubing” (i.e., playing with a Rubik’s Cube), and he also enjoys composing music—his

Workout Routine

favorite instrument is the classical guitar. He also writes

Beck: “I skate on my Carver. And during the school year I go to Level 10 Fitness with

fiction, and his favorite author is J.R.R. Tolkien.

my surf team. It’s a good workout, especially for surfing. We did a lot of boxing. I also want to do more yoga.”

Beck is an artist, and he enjoys painting and drawing in his spare time. He also designs T-shirts, screenprinting them in his bedroom and selling them locally at

Free Time Cash: Competitive speed cubing and writing: “I’m working on a prologue and first chapter of a fantasy book.”

Spyder Surf.

Even though their end goals are slightly different, they’re both dedicated to and passionate about surfing.

Both are up before dawn regularly to surf, and they often

Beck: Design T-shirts: “I’m an artist and play the electric guitar. Classic is fun, but

paddle out right after school too—putting in as many

I’m big on electric.”

hours each week as their schedule permits.

Other Favorite Activities

health and diets all revolve around surfing. Beck does

Beck: “I like to slackline. It’s pretty fun, and it helps with my balance.”

strength training and wants to practice yoga to improve

They check the surf methodically, and their fitness,

his flexibility, and Cash watches surf videos to improve

Guilty Pleasures

his tricks. Competitive goals aside, both love surfing for a

Beck: Cookies, gluten- and dairy-free

simple reason: It’s fun.

Cash: Uncle Eddies Vegan Cookies

just smiles and says, “Because I can go fast.” n

Cash puts it best when asked about why he surfs. He

Ideal Wave Height Beck: “It’s not about wave height for me—it’s about conditions. It can be 10+ feet, and if it has no power I’m OK. It depends on the conditions. I would like to surf Hawaii waves. Biggest wave I ever surfed was bigger than double overhead at PV Cove. I was really scared.”

Cash: “Biggest for me is double overhead. I feel comfortable in waves up to about that big. I haven’t been out in anything bigger.”

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SOUTHBAY HEALTH II 2016

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Control, Alt, Repeat A Redondo Beach naturopathic practitioner sheds some light on alternative methods in disease prevention and achieving overall well-being.

WRITTEN BY LUIS RAMOS ILLUSTRATED BY CHRISTINE GEORGIADES

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SOUTHBAY HEALTH II 2016

A

lthough much has been accomplished in the field of medi-

of an early adopter of these types of community outreach programs.

cine and fabulous advances have been developed to treat

Accredited practitioners who offer informational and instructional

diseases, much more can be done to achieve a degree of

classes/workshops through health food and nutrition stores are another

total health and well-being. Our current model to suppress

great resource for additional instruction.

or treat the symptom is simplistic and limited in its approach.

A bill has been presented to Governor Brown that includes some of

In many cases it is not until the disease has become chronic that symp-

the CAM modalities to be included in the list of approved treatments for

toms will appear, and it is then that the medical establishment will act very

Medi-Cal and Medicaid. This will bring CAM more to the forefront and

aggressively. Even then the actions taken are to eliminate or suppress the

provide a more affordable option to health care.

outward manifestation of the disease by attacking the symptom.

In theory we should be getting every nutrient, vitamin and mineral the

This approach has been very effective with acute diseases like broken bones, physical traumas, wounds, bacterial or viral infections, and

body needs from our food exclusively. In order for our body to assimilate the nutrients, vitamins and minerals we need, the digestive system needs

other situations where the duration of the imbalance is of

to be functioning at full capacity. In modern times, the duo

very short duration and the external manifesta-

of a good digestive system and a good food source

tion—the symptom—paints the whole picture

is sometimes nonexistent due to the over-cul-

of the disease.

tivation of our soils and the high processing

In today’s environment where

of foods.

sanitation, changing regulations

Our soils are lacking the nutrients

about food safety and probiotics

necessary to produce healthy

have basically eliminated the outside source of bacterial/ viral infections, we have to face more complex, multifaceted problems in health care. Our scientific community hasn’t been able to develop solutions for the numerous health challenges we face at present.

The majority of deaths that occur today are due to chronic biological imbalances.

The doctor of the future will give no medicine, but will interest his patient in the care of the human frame, in diet and in the prevention of disease.

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) could be the missing

to produce enough to supply an ever-growing population. Couple this with the use of growth hormones and antibiotics in meats, and we have reached a point where our digestive system is so overtaxed that diseases once present only in the older popula-

“Prevention from disease,” as Edison

scientific advances in allopathic medicine along

Most alternative disciplines recognize the human being as a composi-

and insecticides to be able

issues—even in childhood.

part of the equation. When we take all the

winning combination that is both effective and long-lasting.

and more chemical fertilizers

tion have today become common

– THOMAS A. EDISON

with the common sense approach of CAM, we have a

foods, with farmers using more

mentioned, could be interpreted as healthy lifestylea balance between the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of the body … one that provides not only the resources to survive but to thrive. We need to remember that what’s

tion of three bodies: physical, emotional and spiritual. The approaches for

most important is not how long we live but how well we live. A life with

total healing should encompass all three forms.

disease or a threat of disease at every turn is not a life of happiness. What

Acupuncture, acupressure, massage, Reiki, aromatherapy, homeopathy, flower essences, nutrition, yoga, qigong and many other modalities

we need is a life full of vitality and good health.

How do we improve our health, you may ask? The answer is complex

are used to create a complete balance between the emotional, physical

but at the same time simple: digestion, assimilation and elimination are

and spiritual bodies to promote homeostasis—thereby promoting healing.

the key to good health. Try to ingest foods rich in nutrients and enzymes,

These modalities are gaining traction in mainstream medical circles.

drink sufficient water and do fun, sweaty activities (exercise) every day.

Extended Credit Units (continued education) in these disciplines are

Assimilation of nutrients is accomplished during the digestive process,

becoming more commonplace. Many schools and hospitals offer addi-

and the elimination of waste—a byproduct of our digestion—needs to

tional instruction for nurses and health care workers. In addition, many

occur with daily regularity.

hospitals offer alternative therapy classes for the community in partnership with practitioners in the field.

Torrance Memorial Medical Center in the South Bay is a good example

We need to go back to basics in order for the body to survive and prosper. We need good air, good water, good food, exercise, and mental and emotional balance. n

SOUTHBAY HEALTH II 2016

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Hoop

Dreams

BLINDNESS DOESN’T DAMPEN JULIA PATE-WINSTEAD’S PASSION FOR EXERCISING HER BODY AND HER CREATIVITY. WRITTEN BY NANCY SOKOLER STEINER PHOTOGRAPHED BY SIRI BERTING

SOUTHBAY HEALTH II 2016

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V

enture to Torrance’s Wilson Park on farmers market day, and you’ll find more than vendors selling seasonal produce, baked goods and

prepared foods. You’ll also encounter joggers and skateboarders, and you’ll likely see a slim, blond woman hula-hooping. As the hoop gyrates, she spins, slows and quickens the rotations, and twirls the hoop over her head.

“It’s like having a funnel on top of my head pulling the stress out of my body,” says Julia Pate-Winstead, aka The Happy Hooper.

“Hooping is low-impact and works the whole body. It’s therapy for me.”

Julia always brings an extra hoop or two, encouraging passersby to give one a twirl.

“I tell people: Keep your head up, close your eyes and feel it.”

The 56-year-old Torrance resident discovered hooping about five years ago, after receiving a hula hoop as a birthday gift. She had recently put on about 30 pounds—not healthy for anyone but especially for someone with diabetes. The hooping helped her shed the extra weight in just nine months.

In addition to hooping, Julia now works out at least twice a week at her local 24 Hour Fitness, completing a routine that includes 15 minutes on the treadmill followed by a circuit of machines. “Julia has come to my yoga classes in the past,” says group exercise instructor Brenda Swanney. “She’s an incredible human being, and she looks fabulous.

She’s one of the most productive people I know, and she really embodies the idea of being the best you can be.”

Julia was only 18 months old when her father discovered her one morning unconscious in a pool of urine. She was rushed to the hospital and diagnosed with type 1 (childhood) diabetes. Doctors told her parents that Julia would likely live only until around age 40.

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Julia’s Year in HEALTH Daily Itinerary Wake up; check blood sugar; have coffee. Take dog for 1-mile walk. Test blood, take insulin shot, eat breakfast . Work out at the gym. Run errands or return home. Test blood, take insulin shot, eat lunch. Take dog for walk.

Do crafting. Test blood, take insulin shot and eat dinner. More crafting or television or listening to a book. Test blood, take insulin shot and have evening snack. Bedtime

Diet Breakfast: Oatmeal with chia seeds, raw flax seed, coconut oil, peanut butter, almond milk and a pinch of salt Lunch: Frozen grilled chicken sandwich (from Costco) with a slice of cheese and hot chili peppers Dinner: Salad with nuts, flaxseed, and oil and vinegar dressing; extra lean turkey pastrami Bedtime snack: Dollop of low-fat cottage cheese and a small handful of peanuts Beverage: About 50 ounces of water per day, and one SmartWater, for the sodium

Workout Routine 1-mile morning walk with dog; at the gym, 15 minutes on the treadmill or 30 minutes of hooping followed by machine circuit abdominals, leg curls, triceps, leg extension, lateral pull, inner thigh and outer thigh

Preferred Footwear For hooping: barefoot; for walking: ASICS Gels with Dr. Scholl’s inserts

Staying Fit For hooping: at home, at the gym and at Wilson Park; for working out: 24 Hour Fitness on PCH and Crenshaw

Free Time Walking, hula hooping and crafting

Fitness Routine She Isn’t Good AT Jumping rope: “I look awkward and have no rhythm.”

Fitness Activity She Hasn’t Tried “I’d like to find somewhere hilly to walk, maybe Palos Verdes.”

Guilty Pleasure Carl’s Jr. El Diablo burger (with jalepeno poppers, pepper-jack cheese, fiery habanero sauce, bacon strips and sliced jalepenos): “I allow myself two of these per year.”

SOUTHBAY HEALTH II 2016

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Medical advances and Julia’s healthy habits

“I tell people: Keep your head up, close your eyes and feel it.”

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SOUTHBAY HEALTH II 2016

often walks a second mile in the afternoon.

proved those doctors wrong. In fact, she has

“Walking with a dog is amazing for my mind,”

avoided many of the normal complications of

she says, noting that it gives her the freedom

diabetes thanks to staying physically active,

to daydream because she can trust the dog to

keeping a disciplined diet and closely monitor-

navigate safely.

ing her blood sugar.

When walking becomes impractical, Julia

She received the Lilly Diabetes Journey

says, transportation gets cumbersome—and

Award from pharmaceutical firm Eli Lilly and

expensive. But that’s the only complaint she

Company in recognition of successfully manag-

shares. “I embrace being blind. Every day is a

ing her type 1 diabetes with insulin for 50 years.

challenge, and every day I wake up grateful that

“I want to still be hooping at 70 and get the

I woke up.”

award for 70 years,” she says.

Unfortunately Julia could not avoid the

In addition to her hooping, Julia has a passion for crafting. She makes jewelry, sews quilts,

loss of vision. Her sight began deteriorating

crochets afghans and creates decorative wall

when she was in her early 20s due to diabetic

hangings using artificial flowers. “I like to do

retinopathy—nerve damage to the retina. Her

something different and come up with my own

doctor worked hard to slow the vision loss—

designs,” she says.

Julia has undergone 43 eye surgeries—but

She also makes hula hoops. Julia sells the

three years ago the last bit of light sensitivity

items she makes to supplement her limited

vanished, and she became totally blind.

income. But it’s the creative process that gives

Because of her limited vision, Julia has

her pleasure. “Going blind has been a gift,” she

depended on guide dogs for more than three

says. “There’s so much in me that’s come out

decades. She takes her current dog, a Labrador

that I didn’t know was there, like my crafts. It’s

retriever, for a mile-walk each morning and

been an amazing journey.” n

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Ode to Joy and Beauty As we move into the New Year, here are a few book picks to guide us in our pursuit of that radiant, beautiful inner light.

EDITED BY MICHELE GARBER

THE BOOK OF JOY: LASTING HAPPINESS IN A CHANGING WORLD

BY DALAI LAMA, DESMOND TUTU AND DOUGLAS ABRAMS Oh to be a fly on the wall in April 2015 when Archbishop

only met a half-dozen times. This meeting, a year in the

Desmond Tutu visited His Holiness the Dalai Lama at his

making, was to give the world a gift of insight: an invitation

residence in Dharamsala, India. The two long-time friends

to joy and happiness. The Book of Joy outlines their eight

gathered on the Dalai Lama’s 80th birthday and spent a

pillars of joy—four of the mind, four of the heart. They share

week laughing, discussing the joys and sorrows of their lives,

their experience and wisdom in discovering joy and how

and contemplating the essential source of joy. According to

each of us can transform joy from a temporary, “ephemeral

their coauthor, Douglas Abrams, the two men consider the

state into an enduring trait” regardless of the challenging

other their “mischievous spiritual brother” though they’ve

and changing world that surrounds us.

STRONG IS THE NEW BEAUTIFUL: EMBRACE YOUR NATURAL BEAUTY, EAT CLEAN, AND HARNESS YOUR POWER

BY LINDSEY VONN World-champion skier Lindsey Vonn is the most success-

book, Vonn speaks candidly about her struggles to bounce

ful American ski-racer in history, having won a remarkable

back from injuries and to find nutrition and fitness routines

76 World Cup races including races in all five Alpine skiing

that enabled her to reach her peak. By focusing on being

disciplines, four World Cup overall championships, eight

healthy and strong, both mentally and physically, she was

season titles and a record 20 World Cup Crystal Globe titles.

able to become the champion she is today. She shares with

And Vonn is on pace to break more records as her career is still

readers insight into loving the body you have and finding what

going strong. With her model good looks and immeasurable

works best for you. She offers training routines, advice on how

talent, Vonn has it all. But like many of us, she has struggled

to eat clean and backs up her recommendations with sci-

with weight gain, body image issues and dieting. In her new

ence—so readers can look and feel their individual best.

RADICAL BEAUTY: HOW TO TRANSFORM YOURSELF FROM THE INSIDE OUT

BY DEEPAK CHOPRA AND KIMBERLY SNYDER

26

Best-selling authors Deepak Chopra and Kimberly Snyder

discovering each individual’s unique and authentic beauty,

join forces in their new book that upends the conventional

which they consider a birthright. From internal and external

wisdom and traditional definitions of beauty. Chopra and

nourishment to proper body movement and spiritual

Snyder present a thoughtful and compelling discussion of

balance, Radical Beauty provides a roadmap that fosters

what beauty truly is. They lay out their six Radical Beauty

transformational beauty from the inside out—leading to

Pillars of healthy living that offer a holistic approach to

increased energy, vitality, confidence and overall well-being.

