UCLA Dermatology

Made an appointment to see Dr. Levins for dermatology consultation and I gave the appointment scheduler my updated contact number and email. I came to my appointment today early to register to find out the doctor has canceled his clinic. Unfortunately, the morons at UCLA failed to let me know this ahead of time. The receptionist in the front states they tried to contact me but that’s obviously a lie. She did not even seem apologetic and I had to get angry before she realized she should offer me another appointment today. She lacked any professionalism and she said someone could see me in 5 hours. Are you kidding me??? I asked the front office staff to at least ask one of the partners to squeeze a patient into their morning schedule so that I would not have completely wasted my time going to UCLA. However, this staff member did not even bother making a phone call or getting off her seat. Either she is this lazy or she knows the dermatologists are and they will say no. I should have known to just stay away as they really offer no benefit above private practices who actually care about their patients. I will never be coming back and there is no point in making another appointment.

Dr. Kozma is amazing! She is the best Dermatologist! My daughter has had issues with eczema and folliculitis for a while. Dr. Kozma prescribed the correct medication and gave us amazing advise that helped so much with my daughter’s skin issues.

This department and its physicians have deteriorated over the past 25 years. It is such an chore and difficult to get an appointment. The primary focus is on money and cosmetic treatments. The physicians such as Soriano, Goh and Worswick do not call you back or respond to messages. The appointment times are rushed in Westwood and Santa Monica and leaves you with more questions than answers.

She was very thoughtful and careful ! She discussed options with me, and went above and beyond to take care of our worries and to do extra treatments to save us time in the future. I was so impressed with her knowledge and caring, in this day of cook book rushed medicine, she was a delight!

Yep, worst experience, she is a waste of time and money

I saw Dr. Holland today, as well as with a UCLA resident. I get that she’s no-​nonsense, maybe a bit abrupt for some people’s liking, but I thought she was VERY thorough. She biopsied two of my moles that I couldn’t have cared less about, and she correctly diagnosed my melasma. I don’t need my doctor to be my best buddy (to be fair to her, her bedside manner was just fine, I get that she’s a busy doctor), I just need him/​her to be *good* and knowledgeable, and she was both — I’ve already referred her to a friend. I think the poor reviews of her on here aren’t warranted. Just my two cents.
p. s.: If you go up to 21^st (?) it is a whole one-​way street of 2-​hour parking meters. Save $$ on the garage!

This review is long overdue since I’ve been under the care of my dermatologist here and is one only three doctors in So Cal who specialize in my recently diagnosed auto immune illness.
Expect to pay $ 12.00 for self parking unless you can find street parking which is difficult if not impossible to locate.
I was diagnosed by the doctors at UCLA in Santa Monica and I can’t be happier with the quality and professionalism throughout the entire staff & network. Appointments for my illness are only Tuesday and UCLA is quite the drive from my residence. The cost is pricey but I couldn’t be happier with the healthcare here. The previous hospital charged just as much and didn’t diagnose my illness specifically and I ended up back in emergency and hospitalized at UCLA for a week.
The UCLA Santa Monica location was rated number one on the west coast which comes to me as no surprise. UCLA also offers internet access called UCLA Health which allows me to view my exams, compare vitals and even re order prescriptions online — which is handy. I’ve contacted the doctors on weekends and they have called or faxed in prescript ions to my pharmacy for immediate filling — great service!
Thank you to the entire staff at UCLA!

Was on hold for over an hour waiting to get to talk to someon about an appointment. There are about ten doctors listed. You’d think they would have someone answering the phone. I finally hung up and went to a small office nearby where the person answered the phone on the second ring.