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MIND, BODY &SPIRIT PERSONAL TRAINER AND GYM OWNER JASON ESTRADA WORKS OVERTIME TO HELP CLIENTS ACHIEVE THEIR FITNESS GOALS. WRITTEN BY STEFAN SLATER PHOTOGRAPHED BY SHANE O’DONNELL

SOUTHBAY HEALTH II 2016

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J

ason Estrada, 31, has one overarching aim: to add better years to the lives of his clients. “My goal is to help people—not just with their fitness but also with the vitality side of fitness.”

Jason, who grew up in Compton, is the owner of Estrada Fitness Club in El Segundo—a private

training facility. For as long as he can remember, Jason has always been fascinated by sports. As a child he dreamed of becoming a professional athlete, but his backup plan was to become a team physician for a major professional team—like his favorite, the Lakers.

While attending Cal State University, Northridge, Jason landed a physical therapy internship, which involved working with patients who suffered from extreme spinal cord injuries. He notes that the experience opened his eyes. It showed him how beneficial physical therapy could be—not just for a person’s personal fitness but also their overall vitality.

Working closely with these patients, he curated a specialized therapy program for each individual and then watched their gradual progress. “The whole experience allowed my appreciation for helping people to grow and thrive,” he says.

Jason then went on to become a trainer for Equinox South Bay in 2008, where he quickly became one of the top trainers. During his free time, he started a fitness boot camp for family, members of the neighborhood church he belonged to and close friends.

“I ended up doing these boot camps every weekend,” he says. “I was really helping people. People were giving me testimonies, and it was in my heart to expand what I do and help more people.”

Jason started Estrada Fitness in 2012. His training facility is a brick-and-mortar culmination of his experiences both as a fitness trainer and a physical therapist. He focuses on helping his clients

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Jason’s Year in HEALTH Daily Itinerary Jason’s alarm goes off at 4 a.m. “I take a shower. I food prep and make my ground chicken the night before.” He trains from 5 a.m. to noon and takes a twohour break to work out or spend time with family. He then trains with clients for another few hours, 3 to 7 p.m. “On any given day I’ll have 10 clients roughly.”

Diet Jason plans all of his meals: “I’m in a structured routine where I have everything that I want to eat planned ahead, and everything’s written down. Even if I go out to dinner and I didn’t plan on it, I already know what I’m going to eat since I’ll read the menu ahead of time. Basically no coffee, alcohol, bread or dairy. No yeast products either. I do my best to stay as gluten-free as possible. I’ve always been like that. I don’t even like to eat ice cream.”

Workout Routine “In the morning right before I hit the shower, I do at least 150 push-ups straight and 45 pull-ups. I do that every single day. I also focus on a strength routine throughout the week too. I do my best to stay balanced and as active as possible.” Jason also usually works out in the middle of the day, in between training sessions or in the evening. “I have a 2-year-old son, and my wife is active too, so a lot of the time we’ll go out as a family in the middle of the day for a swim or a bike ride. Sometimes my son will work out with me. He’ll do some cones or hurtles, and he likes a lot of movement. I find it easier to help keep him entertained.”

Free Time “I’m very family-oriented. It doesn’t take much to have a good time when I’m not focused on the gym or work. I go to church. It’s important to be close to family and have a strong, faith-based center of spirituality so you can understand how to deal with whatever life has to offer. It helps your love grow.”

Guilty Pleasures Jason love avocados: “That’s my healthy fat. I also love sweet potatoes or butter squash. When it comes to protein, I absolutely love organic chicken, lamb and other lean meats.”

Fitness/Health Inspiration “I have a picture of Muhammad Ali up in the gym. I admire his mentality and what he stood for. He had this understanding that it’s not about skill, but it’s more so about having the will to be a champion.”

Favorite “Non-Gym” Workout Spot “I love to run over in Manhattan Beach and on The Strand. I’ll do a sand run for about 3 miles on the weekends. It’s one of my favorite cardio activities.”

Ultimate Health Goal “To live until I’m 200 years old. No, but really my goal is to add better years to my clients’ lives.”

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improve their fitness, and he also works with them to improve their vitality and curate lifestyles that will help enhance their overall quality of life.

On the one hand, Jason will work with clients on basic functional movements, using their own body weight to increase their strength. But since he’s also well-versed in kinesiology, he makes sure to create workout regimens that are tailored to the client’s physical capabilities and needs—helping them accomplish their fitness goals safely and effectively.

He says his clients run the gamut, ranging from professionals athletes to stay-at-home parents. Jason enjoys helping each of his clients become the healthiest person they can possibly be. “Helping people become stronger in mind, body and spirit—that’s what I like to do.” n

Open House For most of us, life in the emergency room is limited to watching our favorite medical television shows. But what is it really like for those scrubbed professionals trained to save lives at a moment’s notice? We checked in with Dr. Paul Knittel, whose experience in the ER prepared him for the expanded and innovative practice he brings to Redondo Beach.

INTERVIEWED & PHOTOGRAPHED BY SIRI BERTING

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In just 2½ years you have created the

at their greatest time of need. We take patient

How do you and your family stay happy

highest rated walk-in medical clinic of the

care very seriously. When a person bestows

and healthy?

South Bay. Tell our readers who you are

their trust in us to care for them or their family,

As so many people can probably relate, I

and what you are doing differently.

we do everything in our control to ensure the

sometimes feel I have two families: my home

I am a husband to one, father of three, South

highest level of care, compassion and support.

family and my work family. My wife and I are

Bay enthusiast, small business owner, insom-

the lucky owners of three young boys. So stay-

niac and emergency medicine physician for

I see that you now offer house calls.

ing active isn’t really a choice. Unless we are

15+ years. I am a lucky man to be surrounded

That seems like a practice from another

going to LAX, we are on foot or riding bikes to

by such a competent and compassionate

era. How do you make it work in the

the beach, park or any of our favorite places in

medical team and extremely supportive and

21st century?

Manhattan, Hermosa or Redondo.

gracious patients. My wife, Suzanne, and I

Yes, the “house call” is back. We now do mobile

opened Dr. Paul’s Immediate Care in April

medical calls and visit patients’ homes, places

Three boys! How do you handle all that

2014. We saw a need for better, more involved

of business and hotels. Our team will come to

extra energy?

patient care in the South Bay. We’re open

you on your time, and we perform a visit just

We have recently become active in mixed mar-

seven days a week and offer ER-quality ser-

as we would in our office. Some of our services

tial arts as a family. I think it is a tremendous

vices like X-rays, labs, IV and pharmacy. Most

include IV therapy, lab testing, evaluation and

strength- and confidence-building activity

importantly, though, we pride ourselves on

treatment. When you are not feeling well, a

for adults and children alike. For families with

keeping the quality of the patient experience

mobile visit can make all the difference.

boys who can relate, those incessant wrestling

at the forefront of our service.

To the non-medical professional and those of us who get our fix on TV, emergency medicine seems to be a very exciting, fastpaced and almost sexy medical field. Is it, and do you miss it?

Right? I think that is why my wife married me.

She told me I reminded her of Dr. Doug Ross (George Clooney) of the TV series ER. For the

“Focusing on activities that get us moving together—and outside to enjoy our community—is not only healthier but also creating a lifetime of memories.”

record, the only thing I have in common with Clooney is salt-and-pepper hair. Designing my own practice has awarded me the opportunity to use my ER experience to create a much broader, more complete medical practice.

From what I hear from patients, your

matches now have a little more structure. And

My team and I are prepared to handle most

commitment and model clearly has

Mom has scored major points with her ability

patients, from pediatric to geriatric, and their

its fans. I see you are expanding into a

to execute an arm bar.

minor to more serious medical conditions. I’ve

medical group and changing your services

created something that mimics the diversity of

at bit. How so?

Do you all follow a strict nutrition

patients and problems seen in the ER without

We are excited to announce that we will be

schedule?

the madness of the ER. Many patients use us

adding primary care medicine and restorative

I strongly believe what you put in your body is as

for all of their medical needs.

care to our lineup of medical services. Our

important as exercise. Our local schools have

patients continually ask if we can “be their

done a wonderful job incorporating nutrition

I have often heard you referred to as the

doctor.” We are very proud to have added Dr.

docents into the curriculum. Going to the farm-

“old-school town doctor.” How does that

Jennifer Brown to our medical team. She is a

ers market has been a regular activity for us as

make you feel?

Harbor-UCLA County Hospital-trained and

a family, and we see our boys taking more of a

Actually, I am extremely honored and

board-certified family medicine physician. We

leadership role in meal planning and prepara-

humbled. Our patients are amazing and allow

will now be able to provide more continuity of

tion. As working parents, my wife and I have to

me to do what I love. Our goal was to build a

care for ongoing medical conditions. Our restor-

prioritize our time with family. Focusing on activi-

medical practice that would become part of

ative care services will feature more complex IV

ties that get us moving together—and outside to

the fabric of our special community. For me,

nutrition therapies, weight loss therapies and

enjoy our community—is not only healthier but

practicing medicine means caring for people

dermatologic aesthetic/cosmetic treatments.

also creating a lifetime of memories. n

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FOR HERMOSA’S KK CLARK, BECOMING AN OLYMPIAN AND WINNING THE GOLD WAS LESS ABOUT PHYSICAL CONDITIONING AND TECHNIQUE … IT WAS A RIGOROUS EXERCISE IN SELF-EVALUATION AND MENTAL MIGHT. WRITTEN BY STEFAN SLATER | PHOTOGRAPHED BY JEFF BERTING

T

he U.S. women’s water polo team claimed the gold at the Rio 2016 Olympics, and for KK Clark—who played as a defender—the experience served as a momentous culmination of years of dedicated training, hard work and sacrifice.

It’s easy to assume that KK—a Bay Area native and

current Hermosa Beach resident—harbored dreams of winning the gold from an early age, but that’s not the case. It wasn’t until KK was in the midst of her collegelevel water polo career that the Olympic dream started to take hold. And even then it took an ample amount of mental conditioning and self-evaluation to determine what, exactly, she wanted out of water polo.

Athleticism runs in KK’s family. Her sisters played water polo at the college level. Her aunt Marybeth Dorst was on the 1980 U.S. Olympic women’s swimming team, and her uncle Chris Dorst was a two-time water polo Olympian in 1980 and 1984.

Since her older sisters played the sport, KK was introduced to water polo at a young age as the “carpool dummy.” She learned about the game riding with her sisters to their practice and watching them play. She was in middle school when she started playing seriously.

“But I was resistant to water polo at first,” she says.

“Horseback riding—and being an equestrian—was actually my first love. Hopefully it’s something I can return to in the future.”

At Sacred Heart Preparatory School, KK played on the high school’s JV water polo team. “I didn’t have the commitment to play on varsity. But the athleticism

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was there.”

Later during high school she began to excel with the sport

KK’s Year in HEALTH

and was eventually recruited to play at UCLA. But, she adds, during her college career she never had the luxury of knowing

Pre-Olympics Itinerary

she was a top player on the team. “I had to fight for a spot,

Wake up at 5:30 a.m. and leave apartment by 6 a.m and hit Starbucks. “I’d have an

and it was very tiring and challenging.”

iced coffee and a breakfast sandwich. I’m not big on cooking at home, and I’d eat

KK didn’t lack the skill or finesse to play Olympic-level water

that on the way to Long Beach for training.” Practice by 6:45 a.m. starting with weight

polo. She points out that much of her difficulties came from a

training. From 8:45 to 10:30 a.m. in the water. “It would change each week, in terms

lack of focus—she wasn’t quite sure what she wanted. In 2015

of yardage. Then we’d get out at the end of training, and we’d have food delivered to

KK was actually cut from Team USA’s world championship

the pool: healthy things like chicken sandwich wraps, root veggies and fruit.”

team, and the setback hurt. “All my worst fears came true,”

From 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., fuel and recover. More practicing and training

she says. “This was the world champs before the Olympics. I

from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. “You would work on different tactics every day. Saturday

was bawling.”

we would come back for a purely three-hour conditioning practice. That was a

However, being cut helped sharpen KK’s focus—she knew

typical week during the summer.”

what she wanted now. “Being at the world championships, it was a reminder of what everything would be like, all that

Olympic Diet

success, without me there. I came to the realization that, even

“A nutritionist worked with us on an individual basis. The question was always:

if I’m not on the team, I just want to be at the team meetings

How do I get enough calories? Eventually I had to start bringing a lunch box

and be a part of the club.”

to practice, and it had a peanut butter and jelly sandwich along with cheese

KK realized what she wanted out of water polo: to support

and dried mango—anything I could munch on while I was subbing out during

her team. She wanted to be with them and to share in that

practice. Some days I would just go to In-N-Out Burger and get cheeseburgers

success. Even if she couldn’t be on the roster, she notes, she

because I needed the calories.”

just wanted to be a part of that water polo family. Once she realized that, she says, “it was liberating, mentally and physi-

Free Time

cally.” Ultimately, KK wanted to be an Olympian.

Listen to “This American Life” on public radio and try to enjoy the drive home. “I

She began focusing heavily on mental conditioning: watch-

would go out and meet friends for dinner. Monday through Saturday it was hard

ing sports films, reading inspiring books and creating a syl-

to balance a social life. I told myself I wouldn’t let finances stress me out, and I

labus that outlined her physical and mental goals. KK believes

would go and see my friends. I’d also watch movies and meditate. I watched a

that becoming an Olympian and sharing that success with her

lot of Netflix. I’d do anything that wasn’t physical.”

water polo team came about because of her mental training.

“This Olympic journey shifted when I realized that I needed

Guilty Pleasures

to work on myself,” she says. “I had the physical stuff down.

Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream and the drive-through at In-N-Out: “It’s so

But the greatest thing that happened to me was being cut

hard now that I’m not training!”

from that team.” n

Fitness/Health Inspiration Her coach Adam Krikorian: “I wouldn’t have done [water polo] if he hadn’t been my coach. He trained us for life in a lot of ways. Also my teammates inspired me. Everyone has such a different background and personal stories, and I’ve really come to respect them all.”

Current Workout “I did the 30-Day Yoga Challenge at SoHo Yoga here in Hermosa after I got back from Rio. It was so humbling. With yoga, I honestly can’t do what others are doing!”

Advice for Aspiring Olympians “I think the biggest thing is to be honest to yourself when you’re evaluating things. The biggest thing that helped me was formulating a plan, establishing something that works for you and following through. And being mindful is important, but it takes practice. I’m still working on it.”

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Rockin Rider

i

ON AN UPBEAT TEMPO, SOUTH BAY INSTRUCTOR DENNIS BALES SPINS HIS WAY TO HEALTH AND HAPPINESS. WRITTEN BY SUZANNA CULLEN HAMILTON | PHOTOGRAPHED BY SHANE O’DONNELL

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G

rowing up in Palos Verdes as a baseball and football player, Dennis Bales has always been physically active.

His father was a professional baseball player, and Dennis trained with the 1960 U.S. Olympic Diving Team.

However, after a career-ending injury while playing football for the University of Oklahoma, Dennis discov-

ered cycling as a way to both rehab and stay fit.

Today Dennis is a much sought-after spin instructor whose affinity for

spinning is matched by his singular playlists that span artists and bands of the 20th and 21st centuries. Taking one of Dennis’s spin classes is akin to a dual immersion program. It’s one hour that combines a great physical workout with a music history lesson from a master.

“I didn’t care for the techno, bass-thumping music in other spin classes where it all starts to sound the same, so I created different playlists for each week that I really enjoy,” says Dennis.

From there Dennis realized that huge markets were being overlooked in

Dennis’ Year in Health Morning Workout

spinning simply because people didn’t like the loud, pounding techno music.

Squats, lunges and 90 pushups, with either a spin class or a hike

Thus he created playlists for hour-long classes that are divided into two

before heading into the office

30-minute intervals with each half focused on a different artist or band.

“We’ve got fit, competitive cyclists in each class,” he says. “However, if

Diet

someone is new to spinning or is in rehab, then they can go at their own

Gluten-free, including a protein shake made with almond milk for

pace or leave after 30 minutes. Spinning is both healthy and fun, and that

breakfast; nuts as a mid-morning snack; a salad for lunch; and a lean

makes it approachable for everyone.”

protein and fresh vegetables for dinner

Dennis teaches regular classes at the South End Racquet & Health Club where he has a unique ability to make everyone feel comfortable on the

Workout Routine

bike—whether it’s a long endurance ride to The Moody Blues, jumps to The

Alternating indoor spin classes with hiking and calisthenics for a

Rolling Stones, intervals to Diana Ross or a cooldown to Simon & Garfunkel.

healthy balance of core, endurance and interval training every week;

By nature, Dennis is personable; he’s everyone’s biggest fan and sup-

Sundays off to attend church with his family

porter. He spent 20 years coaching Pop Warner in Palos Verdes, where he and his wife, Judy, raised their three children. Today the Bales family includes

Guilty Pleasures

spouses and nine grandchildren who all live in the South Bay. “We are all

Trips to Provence with Judy where fields of lavender, stone houses

about family, friends, church and a healthy, active lifestyle,” says Dennis.

set in lush gardens, fresh food and good wine afford a sophisticated,

After switching to a gluten-free diet, Dennis had more energy and less

civilized lifestyle

body weight. “Judy and I eat a healthy diet that includes salads, chicken, fish, lean meats, nuts and protein shakes,” says Dennis. They also work out

Fitness/Health Inspiration

together hiking the hills of Palos Verdes several times each week.

“I was raised by a father who played professional baseball, so athleti-

An avid reader, Dennis has an extensive library where he prefers to read classical literature, historical documentaries or theology. “I read the Bible

cism was a part of our family. My diving instructor was the renowned Pat McCormick, and she had a profound impact on me.”

every day, attending to His word,” says Dennis.

Dennis is the president of Ringler Associates Palos Verdes, a position

Next Health Goal

he’s held for 27 years. However, if Dennis’ popularity as a spin instructor

“Going gluten-free changed my life–I lost weight, had more energy,

continues on this meteoric rise, he might launch his second career at the

and I feel great. Balancing my diet with indoor and outdoor exercise

same time most people would decide to retire—something that would not

is a good combination that works for me, so I’m on a maintenance

surprise one grandchild of this true Renaissance man. n

program at this point.”

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Pull of the Ocean PROXIMITY TO THE BEACH AND A SENSE OF COMMUNITY DRAWS MELISSA DISHAROON AND FAMILY BACK TO THE SOUTH BAY. WRITTEN BY NANCY SOKOLER STEINER PHOTOGRAPHED BY SIRI BERTING

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M

elissa Disharoon came to appreciate the ocean only after it was no longer in her backyard. Growing up in Manhattan Beach and attending Mira Costa High School, she engaged in two passions: drama and dance. “I was deep

into theatre,” she says, playing the leads and choreographing the school’s productions, as well as heading up the thespian group.

When she wasn’t at school, Melissa was at the dance studio practicing ballet, jazz and tap and preparing to pursue a career on Broadway. That left little time to take advantage of the nearby coastline.

When she was 22 and playing the lead in her first professional theatrical role, Melissa experienced a bewildering set of symptoms during a single day, including numbness in her tongue, vertigo and stumbling. She was diagnosed with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis—a disease that interferes with nerve impulses traveling to and from the brain and spinal cord.

MS affects each person differently. As Melissa explains, having an MS relapse (episode) is like the severe stretching of a rubber band. The

“There’s something about the beach and the ocean. It’s so expansive and overwhelming in this terrific way … it’s the great equalizer.”

stretching eventually stops, but the rubber band does not return to its

the kids stayed with him for a week. “I reconnected with old friends, and

previous shape. So while her coordination returned, she knew her dancing

we spent days at the beach,” she says. “We loved our Atwater community,

career was over.

but something was pulling me here.”

That same year, Melissa met Scott Disharoon—a theatre and inde-

Within three weeks, she found a house in the Golden Hills area of

pendent film producer. The couple married and welcomed son Teagan

Redondo Beach. The family moved in on August 15. Now all three kids

13 years ago and twins Finn and Harper just over a year later. The family

attend the same middle school, and Melissa is delighted that they’ll soon

lived in Hancock Park and later Atwater Village, enjoying the cosmopolitan

attend her alma mater.

atmosphere and diversity of those communities.

But the ocean was already exerting its pull. During a summer vacation 10 years ago, Melissa and a friend organized a weekly beach excursion with their children. They started inviting other families, and—in the days

Teagan plays baseball, while Finn and Harper pursue wrestling. Scott plays basketball and baseball when work allows, and Grandpa—who lives a mile down the road—attends the kids’ sports activities.

“It’s a whole new life for us here,” says Melissa. “My kids can ride their

before blogs—Melissa wrote weekly missives about the week’s adventure.

bikes or walk to school. They can go to the beach, visit my dad or just

Now the group has grown to 170 families, with between 10 and 30 families

explore. They have an independence we never would have been allowed

going to the beach any given summer Friday.

in the city.”

Four years ago Melissa had her first serious relapse of MS since having

Returning to the South Bay also allowed Melissa to reconnect with her

children, and it was “a doozy.” It left her with numbness and tingling in half

former dance teacher, now 80 years old. She takes semi-private lessons

her body, difficulty walking more than a few yards and a tendency to get

twice a week.

easily fatigued. Shuttling her three children to school and sports became

And she has the ocean, which she visits almost daily. “It’s become

exhausting, and Melissa longed for a place where she could feel safe let-

more and more a part of my being and health and sanity,” she says.

ting them get around on their own.

“There’s something about the beach and the ocean. It’s so expansive and

Her dad still lived in Manhattan Beach, and this summer Melissa and

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overwhelming in this terrific way … it’s the great equalizer.” n

Melissa’s Year in HEALTH Daily Itinerary With MS, each day is different. One major activity, such as a trip to Costco, can often sap Melissa’s energy for the rest of the day. That said, each day she tries to include: connecting with a friend, whether by phone, for coffee or for lunch; visiting the beach/spending time outdoors; stretching; overseeing the kids’ homework.

Diet Avoid carbs and sugar; follow a mostly paleo, anti-inflammatory diet without depriving herself

Workout Routine Dance class twice a week; morning stretching and strengthening exercises; trying to find a chair exercise class

Free Time Visiting the beach; seeing movies with her dad; attending theatre and dance performances

Guilty Pleasures “Maybe living with a chronic disease—not knowing when the shoe will drop and everyday activities will be compromised— allows me to enjoy the moment and good things in life.

Whether it’s relishing in a quiet cup of tea, a midweek nap, a massage, an indulgence shared with a friend … as long as it’s legal and not harming anyone, we should enjoy it guilt-free.”

Fitness/Health Inspiration Her 80-year-old dance teacher, who has the strength and energy of a 20-year-old

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Keep The Coast On Your Left When Andrew Szabo, a 46-year-old Manhattan Beach entrepreneur, told his wife that his midlife crisis involved the purchase of an ocean kayak and the desire to paddle from MB to Tijuana, her reaction was simple: “Have a good trip, and make sure your life insurance premiums are paid.�

What followed were three months of intense preparations, a life-changing journey and becoming part of the global battle to raise awareness for tuna overfishing.

WRITTEN BY ANDREW SZABO

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A

s memories of long winter nights slowly fade, my wanderlust

been discontinued years ago. Luckily I could reuse and recycle a pre-loved

usually switches into high gear. This year was somewhat

model that the OC dealer had lying around in Costa Mesa.

different. I didn’t really want to go anywhere, but I wanted to go far. I wanted to do something physically challenging but

without employing the “midlife crisis adventure travel” industry.

Turning 46, I became increasingly worried about the future of my

“Are you paddling around the marina or want to go on longer day trips?” the owner of the store asked.

“Actually, I want to paddle from LA to Tijuana,” I replied.

“You’re kidding now,” she said in disbelief, not knowing whether to sell

muscles, joints and bones. I already felt every muscle in my body after an

me more gear or treat me with mercy. She promptly unloaded $800

hour of surfing. I entered an age where any mildly strenuous activity came

worth of additional gear. I spent the rest of the summer kayaking and

with ice and two Advils.

amassing an arsenal of outdoor gear.

I was no stranger to the world of kayaking. In my mid-20s I nearly

During my preparation, I learned about Greenpeace’s ocean campaigns

drowned in a kayak accident on the Danube. This year I was ready to get

through a friend. Ever since the Greenpeace activist ship, the Rainbow

back in the water. My wife was fully aware of my not-so-stellar aquatic

Warrior, was blown up by the French secret service in New Zealand, the

track record, yet she remained supportive. “All I ask is for a way to track

organization held a special place in my heart. Inspired by the Rainbow

you, so I can tell the Coast Guard where to start their search,” she said.

Warrior, I named my kayak Arcoiris Explorer and joined Greenpeace’s

As spring went by, boxes of kayaking books began showing up on our doorstep. After a long weekend bingeing on YouTube kayaking tutorials, I

“Change Your Tuna” campaign.

The campaign’s message is simple: Our oceans’ health is at serious

thought it would be wise to take some ocean kayaking classes. My imme-

risk due to irresponsible tuna overfishing and the way we buy tuna. Entire

diate loved ones who became more and more aware of my madness

tuna species are on the verge of extinction. Unethical fishing destroys

were all in favor. Untrue to my self-made character, I completed an ocean

turtle, stingray, shark and sea bird populations and damages the entire

kayak survival class through UCLA. Last on the list was to find a suitable

ocean ecosystem.

ocean kayak and start training.

I found out early on in my quest for a vessel that sea kayaking is a

The only way to stop the trend is to change the way we buy tuna. By purchasing only sustainably fished, ethical brands, tuna will survive man-

dying sport. The closest kayak dealer was in Orange County. After trying

kind. Everyone can make a difference, and we can all make a change—just

on several kayaks, I discovered that the best fit for me and my gear had

by buying the right can of tuna.

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I had a cause, a goal, a kayak and three months to get ready. September 4 was the kind Sunday morning when the wind and the marine layer cause Manhattan Beach residents to stay indoors way past brunch time.

I schlepped more than 160 pounds of kayak and gear to water’s edge while the rest of MB was still asleep.

My main concern was takeoffs and landings in surf zones. I never practiced a beach launch with a fully loaded kayak before. That was a separate course at UCLA, for which I was too cheap to sign up.

I had my sprayskirt around the cockpit, my personal floatation device on, my marine radio tuned to the Coast Guard emergency channel and all of my equipment in place. The waves were already licking the stern of the yak. My eyes focused on the water, counting the waves and the time lapse between them.

The possibility of a shameful spill one minute into the journey made me extra tense and alert. The adrenaline rush kept me focused on the approaching surf and my hands firmly on the paddle as I was doing my best to keep the yak perpendicular to the oncoming break, while enduring endless gallons of salt water in my face.

PHOTOGRAPHED BY KEVIN GILLIGAN AND ARCOIRISEXPLORER.ORG

The next 10 days were a delicious cocktail of perfectly balanced Zen and adrenaline with a twist of doing good. One minute I was enjoying the serenity of glassy waters under a friendly layer of ocean mist, while at other times I was paddling for my life—navigating between sharp rock gardens and menacing waves. I spent my nights on various beaches, at times listening to soothing waves or to rowdy yells of overjoyed Pokemon hunters.

I learned to move with the ocean. I learned to respect tide cycles.

I woke with the sun and went to sleep with the moon. I learned the names of towns between here and Tijuana. I appreciated my space and learned to appreciate the proximity of others. It gave me joy to know that true DIY adventures still exist, and sometimes they may just start three blocks from your house.

To learn more about Andrew Szabo’s trip and how you can help heal our oceans by changing your tuna, visit arcoirisexplorer.org. n

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COVER PHOTO BY SHANE O’DONNELL

THE SOUTH BAY’S TOP HEALTH PROFESSIONALS A RESOURCE GUIDE FOR YOUR HEALTHIEST LIFE SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Edited by Laura Watts | Photographed by Kristin Anderson, Tameka Jacobs, Shane O’Donnell & Lauren Pressey

Sports & Spine Orthopaedics

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Christine Petti, MD

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Kristin Egan, MD

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The Aesthetic Center and Medical Wellness

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Beach Cities Vein and Laser Center Mark Rayman, MD

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Revive Wellness Centers Shonda Chase, FNP

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South Bay Plastic Surgeons

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Manhattan Beach Plastic Surgery 70 Jay W. Granzow, MD

Summer Orthodontics SUMMER L. BLAKE, DDS

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Steven K. Okamoto, DDS & Michelle Okamoto, DDS

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Dr. Mellert and Associates

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Wayne T. Tofukuji, DDS, Pediatric Dentistry Warren T. Tofukuji & Wayne T. Tofukuji

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Torrance Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics Cell Life Medical Fabian A. Proano, MD

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Goldberg Plastic Surgery

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Kaiser Permanente Manhattan Beach Medical Offices

Beach Cities Plastic Surgery David Bray, Jr., MD

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NVISION Eye Centers

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Medi Weightloss® SouthBay and Torrance

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USC Sports Medicine Center George F. Rick Hatch III, MD

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Hutchinson Dental Christina L. Hutchinson, DDS

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Beach Cities Hearing Solutions

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Beach Teeth Niki Maghami, DDS

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Sutha Sachar, MD

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Thrill Athletics

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SPORTS & SPINE ORTHOPAEDICS 2361 Rosecrans Ave., Suite #165 El Segundo 310-775-2331

23456 Hawthorne Blvd., Suite #200 Torrance 310-375-8700

SERVICES OFFERED Orthopaedic consultations Digital X-ray Physical therapy

Surgical center Stem cell/PRP injections Laser soft tissue therapy

sportsandspineortho.com

Q&A WHAT SEPARATES YOUR MEDICAL PRACTICE FROM OTHERS?