Dr. Vanessa Holland was the MOST INSENSITIVE DOCTOR EVER! She did not do Sh#$@ but her office sent me to Collections ACCIDENTALLY (though my insurance had paid my bills).
1) I told her due to personal circumstances I did not see a dermatologist for 4yrs; I told her I was worried about the increase of freckles and hyperpigmentation problems that have been continuously progressing on my body since I moved from a cold climate to hot & sunny LA. I finally wanted to have a check to make sure nothing was cancerous!
She just LOOKED at my skin and said it’s normal! She said the changes were caused by aging and were GENETIC !
2) I developed a rash/​acne (slight) and wanted to approach that too; she offered to put me on freakin’ Antibiotics. I said I don’t see a need for such severe action so she told me to use any over the counter benzoyl peroxide product. I told her I recently had an IPL facial… she said it wouldn’t have any affect on the products I chose… well I bought a 10% benzoyl peroxide later and HAD A HORRIFIC ALLERGIC REACTION/​SUNBURN which made look 20yrs older for 2 weeks & my skin was peeling. I called her she just said «I guess your skin is super sensitive». I wished she had warned me about the percentage difference and its power (esp. after a laser facial).
3) I showed her painful warts on my feet that would not go away for yrs… she said to buy over the counter stuff or she’d freeze it but she claimed the insurance would not cover the high-​end procedure! Well, my NEXT dermatologist immediately offered me a professional freeze a way by contrast and the insurance DID cover it.
4) I showed her another strange looking skin problem. Looks like a bruise but I had it for yrs now, AGAIN… she said not to bother!!! WTF!!!
5) I wanted an allergy test, she refused to help AGAIN! She said I’d have to reschedule. Also, I was told an allergy test required 3 – 4 visits and each of them would cost $$$.
6)Last but not least, I was mistakenly sent to COLLECTIONS …2 yrs! (Yes, my visit was 2 yrs ago… but I’m still dealing with some issues. I believe she could have prevented!)
However, I had paid my co-​fee instantly and got the confirmation that my insurance covered the BIG BILL (for THE LACK OF SERVICE)…well, since I moved I did not see any mail from them. Just now I found out they have sent me to collections and I was getting CMRE Financial Services letters to my old address. It took my insurance a month to clear that MISTAKE up!
BEYONG FRUSTRATING & DISAPPOINTING!

Dr Holland: Worst exp ever! Not only did I have to wait 3 months for an appointment but they cancelled my appointment and the soonest opening they had was the next day. I was 2 minutes past my grace period and they told me because I was late I had to reschedule. I was furious, especially because they were the ones that cancelled my original appointment that I had waited 3 months for. The front office workers are half retarded and very cold and rude. Ended up seeing a different dr that day after throwing a fit and wasn’t impressed. Will not be going back, ever!