“Sports & Spine Orthopaedics is comprised of an excellent staff of physicians, nurses, medical assistants, X-ray technicians and front office specialists who work with the goal of providing the highest quality of care to all of our patients. We have two South Bay locations (Torrance and El Segundo) that both contain their own physical therapy facilities. Our physical therapists are in direct communication with our doctors regarding patient care to ensure the fastest recoveries for all injuries. Sports & Spine Orthopaedics performs a majority of our outpatient surgical procedures at our own state-of-the-art private surgery center located in a suite in the same Torrance building as our office.”

PRACTICE SPECIALTY Sports & Spine Orthopaedics offers complete orthopaedic treatment of all orthopaedic injuries. The doctors are all extremely well-trained in orthopaedic fracture care as a result of years of training at the finest orthopaedic residency programs in the country. In addition to the standard five-year residency program, each physician has also completed a one-year fellowship program for their particular focus of expertise.

All doctors are board-certified and continue to keep up with the latest technologies available for providing the best patient care.

TELL US ABOUT STEM CELL INJECTIONS.

“Stem cells are cells in the body that have the remarkable potential to develop into different types of tissue cells and are thought to have some regenerative abilities that can aid in the repair of musculoskeletal tissues.

Although there is great potential that modern medicine will figure out how to use this technology for better outcomes, there is a lot we haven’t figured out yet. Regarding cartilage regeneration for osteoarthritis, studies do not strongly support that stem cells will regenerate the arthritic joint and grow new cartilage. Regarding the potential for better healing of injured tissues with stem cell treatment, there has been literature to support improved and faster healing of certain tissue types and injuries. Our intent is to educate patients on what types of injuries have the most beneficial effects to avoid less optimal outcomes for some problems that we feel would not respond to stem cell therapy.”

OFF THE CLOCK WITH SPORTS & SPINE ORTHOPAEDICS The doctors within this orthopaedic practice are all previously competitive athletes who continue to enjoy exercise and sporting events recreationally and understand the balance of staying healthy through exercise. Having experienced their own orthopaedic injuries over the years, the doctors at Sports & Spine Orthopaedics understand how it feels to be the patient.

One important thought to keep in mind in the prevention of injuries is: moderation.”

SHARED TIP One important thought to keep in mind in the prevention of injuries is: moderation. The body, as it ages, is less likely able to handle repetitive stress on the joints and soft tissues. For example, marathon running over time may gradually damage the cartilage in the weight-bearing joints—resulting in earlier wear and tear leading to a higher incidence of arthritis. Or prolonged sitting and/or bending at the waist can lead to repetitive stress on the lower back discs, which may induce a higher likelihood of irreversible lower back problems. By performing repetitive activities such as these examples in moderation, you may decrease the added stresses on your body and preserve your tissues for an extended period of time, meaning less time in the doctor’s office and more time enjoying work or play without pain.

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CHRISTINE PETTI, MD, FACS 3400 West Lomita Boulevard, Suite 305, Torrance 310-539-5888 dr-petti.com facebook.com/drpetti Instagram: @drchristinepetti

SERVICES OFFERED Breast augmentation Redo breast implant surgery Smartlipo™ liposuction SculpSure™ 25-minute fat reduction Face/neck/eyelid lifts Abdominoplasty

Botox™ Juvederm™ Radiesse™ hands and face Restylane™ Sculptra™ Kybella™

Q&A WAS THERE A DEFINING MOMENT IN YOUR CAREER THAT GUIDED YOU TO WHERE YOU ARE NOW?

“A defining moment in my career is when I was a graduate student in a four-year PhD program at Georgetown University, and I went to have my contact lens prescription renewed. I was referred to a Georgetown U ophthalmologist, who was of Italian descent like me. As we talked about my career path, he said to me, ‘Why are you not getting your MD?’ That stuck, and I applied to medical school. Here I am years later, thanking him for his frank and in-your-face inspirational question! MD it is, and happy I am!”

HOW DO YOU GIVE BACK TO YOUR COMMUNITY?

“I love giving back to my community. I wish I had more time to attend all the various fundraisers that I contribute to, as I am inspired by the benevolent men and women in our South Bay that make this an altruistic community in which to live. I serve on the Physician Advisory Board of Cancer Support Community (formerly The Wellness Community) of Redondo Beach since 1992, and I have contributed beauty aesthetic treatments such as SculpSure™ no-downtime 25-minute laser fat reduction, Botox Cosmetic™ and Juvederm™ dermal fillers to their three-day Girls Night Out gala. Wow! I cannot wait to treat the WINNERS!”

Everything we put in and on our bodies must be nutritious and safe.”

RECOMMENDED I am excited to offer the new and innovative INTELLIGENT NUTRIENTS (IN) skin care, body and aromatherapy lifestyle products to my aesthetic patients. IN is an exclusive line of certified organic products, the brainchild of Horst Rechelbacher—the original creator of Aveda. His mantra is: “Everything we put in and on our bodies must be nutritious and safe.”

My patients are raving about the silky, serene, sensuous and spa quality of the IN products.

BEFORE & AFTER As a plastic surgeon, I have full knowledge and experience with knowing the facial and neck anatomy from the inside (from my experience in the operating room) and out. Therefore I can give my patients fantastic options for rejuvenating the neck with noninvasive procedures that range from Botox™to Kybella™ to Sculptra to lasers for resurfacing and skin tightening. Sometimes it takes a trip to the OR to get the best and most long-lasting result, as well as the biggest bang for the buck. Neck skin and muscle bands can best be treated with my modern techniques of combining surgical face and neck lift with laser skin tightening and laser resurfacing. Look at this result of a laser face and neck lift with Laser Peel!

SHARED TIP Volbella® is here at Spa Bella! Volbella® is an FDA-approved new filler I offer my patients for a natural lip augmentation that can last one year. It is Juvederm hyaluronic acid gel filler that adds subtle fullness and softens fine lines of the lips.

It can be used for patients young and mature! Look at the examples here!”

Left: Snapchat post: 27-year-old after lip augmentation Right: Dr. Petti celebrating Ernestina’s natural lip augmentation with Volbella

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KRISTIN EGAN, MD, FACS 2809 Sepulveda Blvd.

Manhattan Beach 310-426-8415 drkristinegan.com

SERVICES OFFERED LazerLift Cosmetic injectables Laser services

Skin care Cosmetic facial surgeries Botox

Q&A TELL US ABOUT YOUR BACKGROUND.

“I have won numerous research awards and have published widely, including multiple chapters in the main textbook used to teach facial plastic and reconstructive surgery fellows. I have been in Manhattan Beach for five years and was a clinical instructor at UCSF before moving to Southern California.”

WHAT TREND IS DEFINING YOUR SPECIALTY TODAY?

“Patients are increasingly requesting less invasive procedures with less recovery time and the ability to return to work quickly. In our fast-paced world, patients want to return to their families and social life quickly and not take a week off work. More patients are turning to the multiple in-office services that can be done without general anesthesia or a long recovery period. I am currently one of a few physicians in the LA area offering the recently FDA-approved, non-invasive, laser-assisted facelift in my office.”

WHAT IS YOUR #1 PIECE OF ADVICE TO THOSE WHO CHOOSE A HEALTH CARE CAREER? “Love what you do! I love seeing patients improve and feel better about themselves. I love operating and performing procedures in the office. I enjoy each day that I can use my skills and training in helping others.”

WHAT IS UNIQUE ABOUT YOUR STYLE AND TECHNIQUE?

“As a female surgeon in a largely male-dominated field, I bring the personal experience of aging in today’s society from a woman’s perspective. I actively try out new technologies and products on myself so I can better educate my patients about them. I believe that being a patient myself inspires confidence in my patients.”

BEFORE & AFTER

Dr. Egan is a leading innovator in minimally invasive procedures and is the only surgeon in Southern California to perform LazerLift—the only FDA-approved laser liposuction for the face and neck. For those patients who want

RECOMMENDED LazerLift is a one-time, one-hour, minimally invasive treatment designed to tighten the skin of the face and neck and remove excess fat using SmartLipo technology and no scalpel. This can be performed at the office and does not require general anesthesia. LazerLift uses the latest technology to take laser energy underneath your skin and stimulate collagen production in the dermis, which leads to improved skin elasticity, thickness and texture.

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minimal recovery time and an in-office procedure without the need for general anesthesia to address their jowls and neck, LazerLift is the perfect option.

PRACTICE SPECIALTY Dr. Egan is dual board-certified in both otolaryngology head and neck surgery and facial plastic and reconstructive surgery. Her practice incorporates her surgical skills with a focus on aesthetics and the desire for a more youthful and natural appearance. She is cognizant that a healthy, active lifestyle predominates in the South Bay and that patients desire subtle changes to their appearance to restore an image of themselves that matches how they feel.

I actively try out new technologies and products on myself so I can better educate my patients about them.�

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THE AESTHETIC CENTER AND MEDICAL WELLNESS 24544 Hawthorne Blvd., Torrance | 424-237-2622 | theaestheticcentertorrance.com

SERVICES OFFERED Aesthetic services (Botox, fillers, laser treatments, skin tightening) Concierge family practice medicine

Eyebrow microblading Esthetician services (facials, peels, microdermabrasion, dermaplaning) Permanent makeup application (brows, lips, areolas)

Q&A DESCRIBE THE ATMOSPHERE AT YOUR OFFICE.

“The Aesthetic Center prides itself on our array of aesthetic skin care treatments and on the beautiful aesthetics of our office. From the moment you walk in to the moment you leave, we surround you with a calm, beautiful and tranquil space … not your typical doctors’ office.”

WHAT ABOUT THE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM IS NOT WORKING WELL?

“With health costs rising and doctors merging with larger conglomerates like hospitals, they are expected to see more patients in a shorter amount of time. This causes undue stress for physicians and lack of sufficient care and time for patients. This is the reason Dr. Nelson decided to go the route of concierge medicine. Concierge medicine helps doctors step outside the traditional health insurance system to more comprehensive and personalized care. We give our patients same-day or next-day service and an unrushed experience. The doctor also communicates with his patients via phone and email. We serve as an agent for patients in dealing with their other medical-related services (ordering tests, getting appointments with specialists, etc.)”

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT YOUR CAREER IN THE HEALTH INDUSTRY? “I enjoy the fact that I have the opportunity to do multiple things that are all medical-based including: concierge in-office medical, aesthetics, hospice and advising on nutritional supplements like probiotics. It makes my days always full and never boring.”

PRACTICE SPECIALTY At The Aesthetic Center, we focus on finding the best ways to help our clients achieve younger, better-looking skin without plastic surgery. We are pleased to offer permanent makeup applications and eyebrow micro-blading. We also offer concierge medical services.

BEFORE & AFTER For those patients who are unsatisfied with their profiles, we offer two treatments— ThermiTight and Kybella—to help tighten saggy skin and reduce moderate to severe fat in the chin and neck areas. The patient photographed here was treated with Kybella for fat reduction in the chin area.

BEFORE & AFTER Aesthetics are not just for women. Men are making up about one-third of our patient base, and this number is increasing rapidly. Men are starting to realize and enjoy the benefits of treatments like Botox, fillers and lasers. The patient photographed here received Botox for his severe to moderate crow’s feet.

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We focus on finding the best ways to help our clients achieve younger, better-looking skin without plastic surgery.�

L to R: Dr. Cary Nelson, Olga O’Campo-Lee, Katie Hong, Angela Winter, Britni Hurtado

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BEACH CITIES VEIN AND LASER CENTER MARK RAYMAN, MD 390 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Suite 1030 El Segundo 310-906-2287 BeachVeins.com facebook.com/BeachCitiesVeinCenter

SERVICES OFFERED Varicose vein treatments Spider vein treatments Leg veins

Hand veins Facial veins Chest veins

Q&A WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE POTENTIAL PATIENTS TO KNOW ABOUT YOU?

“Over the past two decades, I’ve been fortunate to treat the friends and family of many of my patients. I’ve also treated many doctors, nurses and other health care professionals. I’d like any perspective patient to be assured that I am comfortable taking on the most difficult cases, and that I make it a point to really listen to their concerns, understand their needs and help them get the results that they want.”

WHAT’S MOST REWARDING ABOUT YOUR WORK?

“My greatest rewards come from the satisfaction that my patients have with their results. It might be that the patient was formerly in pain and is

BEFORE & AFTER

now pain-free. Or it might be a cosmetic issue that previously made them self-conscious. Once these issues are resolved, the patients’ lives are truly transformed. All too often I hear the words, ‘I wish I would have done this a long time ago.’”

TELL US ABOUT YOUR BACKGROUND.

“I grew up in Southern California and attended undergraduate and medical school at UCLA. I completed a residency at Cedars Sinai in diagnostic radiology and then returned to UCLA for a fellowship in vascular and interventional radiology. I am double-board certified by the American Board of Radiology (Vascular and Interventional Radiology) and the American Board of Venous and Lymphatic Medicine.”

SHARED TIP Varicose veins can be visible bulging, enlarged veins or hidden deep below the skin where only an ultrasound can provide a correct diagnosis. Vein problems may be accompanied by swollen legs, skin changes and venous ulcers.

Symptoms may include aching, throbbing or cramping pain. We address these problems through comfortable, affordable outpatient procedures—often covered by insurance. For patients with cosmetic concerns, Dr. Rayman specializes in hand rejuvenation, which may involve hand vein removal, volumization and/or age spot removal.

If you’re a patient who has varicose veins and would really like to get them treated, but either you can’t afford to take much time off for recovery, don’t want to wear compression stockings or you hate needles, there’s a great new treatment that may be perfect for you.

It’s called VenaSeal, and it’s now available at Beach Cities Vein and Laser Center. The VenaSeal procedure is easy to undergo. Results are instantaneous, with no downtime required. Patients can often drive themselves home after the procedure and can immediately return to normal activities.

PRACTICE SPECIALTY Beach Cities Vein and Laser Center is a state-of-the-art facility that helps patients resolve their vein problems, from the simplest of spider veins to the most complex and disfiguring varicose veins and venous stasis ulcers. Patients who want the very best results often find themselves here, where advanced ultrasound capabilities (supervised by Dr. Rayman, an expert in venous ultrasound) assure an accurate diagnosis. A complete range of treatments is available to patients, tailored to their particular needs. The ultimate goal: to get each patient to look and feel great so they can wear the clothes they want to wear and do the things they want to do.

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In our beautiful office, we provide the highest level of care and best results possible to each patient.�

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REVIVE WELLNESS CENTERS SHONDA CHASE, FNP 22330 Hawthorne Blvd., Suite J Torrance 310-375-7599 revivecenter.com

SERVICES OFFERED Cosmetic surgery Medical aesthetic treatments Feminine rejuvenation

Laser treatments Cellulite and skin rejuvenation

Q&A TELL US ABOUT A COMPLEX CHALLENGE YOU HELPED A PATIENT SOLVE.

“Revive always hopes every patient gets natural results from their medical treatments, no matter what medical practice they go to for treatment. Some of the most challenging situations we treat are the mistakes made by other aesthetic injectors and physicians. Revive is sure that most readers have seen the reality show Botched. Occasionally patients have been ‘over-done’ and come to Revive for corrections. This includes treatments such as: larger-than-wanted breast augmentations, failed neck lifts, too much dermal filler (especially lips) and Botox injected in the wrong place. Revive’s staff are

especially gratified when they can correct a patient’s mistakes and help accomplish more natural results so they can move forward with their lives.”

TELL US ABOUT THE STAFF AT YOUR PRACTICE.

“Each member of Revive’s staff has their ‘heart bone’ connected to their ‘head bone.’ Patients find Revive’s staff to be emotionally responsive to what they share when they are at Revive. Revive’s staff are always listening for what our patients are trying to say while talking with them. The high level of attention that Revive pays to our patients helps fulfill Revive’s mission to improve the quality of their lives.”

We love to celebrate with our patients when their feelings about themselves are greatly improved.”

PRACTICE SPECIALTY

PRACTICE SPECIALTY

Revive Wellness Centers provide one of the most comprehensive portfolios of medical rejuvenation, improvements and wellness in Southern California. Revive Wellness Center practices are centers of medical excellence. Revive is nationally ranked #70 by Allergan out of 35,000 medical practices. This means that Revive is one of the most experienced and proficient providers of Botox and dermal fillers in the nation. This helps assure Revive’s patients will receive natural results from their medical treatments.

At Revive, feeling much better about yourself is as important as looking younger and refreshed after your treatments. Revive’s care for each patient extends far beyond improvements to their appearance. Revive’s staff cares even more about the emotional and well-being improvements as much as the patient’s healthy aging results. A part of each patient’s treatment includes a conversation about how the treatment(s) can improve the quality of each patient’s life and self-esteem.

BEFORE & AFTER Revive’s staff is always pleased to hear reports from our patients about how their treatments have improved all aspects of their lives. We love to celebrate with our patients when their feelings about themselves are greatly improved. We’re glad when their relationships with their family and their friends improve as a result of their aesthetic results.

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Shonda Chase, FNP, and Allan Wu, MD, CTBS, FACOG, FAACS, FACS, Diplomat, American Board of Cosmetic Surgery

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SOUTH BAY PLASTIC SURGEONS 3640 Lomita Blvd., Suite 306 Torrance 310-784-0644 plasticsurgerysource.com

SERVICES OFFERED Mommy makeover Breast surgery Non-surgical skin tightening

Liposuction and CoolSculpting Laser hair removal and laser facials Facial rejuvenation using fillers and Botox

Q&A DESCRIBE YOUR PRACTICE.

“South Bay Plastic Surgeons is the largest cosmetic practice in the South Bay. With our own medical spa, surgery center and medical practice we can treat nearly any cosmetic concern, head-to-toe. With four board-certified plastic surgeons, we specialize in breast reconstruction along with all cosmetic procedures including tummy tuck, mommy makeover, breast augmentation, liposuction, rhinoplasty and face and neck lifts. With our nurses and aestheticians we have an entirely noninvasive arsenal to assist with facial aging, laser hair removal and fat reduction. Our practice is exciting and constantly evolving to make sure we keep up with industry standards!”

youthful and well-rested. We love helping people achieve these natural-looking results because they tell all their friends, rave about us on social media, and most importantly these changes have a huge impact on their confidence.”

HOW DO YOU EDUCATE YOUR PATIENTS TO TAKE GOOD CARE OF THEMSELVES?

HOW DO YOU MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE OVERALL WELL-BEING OF YOUR PATIENTS?

“Our staff is devoted to passing on our decades of experience and knowledge to you. Our aestheticians meet with clients for a free consultation to assess their skin type. We then empower clients with the knowledge of how to take care of their skin so they can maintain a healthy, youthful skin tone and reverse the effects of aging. We have the same philosophy with surgery: Our surgeons educate clients on the various options so clients can make an informed decision and maintain their excellent results.”

RECOMMENDED

CAREER MILESTONE

We are excited about the newest nonsurgical technology to reduce fat and tighten loose skin. CoolSculpting for fat reduction takes only one hour, and it is performed while you are awake. A small suction cup cools the fat in the area so it simply dissolves away! Common treatment areas include the abdomen, love handles, thighs, arms and neck. We often combine this treatment with our nonsurgical skin-tightening technology called ThermiRF. CoolSculpting can help get rid of exercise-resistant fat, and Thermi can help tighten sagging or loose skin. The nonsurgical treatments that are out there are amazing!”

Our brand new surgery center is open and has been Joint Commissionaccredited. The Aesthetic Institute is a beautiful, welcoming space with state-of-the-art equipment to make sure our patients have a phenomenal experience and amazing outcome. We only use board-certified anesthesiologists at our center to ensure that our patients’ health is our top priority.”

“Less is more. Today we are seeing men and women who want to look

BEFORE & AFTER

This patient is a 29-year-old who wanted to improve her nasal contour without looking fake or “overdone.” Like many patients who undergo rhinoplasty or septoplasty, she also complained of difficulty breathing, especially when exercising. She now has a beautiful, natural and functional result.

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L to R: Michael Newman, MD, FACS Whitney Burrell, MD, FACS Charles Spenler, MD, FACS Lisa Jewell, MD, FACS

The nonsurgical treatments that are out there are amazing!�

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MANHATTAN BEACH PLASTIC SURGERY JAY W. GRANZOW, MD, MPH, FACS 14650 Aviation Blvd.,Suite 210 Manhattan Beach 310-882-6261 manhattanbeachplasticsurgery.com

SERVICES OFFERED Rhinoplasty Breast enhancement (augmentation lift or reduction) Mommy makeover Body contouring

Abdominoplasty Facial rejuvenation (face/neck/eyelid lift) Injectables (Voluma, Juvederm and Botox)

Q&A WHAT’S ONE TREND THAT IS CHANGING PLASTIC SURGERY TODAY?

“Nowadays, more professionals are seeking plastic surgery. They don’t want anything heavy-handed, obvious or distracting in a business setting.

For professional women, it’s all about aging gracefully. I can achieve subtle results, often with strategic injections or surgical procedures such as minifacelifts and mini-lipos.”

WHAT IS YOUR ADVICE TO PATIENTS WHO WANT TO RESHAPE THEIR NOSE (RHINOPLASTY)?

WHAT IS A COMMON MISCONCEPTION ABOUT MOMMY MAKEOVERS?

“Many moms think that subtle results are not possible because they often see exaggerated results in LA. Most moms who come to see me want to look better but not ‘operated on.’ For some patients, fat grafting is an option for a more natural breast augmentation.”

PLEASE DESCRIBE YOUR PRACTICE.

“I believe a natural look and better breathing are most important. The result must fit the patient’s face and will be uniquely different for each person. I emphasize these points both in my surgical practice and when teaching rhinoplasty at UCLA and USC.”

“My philosophy has always been to provide patient-centered care. I really spend time getting to know my patients and their concerns. I have compulsive attention to detail, which shows in the office and in surgery. We have a warm and caring staff that treats patients like family. I’m thankful for all of our wonderful patients and friends in the South Bay and for their continuing support over the last 10 years.”

SHARED TIP

RECOMMENDED

My rhinoplasty approach comes from years of experience as both a board-certified plastic surgeon and board-certified ENT surgeon. The goal is for the result to appear so natural that it’s difficult to tell that surgery has been done without before and after photos. To achieve this, I commonly use the “closed” technique, which leaves no visible scars on the outside of the nose. In addition, I prefer to incorporate improvements in breathing at the same time.

“Mommy makeover” surgery can be very effective in improving the breast and tummy areas after having children. However, an often overlooked first step to address the physical changes that occur after pregnancy is physical therapy for women’s health to bring back the shape and tone of the tummy and other areas. This can help moms avoid the need for a tummy tuck. Physical changes in the breast and tummy that physical therapy can’t fix can be improved with surgery to bring back a more proportionate shape without looking overdone.

My philosophy has always been to provide patientcentered care.”

OFF THE CLOCK WITH DR. GRANZOW As anyone with young children knows, life has changed a lot since their arrival. Previous pursuits such as swimming, bodysurfing and volleyball have taken a backseat to family activities such as going to the playground, reading books on ABCs and numbers, and fixing toy cars and trucks. That said, I wouldn’t change a thing.

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GOLDBERG PLASTIC SURGERY 436 North Bedford Drive, Suite 104, Beverly Hills 23560 Madison Avenue, Suite 103, Torrance 310-325-0310 goldbergplasticsurgery.com

SERVICES OFFERED Breast reconstructions Breast reconstruction revision Breast augmentation Liposuction

Mommy makeover Body contouring after massive weight loss

Q&A HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR PRACTICE?

“The scope of my practice goes beyond plastic and reconstructive surgery— making my specialty unique to the South Bay. After completing my plastic surgery residency, I did an additional fellowship in hand surgery and microsurgery. I have always been drawn to the complexity of microsurgery and the incredible amount of attention to detail it requires to get the best functional and aesthetic result. Although not all of my work requires a microscope, I greatly appreciate the finer details that make up the big picture.”

TELL US ABOUT YOUR STAFF.

“Communication has been absolutely fundamental to my surgical practice. We are dedicated to developing a tight-knit relationship with our patients to make their decision for surgery as stress-free as possible.

Navigating insurance policies can be daunting and stressful, so our staff is

devoted to ensuring that our patients are secure and informed about their options and that their medical team is advocating on their behalf. We work to ensure our patients completely understand their right to coverage as well as the financial implications of any decisions they choose to make.”

WHAT IS YOUR AREA OF SPECIALTY?

“My practice provides a full spectrum of breast reconstructions using the latest techniques. In recent years research and new technologies have greatly advanced reconstructive options. Unfortunately, many women who had reconstruction years ago may have less-than-desirable results.

I believe that these women absolutely deserve to have the best possible aesthetic results and a body they can be proud of. It’s because of this belief that breast reconstruction revision is one of my favorite procedures to perform.”

Our staff is devoted to ensuring that our patients are secure and informed about their options and that their medical team is advocating on their behalf.”

CAREER MILESTONE I am happy to announce my new affiliation with St. John’s Health Center in Santa Monica! After adding an additional office in Beverly Hills I am now thrilled to provide care from the South Bay to the greater Los Angeles area.

After expanding, I feel that I have given my patients more options so they can be treated in a facility where they feel most comfortable.

BEFORE & AFTER This patient had difficulty breathing, largely due to her septal deviation, and desired improvement in the shape and function of her nose. She underwent a septorhinoplasty and fat grafting to the midface.

SHARED TIP Fat transfer to the face has been taking the lead in innovative facial rejuvenation techniques, as it is minimally invasive and provides a natural and youthful result. As we age we lose the fat in our face, which leads to a hollow and tired appearance. The stem cells that naturally reside in the connective tissue of our fat (stromal stem cells) can be harvested and transferred to our face for volume correction and stem cell benefits. Patients have seen significant improvement in the quality of their skin and youthful appearance after this procedure.

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BEACH CITIES PLASTIC SURGERY DAVID BRAY, JR., MD 3445 Pacific Coast Highway, Suite 320 Torrance 310-326-9400 drdavidbrayjr.com

SERVICES OFFERED Facial rejuvenation Rhinoplasty Breast augmentation

Abdominoplasty Body contouring

Q&A WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE POTENTIAL PATIENTS TO KNOW ABOUT YOU?

“I am dedicated to providing my patients with the highest-quality results. I care for my patients as if they were family members. Every patient is treated as an individual with a treatment plan designed to achieve their goals.”

WHAT TREND IS DEFINING YOUR SPECIALTY TODAY?

“The trend that defines plastic surgery today in the South Bay is natural results. The extra-large breast implants, overly pulled face or over-injected lips are not in fashion. Patients want improvements that are natural, and in my opinion that is how plastic surgery should be performed.”

HOW DO YOU GIVE BACK TO YOUR COMMUNITY?

“Service to the community is important. I contribute to many local organizations including the Peninsula Education Foundation, PVIS Booster Club, and Vistas for Children. In addition, I volunteer time to teach plastic surgery residents at Harbor UCLA.”

TO WHAT DO YOU ATTRIBUTE YOUR PRACTICE’S GROWTH?

“I have been fortunate enough to see continued growth in my practice. I attribute this growth to my patients. My staff and I put forth every effort to provide patients with the highest quality of care and best possible experience. As a result, my patients have been kind enough to refer their friends and family.”

WHAT’S MOST REWARDING ABOUT YOUR WORK?

“Happy patients are the most rewarding part of my work. There is tremendous satisfaction that comes with helping a patient achieve their goals.”

PRACTICE SPECIALTY My practice is unique to the South Bay because I am board-certified by all three of the following boards: the American Board of Plastic Surgery, the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and the American Board of Otolaryngology. It took extra

years of hard work to achieve certification in all of these boards, but I believe it makes a difference to my patients. Board certification matters, and it is a great way to make sure your surgeon has the qualifications that you deserve.

Happy patients are the most rewarding part of my work.”

CAREER MILESTONE My selection to become an active member of the prestigious Rhinoplasty Society was an honor. The society is composed of the best rhinoplasty surgeons in the country, and a surgeon is only considered for membership if they perform a high volume of rhinoplasty operations each year. Rhinoplasty is considered the most difficult cosmetic plastic surgery procedure, and it is important to choose a skilled rhinoplasty surgeon.

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OFF THE CLOCK WITH DR. BRAY I was raised in the South Bay, and I have always enjoyed the great weather and beaches. Now that I have a family of my own, I get to enjoy the local lifestyle with my wife and three children. I spend most weekends playing sports with my boys, attending their sporting events or going to the beach.

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MEDI WEIGHTLOSS® SOUTHBAY AND TORRANCE 3828 Sepulveda Blvd.

Torrance 310-504-1622 mediweightloss.com/locations/torrance

SERVICES OFFERED Physician-supervised State-of-the-art diagnostic tools Covered by health insurance in many cases

Complimentary body mass index evaluation Complimentary body composition analysis Track fat loss vs. water or muscle loss

Q&A TELL US ABOUT MEDI-WEIGHTLOSS.

“Medi Weightloss is known as ‘The One That Works!’ for many reasons.

Many of our patients have tried other weight loss programs and have failed. Medi Weightloss is physician-supervised and has been proven to work in numerous clinical studies. Our experts give you the support, education, medication and tools you need to help you lose weight and keep it off. In fact, our average patient loses 6.4 pounds the first week and 14 pounds their first month—many have lost more than 20 pounds their first month. We are not about classes, pre-packaged food, a point system or promises. Our results speak for themselves. We offer state-of-the-art diagnostic tools. Our counselors offer one-on-one support regarding nutrition, fitness advice and lifestyle re-education. Our three-phase program has been proven to work over and over again.”

OFF THE CLOCK WITH DR. VOLPICELLI Did you know that excess abdominal fat not only looks bad and can hurt your confidence, but it can also increase your risk of heart disease, insulin resistance, diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea and even cancer? It’s true and scary! We can help you prevent that at Medi Weightloss with the proper education and medication. Let us help you succeed on your weight loss journey!

DESCRIBE YOUR BACKGROUND.

“I have been a successful practitioner of medicine for more than 30 years and I am currently pursuing my clinical interest in bariatric medicine to help educate patients in how to lose their weight and keep it off through evidencebased nutrition, medication and exercise plans. I am ABO board-certified and am passionate about exercise physiology, nutrition, health and wellness.”

WHAT CAN A NEW CLIENT EXPECT?

“Our programs start with a comprehensive history and physical exam with an EKG, laboratory evaluation and a total body composition analysis. We then learn about your personal eating habits, activities and lifestyle. Then we customize a plan that works especially for you. You will be assigned your own personal counselor who works with you one-on-one to achieve your weight loss goal, and if necessary we can prescribe the right medicine to help you achieve success.”

SHARED TIP My #1 tip for achieving and maintaining weight loss goals is to keep a food journal. I love our food journal because there’s a space for everything. Not only does it track caloric intake, it can identify eating habits to ensure you are making appropriate diet and lifestyle changes.

RECOMMENDED The ReeVue™ metabolic test is a tool that helps us identify how much energy you burn over a 24-hour period by estimating your Resting Energy Expenditure (REE). That is the number of calories your body burns at rest.

Your caloric prescription (the number of calories you can consume each day without gaining weight) will be based on your individual results.

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L to R: Nurse practitioner Chinyelu C., office manager Judy D., Dr. Mark Volpicelli, medical assistant Irving S.

Working in the health care industry allows me to make a lasting difference in the lives of my patients.

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HUTCHINSON DENTAL DR. CHRISTINA L. HUTCHINSON, DDS 512 Main Street #4, El Segundo 310-640-2025 hutchinsondds.com

SERVICES OFFERED Family dentistry Esthetic dentistry

Implant restorations TMD and sleep

Q&A TELL US ABOUT YOUR PRACTICE.

“Hutchinson Dental is a family dental practice that can accommodate a variety of dental needs. We have excellent hygienists to keep your teeth and gums healthy, and we offer a variety of restorative procedures. We mostly perform general dentistry procedures, but if something more in the way of cosmetic dentistry or management of sleep disorders is needed, we also offer those services. In addition, we have an exceptional network of specialists that we utilize when needed.”

HOW DO YOU EDUCATE YOUR CLIENTS TO TAKE GOOD CARE OF THEMSELVES?

“I try to get patients involved and educate them about issues specific to them. If it’s gum recession, I get out the mirror and explain what’s ideal, how they differ and what’s possible with grafting. If it’s a cracked tooth, I like intra-oral photographs to show patients on the monitor what’s going

RECOMMENDED Just when I thought Philips Sonicare had the best power toothbrush around, they made their product even better! This year they launched the Philips Sonicare FlexCare Platinum Connected, and it’s perfect for those patients who are tuned in. It provides a truly customized brushing experience! It has Bluetooth technology to sync to your phone to tell you which areas you’re missing and which areas you’re brushing too hard. It provides coaching advice and tells you when it’s really time to replace your brush head.

Genius!

on and what is needed to restore stability to damaged teeth. If it’s decay, I like to review checkup X-rays to show where it’s happening and what they can do at home to reverse early decay or prevent it from happening at other teeth.”

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT YOUR CAREER IN THE HEALTH INDUSTRY?

“I love being a resource to so many patients outside dentistry. Sure, I enjoy educating patients how to take better care of themselves, being a part of restoring oral health or giving someone a beautiful smile. But patients are more than just their teeth and gums, and I often find myself talking to patients about their breathing, posture or diet. It’s always a treat to have patients come back six months later to report they took me up on whatever advice and it’s been helpful to them.”

OFF THE CLOCK WITH DR. HUTCHINSON My husband and I just moved back to the “bubble” from a short departure to Marina del Rey. It doesn’t matter how much more house you get there, nothing beats the South Bay and we couldn’t wait to come back!

We have our rituals, favorite restaurants and traditions back; it’s great to be home!

BEFORE & AFTER I have a patient who had open spaces after braces and had old bondings to close the spaces, which didn’t look the greatest. She wanted to close the spaces but didn’t want porcelain veneers. So instead we did direct resin restorations to improve the shape of her teeth and close the spaces.

Now she has a fuller smile, and her original tooth structure is intact underneath. It doesn’t get more conservative than this. Next we’re doing the same with her lower teeth!

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Patients are more than just their teeth and gums, and I often find myself talking to patients about their breathing, posture or diet.�

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BEACH TEETH NIKI MAGHAMI, DDS, MS SERVICES OFFERED

451 Manhattan Beach Blvd., Suite C232, Manhattan Beach 310-545-4440 beachteeth.com

Smile makeover Full-mouth rehabilitation All-on-4® treatment concept

Veneers/crowns/bridges Removable appliances Radiation clearance

Q&A TELL US ABOUT YOUR PRACTICE.

“Our office features state-of-the-art equipment, including digital X-ray, cone beam computed tomography, and computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) technology, to allow for most most advanced practice of dentistry today. I am supported by a team of office managers, experienced assistants and great hygienists. I enjoy a great working relationship with Dr. Norris and Dr. Ozer at Beach Teeth.”

and practiced at the UCLA faculty group dental practice. I have remained a lecturer at UCLA, working with postgraduate residents. In 2012 I started working at Beach Teeth and the Global Institute for Dental Education Implant Center. In 2015 I completed a UCLA sleep medicine miniresidency program.”

WHAT IS YOUR AREA OF SPECIALTY?

“I completed my DDS degree from University of Illinois at Chicago, followed by a three-year advanced prosthodontics residency at VA West Los Angeles Medical Center and a fellowship in maxillofacial prosthetics at UCLA. I worked at UCLA as an assistant clinical professor from 2007 to 2011. During that time I served as chair and co-chair for the pre-clinical courses, worked as a clinical instructor

“Prosthodontics is a specialty area of dentistry where in-depth knowledge and experience is gained by treating highly complex dental conditions that are beyond the practice of general dentistry. My training and subsequent professional experience have equipped me to tackle a wide array of dental conditions, ranging from general dentistry to full-mouth rehabilitation. I am an expert in aesthetic dentistry, replacing missing teeth (removable prostheses such as dentures, teeth in one day and other implant restorations), temporomandibular joint disorder and sleep apnea.”

CAREER MILESTONE

OFF THE CLOCK WITH DR. MAGHAMI

DESCRIBE YOUR BACKGROUND.

I have several highlights in my career, but my most proud milestone is the collaboration with my mentor to help co-author a chapter in the only published textbook in the field of maxillofacial prosthetics: Maxillofacial Rehabilitation: Prosthodontic and Surgical Management of Cancer-Related, Acquired, and Congenital Defects of the Head and Neck.

I am a proud mother of two girls, ages 9 and 7, who attend primary school in Manhattan Beach. I am experiencing the world through their experiences. We love to explore museums, go to concerts, draw, dance and play. They have ignited many forgotten passions for both my husband and me. We moved to the South Bay to enjoy all that it offers—from its sandy beaches to eclectic restaurants, hiking trails and a friendly community.

BEFORE & AFTER This case illustrates a prosthodontist’s critical role in the outcome of a comprehensive dental treatment. My patient in this picture had failing and missing teeth with moderate to severe bone loss along with a para-functional habit (i.e., grinding teeth). A comprehensive evaluation was required by a team comprised of an endodontist, a prosthodontist and a periodontist for accurate diagnosis and planning. Considering the patient’s chief concerns, a treatment plan was customized to meet his needs. At that point I planned, coordinated and sequenced all the procedures including root canal treatments, surgical crown lengthening, soft and hard tissue grafting, and implant placements along with my restorative treatments. I worked with a skilled dental laboratory to design the final CAD/CAM zirconia restorations.

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My training and subsequent professional experience have equipped me to tackle a wide array of dental conditions, ranging from general dentistry to full-mouth rehabilitation.�

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SUMMER ORTHODONTICS SUMMER L. BLAKE, DDS, MS 451 Manhattan Beach Blvd., Suite D-224 Manhattan Beach 310-545-0770 summerorthodontics.com

SERVICES OFFERED Damon Clear Incognito (lingual braces)

Invisalign Insignia Accelerated treatment

Q&A WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE POTENTIAL PATIENTS TO KNOW ABOUT YOU?

“Delivering the highest quality treatment is my top priority. Every decision I make in my practice is based upon one simple rule: will this decision improve the patient experience?”

HOW DO YOU GIVE BACK TO YOUR COMMUNITY?

WHAT TREND IS DEFINING YOUR SPECIALTY TODAY?

“The technology available in modern orthodontic care has dramatically improved the patient experience. Increased patient comfort, reduced treatment time and less visible treatment options are the results of these advances. In fact, many adults are opting for orthodontic treatment who never would have considered it before.”

“We support a variety of community programs as diverse as the interests of our patient base. From education to sports to arts, we are engaged in supporting programs that put our patients’ beautiful smiles to good use throughout the South Bay.”

WHAT’S MOST REWARDING ABOUT YOUR WORK?

OFF THE CLOCK WITH DR. SUMMER

SHARED TIP

Spending time with my family is my top priority outside of the office. The South Bay is an amazing place to raise a family. I also love to travel and experience new places. When I’m in town, I enjoy yoga, Pilates and walking on The Strand.

It is never too late to have a confident smile. More than 40% of our patients are adults. Advancements in technology cannot only dramatically reduce treatment time (in some cases by as much as 50%) but can also offer a variety of hidden and inconspicuous treatment options.

“Seeing the confidence patients exude from their new smile is really rewarding. However, I also enjoy getting to know each patient throughout their treatment.”

Seeing the confidence patients exude from their new smile is really rewarding.”

PRACTICE SPECIALTY

The staff at Summer Orthodontics is not only highly experienced (the clinical staff averages more than 10 years of experience in orthodontics) but also friendly and outgoing. The staff is a huge part of making treatment a positive (and even fun) experience.

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STEVEN K. OKAMOTO, DDS & MICHELLE OKAMOTO, DDS SERVICES OFFERED

22330 Hawthorne Boulevard, Suite E, Torrance 310-373-1120 okamotodds.com

Preventative care (exams, cleanings, X-rays) All-On-Four Invisalign ZOOM Diagnosis and treatment of sleep apnea

Q&A DESCRIBE YOUR PRACTICE.

Mary Ann Okayama: “I work with a wonderful team of professionals who are dedicated to patient care. As the office administrator, I assist patients in maximizing and understanding their dental benefits. As a courtesy to our out-of-network patients, I file all dental claims and provide follow-up. We understand dentistry is an investment, so helping patients with payment options is a priority.”

TELL US ABOUT YOUR TEAM.

Mary Ann: “I’m fortunate to work for two talented doctors who are dedicated and passionate about dentistry. Our team brings a wealth of experience and knowledge—combined more than 50 years of clinical experience. To provide patients with a quality experience, our team members are cross-trained.”

WHAT QUESTION OR CONCERN DO YOU FREQUENTLY HEAR?

Mary Ann: “‘Will my insurance pay for treatment?’ Our office presents treatment based on the patient’s overall health. Dental insurance will help pay for treatment, however, depending on the policy it may cover all or partial expense. We are sensitive to patients’ financial concerns, therefore our office provides patients with several payment options.”

WHAT’S MOST REWARDING ABOUT YOUR WORK?

Mary Ann: “It’s rewarding to help patients achieve the ability to have that dream smile, eat their favorite foods or achieve better health. Understanding dental insurance can be a daunting task, so to be able to help in any way in navigating that process and any additional resources to allow them choices in their dental health care is gratifying.”

OFF THE CLOCK WITH THE TEAM AT STEVEN K. OKAMOTO, DDS, INC. Recently our team members worked with CDA Cares in Ventura, a volunteer dental program through the California Dental Association that provides no-charge cleanings, fillings, treatment of infection and oral health education.

PRACTICE SPECIALTY Mary Ann Okayama, our office administrator, was raised in Seal Beach and currently lives in Tustin with her husband, Michael. Mary Ann began working with Dr. Steve almost 10 years ago. She attended California State University at Long Beach. graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in business management.

When not serving patients, Mary Ann enjoys baking, trying new restaurants and taking her German shepherd, Hunter, to the dog beach. Yearly trips to Hawaii are a favorite, and she most cherishes spending time her husband parents.

SHARED TIP Your health is our priority, and we want to simplify the process as you partner with us in your dental care. In order to lessen any anxiety and streamline the process, all information regarding our team members and services offered as well as new patient forms are available on our website at okamotodds.com. You may also call our office and request a New Patient Information Packet that can be mailed directly to your home! To ensure you can afford the optimum care for your dental health, our office offers patients several payment options. We accept all major credit cards and offer a 5% courtesy on amounts over $1000. Monthly payment plans are available to qualifying patients.

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L to R: Stacy Oshima, Renee Nishihira, Dr. Michelle Okamoto, Dr. Steven Okamoto, Solivary Chum, Mary Ann Okayama, Michelle Luciano, Isumi Muto

Our team brings a wealth of experience and knowledge— combined more than 50 years of clinical experience.”

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DR. MELLERT AND ASSOCIATES 3480 Torrance Blvd., Suite 100 Torrance 310-543-123 DentistTorrance.com

SERVICES OFFERED General and family dentistry Aesthetic bonding Gum grafting Implant placement and restoration

Crowns and bridges Dental hygiene services Sleep apnea oral appliances Invisalign

Q&A WHAT IS YOUR DENTAL PRACTICE BEST KNOWN FOR?

“Drs. Mellert, Brown and Mellert Houck provide a complete range of cosmetic dental services including beautiful veneers, conservative aesthetic bonding, professional teeth whitening, Invisalign and dental implants. Our goal is to give you a smile you can be confident with.”

HOW DO YOU WORK WITH OTHER HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS?

DESCRIBE THE ATMOSPHERE IN YOUR PRACTICE.

“We receive referrals from many physicians in the South Bay. Often dental disease needs to be treated prior to joint replacement surgery, organ transplantation and treatment for many types of cancer. We also have close relationships with referring physicians to make sleep apnea appliances for their patients.”

CAREER MILESTONE

OFF THE CLOCK WITH DR. JAMIE MELLERT HOUCK

“We are a compassionate and patient-centered office that provides comprehensive dental care to patients of all ages. Our goal is for the patient to feel completely comfortable with every aspect of their treatment. We believe that emotional health is just as important as dental health. Tremendous effort goes into the patient and team working together to minimize any anxiety the patient may have.”

After being in practice in the South Bay for more than 34 years, Dr. James Mellert was pleased to welcome his daughter Dr. Jamie Mellert Houck to join him in his practice. Dr. Mellert Houck is a fourthgeneration USC dentist and a great addition to our dental team.

When Dr. Mellert Houck is not in the office, she loves hiking in Palos Verdes with her dog, Joey, and her husband, Tim, singing and playing the piano, and volunteering throughout the community.

PRACTICE SPECIALTY If you have been diagnosed with a sleep-related breathing disorder, are intolerant to a CPAP or keep others awake due to snoring, a dental appliance could change your life dramatically.

Dr. Steven Brown has had enormous success helping patients with mild to moderate sleep apnea or snoring through management with a dental appliance. He would be honored to help you have a better night’s sleep.

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L to R: Dr. James Mellert Dr. Jamie Mellert Houck Dr. Steven Brown

Our goal is to give you a smile you can be confident with.�

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WAYNE T. TOFUKUJI, DDS, PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY WARREN T. TOFUKUJI & WAYNE T. TOFUKUJI 22330 Hawthorne Boulevard, Suite 312 Torrance 310-375-7671

SERVICES OFFERED Saliva bacteria test Preventive sealants Digital radiographs

Esthetic dentistry CAMBRA preventive program

Q&A TELL US ABOUT A COMPLEX CHALLENGE YOU HELPED A PATIENT SOLVE.

“When a child has a bad, traumatic experience at another office, I really love that I can treat this child with just a local anesthetic and not have to sedate him/her or bring in our anestheologist. Many parents are amazed that most children have no idea that we used a local anesthetic (‘shot’).

We help young patients leave with a good experience and not be dentalphobic for the rest of their lives.”

WHAT IS YOUR #1 PIECE OF ADVICE TO THOSE WHO CHOOSE A HEALTH CARE CAREER? “I would recommend that someone interested in the dental field do an internship where they have an opportunity to shadow a dentist. I have had quite a few students come in to observe—many who ended up working in the dental profession. I actually had one student who decided not to go into the dental field after observing. At first I was sad, but then I realized it was good that he got to see what the field of dentistry was like and decided to pursue something different and more suitable for him.”

CAREER MILESTONE

Dr. Wayne was born and raised in the South Bay. His hobbies and interests include U.S. Masters Swimming, fishing and traveling with his wife, three daughters and four grandchildren. Community service has always been important for Dr Wayne. He participated in the California Dental Association CDA Cares program, providing dental services to the underserved, disabled and low-

income community. He has helped with dental examinations at the Special Olympics, and as recently as last year he went to Thailand as part of his church mission tour and performed examinations, fluoride treatment and extractions in the village he visited. Dr. Wayne has also volunteered at the South Bay Children’s Health Center during National Children’s Dental Health Month.

CAREER MILESTONE

SHARED TIP

A big milestone that meant a lot to me and our patients was when I became a Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry. To pass the test, I had to take a rigid oral and written examination to demonstrate proficiency in multiple areas that encompassed all of pediatric dentistry.

This included preventive dentistry, special needs children growth and development, and restorative dentistry. This also means I have accepted and made a commitment and lifelong learning in my profession.

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends seeing a dentist when an infant’s first tooth erupts or at the infant’s 1st birthday— whichever comes first. There are many problems that could be prevented if we could see infants at an early age. We incorporate our CAMBRA (Caries Management by Risk Assessment) program at this early age. We can customize an infant’s oral hygiene regimen depending on their risk to develop dental caries. We educate parents about the use of the milk bottle, teething problems, nutritive sucking habits (thumb and pacifier), brushing and flossing. One big thing we also do is a saliva bacteria test, which detects the levels of streptococcus mutans—the strain of bacteria implicated in causing dental caries (cavities).

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We help young patients leave with a good experience and not be dental-phobic for the rest of their lives.�

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TORRANCE PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY AND ORTHODONTICS 3565 Torrance Blvd., Suite B Torrance 310-792-6262 torrpdo.com

SERVICES OFFERED White pediatric zirconia crowns Sedation and hospital dentistry Special needs care Frenectomies Custom athletic mouthguards

Invisalign and Invisalign Teen Traditional and esthetic braces Comprehensive orthodontic treatment for children, adolescents and adults Advanced digital scanning technology

Q&A PLEASE GIVE A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF YOUR PRACTICE.

“We are a pediatric dental and orthodontic practice—one of the few in Southern California—providing comprehensive care for infants, children, adolescents, adults and those with special needs. We deliver the best possible results for our patients through collaborative care and have been serving the South Bay community for over 35 years.”

Botanical Gardens benefiting the South Bay Children’s Health Center.

We are also intimately involved with the Redondo Sunset Little League, sponsoring Doctor’s Field at Alta Vista Park. In addition, we provide dental screenings for special needs patients at Mychal’s Learning Place and support P.S. ARTS, a nonprofit providing arts education to underserved children in Los Angeles.”

DESCRIBE THE CULTURE OF YOUR PRACTICE.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR BACKGROUND.

“We are committed to ensuring a culture that is inviting, modern, techsavvy and fun for our patients and families. We not only look at the big picture, but we pay attention to the little things including an espresso machine, iPad stations, a community board highlighting special moments in our practice and a photo-op area for our patients. Most importantly, we provide personalized, patient-centered care delivered using modern techniques with a conservative approach.”

“We enjoy annually sponsoring the Champions for Children 5K run at the

“Dr. Spaulding is a board-certified pediatric dentist who earned his BA and DDS degrees from USC. He completed his MS in medical nutrition at the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons and received his pediatric dental residency training at Children’s Medical Center–Dallas/ Baylor College of Dentistry. Dr. Ariarad completed her Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry at UCLA and then attended UCLA School of Dentistry, where she obtained her DDS degree, a Master of Science degree in oral biology and a postdoctoral degree in advanced education in general dentistry. She completed her postdoctoral residency in orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics at University of Minnesota School of Dentistry.”

SHARED TIP

OFF THE CLOCK WITH THE DOCS

Dr. Spaulding believes early prevention and parent education create a foundation for healthy habits and optimal oral health. This starts with your child’s first visit by their 1st birthday. Dr. Ariarad believes in a close watch over a child’s dental and skeletal growth and development to determine the optimal timing of commencement of orthodontic treatment.

When Dr. Spaulding is not in the office, you can find him spending time with his wife and daughter—traveling, attending USC football games (Fight On!), surfing and always on the hunt for a good cup of coffee. Dr. Ariarad is a busy mom of two teenagers and is actively involved in her children’s school and club sports. She enjoys traveling with her family, skiing, cooking and reading.

HOW DO YOU GIVE BACK TO YOUR COMMUNITY?

We deliver the best possible results for our patients through collaborative care and have been serving the South Bay community for over 35 years.”

PRACTICE SPECIALTY Dr. Spaulding provides comprehensive pediatric care including infant exams, nutritional counseling, routine restorative care, frenectomies and personalized oral hygiene instruction. He is a medical staff member at Torrance Memorial Medical Center and Little Company of Mary Hospital and specializes in treating both healthy and special needs children in need of dental care or emergency services in the hospital setting. Dr. Ariarad provides comprehensive orthodontic treatment for children, adolescents and adults. She has invested in digital scanning and imaging technology for safer, more efficient and accurate results for her patients.

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L to R: Richard Spaulding, DDS, board-certified pediatric dentist Sepideh Ariarad, DDS, MS, orthodontist

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CELL LIFE MEDICAL FABIAN A. PROANO, MD 3701 Skypark Dr., Suite 260 Torrance

424-275-9821

SERVICES OFFERED

celllifemedical.com

Stem cell therapy for cervical & lumbar disc disease Stem cell therapy for joint arthritis (shoulder, hip, knee) PRP for musculo-skeletal pain & injuries

1200 Rosecrans Ave., Suite 110 Manhattan Beach

Q&A PLEASE GIVE A DESCRIPTION OF YOUR PRACTICE.

“We treat degenerative musculoskeletal conditions of joint arthritis and spinal disc disease with stem cell therapy. A stem cell procedure is a minimally invasive outpatient procedure with very little recovery time.”

TELL US ABOUT YOUR BACKGROUND.

“I have been practicing pain management in the South Bay for 25 years.

My specialty includes proficiency with precise image-guided spinal and joint injections. This background and expertise provides a natural extension to the field of stem cell therapy to treat the same conditions.”

and lifestyle they love. That is what I love most about my work, and that never gets old!”

WHAT TREND IS CHANGING YOUR SPECIALTY TODAY?

“Stem cell medicine is so exciting because it emphasizes unlocking your own body’s regenerative potential to treat problems that until now often required major surgery. It is a much more natural and homeopathic solution.”

WHAT DOES THE FUTURE HOLD FOR YOUR PRACTICE?

“Through my many years practicing interventional pain management, and more recently as I have expanded my field of work to incorporate regenerative medicine and stem cell therapy, I am most gratified when I can help patients relieve their pain and restore them to the activities

“We are literally just scratching the surface with regards to the potential of stem cell therapy. I am currently focusing on joint arthritis and disc disease because we know the tremendous benefits of stem cells for these conditions. However, stem cells are also being studied for many other diseases, and in the future they may hold the answer for conditions like heart disease, emphysema, diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease.”

OFF THE CLOCK WITH DR. PROANO

PRACTICE SPECIALTY

Dr. Proano has been a fixture in the South Bay medical community since 1990. Away from his busy practice, Dr. Proano and his wife Linda raised a family with three beautiful children who are each grown and embarking on their own successful careers. Dr. Proano is also an avid skier and sports fan.

His sporting passion is soccer, both as a fan attending the World Cup every four years and as a player in the local adult men’s leagues.

Cell Life Medical is a practice dedicated to the emerging field of regenerative medicine and stem cell therapy. Stem cells hold the promise of regenerating worn out tissues throughout our bodies. At Cell Life Medical we unlock the regenerative potential of our stem cells to treat joint arthritis and degenerative disc disease. It should also be emphasized that only your own autologous adult stem cells are used in this process. We absolutely do not use fetal or embryonic stem cells.

WHAT IS MOST REWARDING ABOUT YOUR WORK?

BEFORE & AFTER Degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease are conditions that up until now, medicine had no way to reverse their progression—often leading to major surgery like total joint replacement or spinal fusion. Your own body’s stem cells, taken from either bone marrow and/or fat tissue, can be placed into degenerative arthritic joints or discs and they will grow into new healthy cartilage or disc. Patients can obtain relief from debilitating pain and return to a more active and enjoyable lifestyle.

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Stem cell medicine is so exciting because it emphasizes unlocking your own body’s regenerative potential to treat problems that until now often required major surgery.�

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KAISER PERMANENTE MANHATTAN BEACH MEDICAL OFFICES 400 S. Sepulveda Blvd.

Manhattan Beach 800-780-1230 kp.org/southbay

SERVICES OFFERED Family medicine Internal medicine Obstetrics/gynecology Pediatrics

General surgery by referral X-ray Pharmacy Blood draw

Q&A WHAT IS YOUR PRACTICE BEST KNOWN FOR?

“Our Beach Cities patients have been asking for services closer to home, so we’re happy to be here! At our Manhattan Beach Medical Offices, we’ve re-imagined the health care experience. We’ve designed a healing environment that is convenient, comfortable and welcoming. Patients can see their doctors, fill prescriptions, get X-rays and have their blood drawn all under one roof. We have Saturday hours for patients who prefer weekend appointments, and we recently added general surgery appointments by referral.”

HOW DO YOU COORDINATE HEALTH CARE FOR PATIENTS?

“Our health care team is passionate about what we do and dedicated to helping our patients thrive. Our doctors, nurses, pharmacists and

support staff work closely together to keep our patients healthy. We are connected to patients and to each other through one of the most advanced electronic health record systems available today, which allows us to provide highly personalized and coordinated care.”

WHAT TREND IS CHANGING YOUR SPECIALTY TODAY?

“Technology helps us provide care when and where our patients want it. Patients can choose how to manage their health: online, by phone or in person. At our Manhattan Beach Medical Offices we offer video and telephone appointments when it’s medically appropriate. Our patients love the convenience of talking to their doctor from work, home or wherever they are—without making a trip to the doctor’s office.”

Our commitment to research and innovation is pioneering new ways to prevent, detect and treat illness.”

PRACTICE SPECIALTY

RECOMMENDED

We are leaders in prevention. Our routine appointments, preventive screenings and wellness programs help prevent you from getting sick in the first place. What many people do not know about Kaiser Permanente is that our commitment to research and innovation is pioneering new ways to prevent, detect and treat illness. From cancer to cardiology to high blood pressure and stroke, the excellent care we provide for these conditions and others leads to healthier patient outcomes.

SHARED TIP We make it easier to manage your health care whether you use a smartphone, tablet or desktop computer. Our Kaiser Permanente app is a simple way to stay on top of your health—and your family’s health—wherever you are. Within our secure app you can schedule appointments, email your doctor, refill prescriptions, access most lab results and find the nearest Kaiser Permanente facility. The app can be downloaded from the Apple App Store and Google Play.

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Here’s our prescription for health this winter: Get a flu shot. You’ll protect yourself and prevent the spread of flu to people who are most vulnerable, such as pregnant women, infants and seniors. Each year 30,000 people die from the flu. Kaiser Permanente members can get the flu shot at no charge when given at a Kaiser Permanente facility; go to kp.org/flu for a list of Southern California locations that offer the flu shot.

L to R: Katie Massoudian, MD; Roger Hartman, MD; Lisa Stekol, MD; Michael Wong, MD; Vidya Ramesh, MD; Cindy Chen-Smith, DO

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NVISION EYE CENTERS 23550 Hawthorne Blvd., Suite #220 Torrance 310-784-2020 nvisioncenters.com

SERVICES OFFERED Refractive eye surgery – LASIK and PRK Cataract surgery – monofocal and multifocal Refractive Lens Exchange

Implantable Collamer Lenses Intacs and Corneal Crosslinking (for keratoconus) Raindrop and KAMRA Inlay (for reading)

Q&A HOW DO YOU WORK WITH OTHER HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS TO CARE FOR YOUR PATIENTS?

professionalism of the doctors, staff and surgery center was impressive. I highly recommend this business.’”

“Your family eye doctor is an important part of the process. We work closely with hundreds of optometrists in the South Bay. We also work closely with primary care physicians and other ophthalmology specialists.”

DESCRIBE THE ATMOSPHERE AT YOUR OFFICE.

“Our YELP reviews say it all. We love hearing feedback like this from Patricia, a cataract patients ‘My experience at NVISION was fabulous. I went in for cataract surgery and decided to get the implants as well. It has been two months since my surgery, and I am ecstatic with the result. The

TELL US ABOUT THE STAFF AT YOUR PRACTICE.

“Our staff is wonderful. We receive many patient compliments about our staff, but the best compliment is when they refer friends and family to us. Our patient Val wrote: ‘Patient experience was excellent. Very helpful and friendly staff, doctors and all involved. One of my daughters has also had laser surgery with NVISION, and she’s also very satisfied with the results. We would both highly recommend NVISION to anyone “on the fence” wondering where to go or who to speak with about having laser eye surgery in the future.’”

We receive many patient compliments about our staff, but the best compliment is when they refer friends and family to us.”

PRACTICE SPECIALTY

PRACTICE SPECIALTY

Laser vision correction is a field of medicine that has always enjoyed frequent advances that improve accuracy and quality of results. Recently the FDA has approved a treatment that promises to be a real game-changer: Corneal Collagen Crosslinking for kerataconus. We recently began offering this treatment at our NVISION centers.

Cataract surgery is an amazingly successful procedure that is constantly evolving. Cataract surgery not only restores your ability to see, but we can also decrease your dependence on glasses. At NVISION we personalize an individual’s needs by providing a variety of different lens options and laserassisted surgery to optimize our results and outcomes. When it is time to have cataract surgery, it is important to know all your options so you can enjoy a lifetime of good vision.”

SHARED TIP “South Bay living means you’re active year-round—whether it’s surfing, skiing, snowboarding or even enjoying a walk on the beach. Ensure you protect your eyes from harmful UV rays by wearing sunglasses. It will keep your eyes looking young and healthy.” – Dr Susan Shin

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L to R: Franklin Lusby, MD, Medical Director Amarpreet Brar, MD, Cataract Medical Director Susan J. Shin, OD, Clinical Director

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USC SPORTS MEDICINE CENTER GEORGE F. RICK HATCH III, MD 1520 San Pablo Street, Suite 2000 Los Angeles 323-442-5860 drhatch.net ortho.keckmedicine.org/uscsports-medicine-center

SERVICES OFFERED Sports medicine Knee, shoulder and elbow surgery

PRP treatment Stem cell treatment

Q&A TELL US ABOUT YOUR BACKGROUND.

“A native of Montana, I received my medical degree and orthopaedic residency training from Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta and continued with subspecialty fellowship training in sports medicine and knee and shoulder surgery at the Kerlan Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic in Los Angeles and at Harvard Medical School in Boston. I have served as an associate team physician for various LA professional sports teams including the Lakers, Dodgers, Kings, Galaxy, Sparks and Avengers. I lecture at conferences around the country and have more than 40 peer-reviewed publications, nine textbook chapters and multiple national research awards.”

WHEN DID YOU START YOUR PRACTICE?

“I have been in practice now for more than 10 years. In addition to my private practice patients, I (along with my partners at the USC Sports Medicine Center) also provide athletic team coverage and care for USC

student athletes. I am heavily involved in orthopaedic sports medicine research and education.”

WHAT IS YOUR AREA OF SPECIALTY?

“My clinical practice has evolved to consist of both standard and highly complex sports medicine injuries, specifically those involving the knee and shoulder. My practice is best known for taking on challenging problems referred from other orthopaedic surgeons and hospitals.”

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT YOUR CAREER IN THE HEALTH INDUSTRY?

“The feeling of fulfillment one receives by having the ability (either by nonoperative means or by surgery) to have a direct positive impact on someone else’s life cannot be overstated. My profession stimulates me both intellectually and emotionally. I truly believe I have the best job on earth.”

PRACTICE SPECIALTY

Dr. Hatch is an associate professor of orthopaedics at the University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine and is part of the USC Sports Medicine/Shoulder & Elbow Service, a section of the USC Department of Orthopaedic Surgery. His private practice is based at Keck Medical Center of USC. Dr. Hatch specializes in disorders of the shoulder, knee and elbow as well as all sports-related injuries. He uses advanced arthroscopic and open surgical techniques to restore damaged joints, ligaments and bones. In addition to teaching medical students and orthopaedic surgical residents, he is fellowship director of the USC Orthopaedic Sports Medicine Fellowship.

CAREER MILESTONE

SHARED TIP

In 2014 I was inducted into the prestigious society of American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) for my clinical practice and research contributions in the area shoulder surgery. The ASES is a society of leading orthopaedic surgeons who specialize in surgery of the shoulder and elbow. It is responsible for the development of scientific programs, organization of current knowledge, standardization of nomenclature and publication of scientific materials. The membership, which is by invitation only, currently consists of only 507 members worldwide.

At the USC Sports Medicine Center we have a passion for recreational activities and sports. We treat professional, Olympic and Division I college athletes as well as weekend warriors. We share your passion for activity, and our goal is get you back to doing the things that you love to do! This is accomplished by recommending the best treatment plans based on the current scientific evidence, with the empathy that entails what we would choose as a treatment for ourselves or our family members.

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My profession stimulates me both intellectually and emotionally. I truly believe I have the best job on earth.�

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BEACH CITIES HEARING SOLUTIONS 888-405-BCHS beachcitieshs.com

SERVICES OFFERED Audiological services Hearing aids Vestibular rehabilitation

Q&A TELL US ABOUT A COMPLEX CHALLENGE YOU HELPED A PATIENT SOLVE.

“Positional vertigo is one of the most common vestibular disorders we see. After diagnosing someone with positional vertigo, we are able to perform a repositioning maneuver to help cure them in the office. Dizziness and imbalance can be a very disturbing experience for a patient. Getting our patients immediate results is something we specialize in.”

DESCRIBE THE ATMOSPHERE AT YOUR OFFICE.

“Our goal is to have a very inviting environment. The office has a beach theme with pictures of the ocean, sunsets and crashing waves so patients can feel comfortable and not feel like they are in a stuffy doctors office.”

WHAT ABOUT THE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM IS NOT WORKING WELL?

“Although we do take insurance, for audiologists insurance is a huge issue. The majority of patients have no coverage for hearing aids. It is mind-boggling how insurance companies fail to recognize the impairment that hearing loss is. So many people need help, and a lot of times it is an out-ofpocket expense for the patient.”

HOW DO YOU MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE OVERALL WELL-BEING OF YOUR PATIENTS?

“Improving someone’s hearing is a wonderful experience. Bringing someone back to a level of comfort in communicating with friends and family is very gratifying. Patients tend to become isolated with hearing loss, and friends and family become irritated and impatient. Losing hearing can be very devastating, and it requires a lot of personal care and understanding.”

SHARED TIP Hearing loss is correlated with a lot of different medical disorders. It’s important to ask your doctor to get an annual hearing test to make sure you’re not losing hearing.

OFF THE CLOCK WITH DR. LEITERMAN I spend time with my wife of 10 years, Shoshana, and two sons. I enjoy hot yoga, golf, playing basketball, coaching my son’s sports teams, and I am an avid rider of motorcycles.

PRACTICE SPECIALTY Hearing solutions and vestibular diagnostics. We specialize in finding the top hearing technologies to help improve people’s quality of life and helping physicians help diagnose vestibular disorders.

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L to R: Angie Ochoa; Naisy Vasquez; Yen Luu; Kim Mahloch, AuD; Jonathan Leiterman, ScD

Improving someone’s hearing is a wonderful experience.”

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SUTHA SACHAR, MD 3440 Lomita Blvd., Suite 420 Torrance 310-953-3269

SERVICES OFFERED Weight loss Fatigue relief Irritable bowel syndrome Food sensitivities Ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease

Heartburn Leaky gut syndrome Colonoscopy Upper endoscopy Vitamin and supplement restoration

Q&A DESCRIBE THE ATMOSPHERE AT YOUR OFFICE.

“I have been a gastroenterologist for 11 years and have been practicing in-

tegrative gastroenterology for the last five years. After my extensive training (and serving as chief fellow of gastroenterology) on the East Coast, I returned to California, where I practiced at Cedars Sinai Hospital in Beverly Hills. With the birth of my fourth child (out of five), we moved our family to the South Bay and have since been practicing in Torrance for six incredible years. I am affiliated with Cedar’s Sinai Hospital and Little Company of Mary in the South Bay. I have made many media appearances as an expert in my field, including on The Doctors, Health-Watch, CBSLA, The Test, Home & Family, the Hallmark Channel, Peninsula People, KCAL9 and Pasadena Star-News. I have been the spokesperson for great natural products like Metamucil and probiotics throughout the country. I am grateful for every opportunity that my past in medicine has provided and enjoy sharing with my patients the love I have for my career.”

SHARED TIP

CAREER MILESTONE

Dr. Sachar quickly realized the growing epidemic of obesity in our “healthy” South Bay. She has helped thousands of patients ages 18 to 88 successfully lose weight and gain energy on her “RESET” weight loss plan. Dr. Sachar’s diet plan using a trusted physiciansupervised approach is sustainable rather than gimmick diets that are not realistic. She believes that when patients are confident with their inner and outer self, their health, relationships and motivations improve as well. She is living her childhood dream of being a doctor who makes a difference.

I have been fortunate to be on multiple TV and other media outlets to spread my knowledge. The turning point in my career was when I got tired of writing so many prescriptions for everyday problems that could be treated with diet, lifestyle and natural solutions. Incorporating probiotics, enzymes, vitamin infusions, amino acids and trusted supplements has allowed me to integrate the best of traditional Western medicine with a holistic, Eastern approach. My patients feel so much better and their mood and physical, sexual and overall health markedly improved.

“The atmosphere in the office is warm, inviting and friendly. The staff treats patients like family, and we take more of a personal approach to keep patients at ease.”

TO WHAT DO YOU ATTRIBUTE THE GROWTH OF YOUR PRACTICE?

“I attribute my practice’s growth to incorporating nutrition and patient health as a whole. This integrative approach has allowed us to treat patients in a way that can be individually catered to their unique lives.”

TELL US ABOUT YOUR BACKGROUND.

The staff treats patients like family, and we take more of a personal approach to keep patients at ease.”

PRACTICE SPECIALTY As a double board-certified gastroenterologist and weight loss specialist, I understand the importance of how food sensitivities and vitamin-deficient food full of preservatives and GMOs affect our intestinal health. As a result it directly affects our everyday life. Patients come in with complaints of fatigue, brain fog and other nonspecific problems that they don’t think are related to their gastrointestinal tract. Teaching them the importance of intestinal flora and the integrity of the intestinal lining helps them see the importance of a healthy, functioning gastrointestinal system. Often diagnostic testing such as endoscopies and colonoscopies may be needed to make sure pre-cancerous or other ailments are not the etiology.

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THRILL ATHLETICS 200 N. Sepulveda, The Atrium El Segundo 310-596-4977 thrillathletics.com

SERVICES OFFERED CrossFit Barre Cycling

Yoga Corporate wellness

Q&A WAS THERE A DEFINING MOMENT IN YOUR CAREER THAT GUIDED YOU TO WHERE YOU ARE NOW?

“Years ago when we ran a traditional gym, a company asked us to host a Fitness Olympics for their clearly reluctant employees. But once the games started, it was mesmerizing to watch their body language and energy change—they were cheering, yelling and completely present in the moment. No one had to play with an iPhone desperate to find a motivational song. It became instantly clear to us that if we blended the emotions of playing a sport with the convenience and results of a gym, we could revolutionize fitness.”

encourage everyone from absolute beginners who feel intimidated to those who are already fit and accomplished.”

WHAT IS UNIQUE ABOUT YOUR STYLE AND TECHNIQUE?

TELL US ABOUT THE STAFF AT YOUR PRACTICE.

“We believe there are less than a handful of ways to find motivation through competition. For self-competition we have a martial arts style codex for CrossFit, barre and yoga so our athletes have external goals they can aspire to achieve. Become an amazing yogi and earn a ‘black mat.’

Achieve new levels of barre and wear ‘black socks.’ Individual competition is simple: Test yourself against other people in the class. But by far the most fun is team competition, because you have other people helping you and cheering you on.”

PRACTICE SPECIALTY

BEFORE & AFTER

The energy in Thrill classes comes from all the athletes rather than just the coach. We find that an inspirational “team” community helps people get far better results than one teacher trying to ignite a fire in a traditional group class.

We find that our athletes often become addicted to the Thrill of improving every single day. Our favorite line from one of them was the “Me” of today could kick the ass of the “Me” from two months ago. Watching their self-esteem grow is the reason we got into fitness.

“Every coach at Thrill takes to heart what their athletes achieve. They

By far the most fun is team competition, because you have other people helping you and cheering you on.”

RECOMMENDED Thrill believes you should Play Hard, not “work out.” We inspire our athletes with friendly competition so they have fun. After all, would you rather play a game with your friends or program an elliptical? And when your friends give you a high-five and tell you “Nice work!” it inspires athletes to keep playing. Because of that we have more smiles at Thrill than any other club in the world.

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Bring It, 2017 FEBRUARY 4&5

Redondo Beach Super Bowl 10k + Health & Fitness Expo

accomplish a personal dream by reaching the finish line in Santa Monica. lamarathon.com

APRIL

Get out, get active and start the year strong

JUNE 4–10

AIDS/LifeCycle San Francisco to Los Angeles

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Join thousands of bikers for a life-changing,

a.m. | 200 Portofino Way in Redondo Beach

Durham Seahorse Golf Classic

seven-day, 545-mile trek down the California

There may not be a better way to kick off

9:30 a.m. | Palos Verdes Golf Club

coast. aidslifecycle.org

Super Bowl Sunday than by running around the

Join the Peninsula Committee Children’s

streets of Redondo in your favorite NFL jersey

Hospital on the green for this annual

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followed by complimentary frosty beverages in

fundraising event. pcch.net

Redondo Beach Tri

Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and Sunday, 6 to 11

the post-race beer garden. redondo10k.com/expo

MARCH

MAY

7:30 a.m. | Redondo Beach Pier/Veteran’s Park in Redondo Beach

13 & 14

Whether you choose to participate in the

Relay For Life Manhattan Beach

Sprint (½-mile swim, 6-mile bike, 2-mile run)

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10 a.m. | Mira Costa High School

or Mini Sprint (¼-mile swim, 3-mile bike, 1-mile

Catalina Island Conservancy Marathon

Join this community fundraising walk that

run) division, your endurance on land and in

8 a.m. | Two Harbors on Catalina Island

continues to acknowledge and inspire those

the water will be tested to the fullest.

What better reason to cross the pond to

who have been affected by cancer as well as

rbtriathlon.com

Catalina than to explore its beauty by foot?

pay remembrance to lives that have been lost.

Choose from the 5k, 10k, marathon or Kids Run

relayforlife.org

for a memorable weekend adventure. runcatalina.com

21 Tour de Pier

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7:30 a.m. | Manhattan Beach Pier

Los Angeles Marathon

Up to 400 stationary bikes and several of

6:30 a.m. | Dodger Stadium

the best instructors guide riders of all levels

Runners from all 50 states and more than 55

through one or more 50-minute sessions to

countries will set out from Elysian Park to

raise money for cancer and children’s charities. tourdepier.com

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T H E B AY C L U B

At the Bay Club, we’ve created a premier fitness facility that offers you what truly matters most: sports, fitness, wellness, community, and family.

Visit one of our clubs and experience happiness for the whole family. From our exceptional fitness equipment and classes, to our unmatched amenities—whatever you need to live life to the happiest, it’s all at the Bay Club.

VISIT LP.BAYCLUBS.COM/JOINSOCAL TO SECURE YOUR 5-DAY PASS TODAY.

bayclubs.com | onelombard.com South Bay • Redondo Beach • Rolling Hills