«I GAVE HER TWO OPPORTUNITIES TO CALL ME BACK AND I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO MENTION WHO I AM»
I am not sure it’s worth going here. I am glad some of the other physicians received better reviews, but as a UCLA physician’s wife with my own premed background, I was completely dissappointed with with Dr. Kim’s care. One thing I don’t mention to other physicians is that my husband is a physician or works there which allows me to obtain a real sense of how they treat patients as individuals. Admittedly, at times it helps for other physicians to know this – honestly making the care more attentive over time, but I only offer if we’re genuinely connecting on a personal level. I’ve had to mention my connection to the profession one other time to halt the lack of respect I was receiving from a physician and it changed their attitude immediately. Needless to say, I never came back despite the suck-​up because it’s sickening to know that they regard others in manner based on a presumed status.
I provided the background to say, I never told Dr. Kim about my connection to UCLA. While her patient care was okay at best, my initial appt was barely 5 mins with Dr. Kim, making me feel as if I didn’t fully get the opportunity to have my condition discussed or fully evaluated. She suggested two treatment options but opted for one before we could thoroughly talk about its side affects or benefits yet offering that it takes two months to show any results. The other was oral medication thus more effective, but she wanted to hold off before taking that route because of the systemic implications.
Well… the prescribed medication exacerbated my condition, causing embarrassing large pimples on either side of my cheek in less than a week. When I called to discuss with Dr. Kim, I was only able to leave a message with a receptionist. Clearly not wanting to go into detail with a random person (somethings doctors should be keen to, I offered her a brief description of my issues and asked to speak with Dr. Kim directly to discuss alternatives to the medication or if my regimen was influencing the outcome. I received a callback message, NOT a call from the Dr saying she was trying to reach me, but an unpersonalized message saying «I mentioned the medication takes two months to respond. Patient needs to make an appointment to see me or wait for follow up appointment in two months.» [sic]. What??? (Translation – WTF). I can’t talk to my DR over the phone? I was appalled because was not my personal experience, ever, and my spouse ALWAYS calls ALL of his patients back when they call about their responses to the medication or the regimen he prescribed, (whether good or bad). When I called back the second time I was given this message by her in the «system notes» and I actually complained to the receptionist about being annoyed with not being worthy of a physician call back, and asked her to relay this to the physician so she could call me.
I was also left to research the medication on the internet on my own and learned that the cream version (Tazorac) she prescribed had caused similar outcomes in other patients and a gel version was available that yielded successful results. Why couldn’t I have this conversation with the physician without making an appointment or watching my skin (face no less) scar up for 2 months? Does a real specialist do this? It made me think that she is either getting some kickback for prescribing medication knowing at the end the treatment plan that she was going to have to prescribe an alternative (either something more/​less effective) at my expense (physical/​emotional/​financial) plus generate more money for the practice for the office visit. Physician/​insurance reimbursement is typically lower for phone consults. At this point I didn’t trust her judgement if she refused to acknowledge me or discuss the impact of my medication. At a minimum, I just wanted her to prescribe the gel, but I couldn’t even get that from her… and never got a followup callback. I noticed in the UCLA care system that they made an entry for «phone advice» and will definitely challenge the charge from the carrier if there is even a 1 cent reimbursement for this.
In short, I would not give Dr. Kim or this practice (if this is a shared office protocol on patient values or care) the opportunity to charge my insurance nor pay the $ 20 co-​pay again. Not if they are incapable of talking to their patients especially when, based on the initial 5 min appointment, there was no guarantee scheduling a second appointment would yield improved care – in more time, a better understanding of my conditions or alternatives offered by the doctor.
Her bedside manner at best gets this practice an F, especially if they condone this way of business. I gave her two opportunities to call me back and I should not have to mention who I am.

I wish there were a Zero star rating. I refuse to ever go back to this office. I was to see Dr. Holland at her Santa Monica office for an appointment. After winding my way up the parking structure, only to have to turn around and leave the garage (not a single space was available and there were at least a dozen cars looking for a space, too). I called the office to let them know the situation and they told me to look on Santa Monica Blvd for parking. I was 18 minutes late walking in to the appointment. I was made aware of their strictly enforced 15 minute grace period, and the gentleman at the desk said the doctor would be unable to see me. I told them to look outside their window at the massive line-​up of cars looking for parking in their obviously inadequate garage. Clearly there are 2 main issues here. If parking is that atrocious, they need to convert the parking to a Valet only system. Secondly, the mere fact that I had made them aware of the parking situation and they told me to come in anyways and then she refused to see me when I got there is inexcusable. They said I could reschedule, of which I most certainly will… with a different office.

I’m giving 1 star to the terrible Dr. Vanessa Holland. She is by far the worst MD I’ve ever seen and I hope this review saves you time and money. Do not go to her. She is rude and tried to rush me through the appointment. She never even examined my skin and completely brushed me off and dismissed my concerns. She should not be a doctor, she has no compassion and from what I observed very little knowledge. YUCK.

UPDATE ADD-​IN: Some staff here are also very unclear about things. I had wanted a copy of my lab test results for a month now — one girl I called said I needed to sign a consent form to verify my ID before I could be given my results, another girl said I needed to pay, and a third girl who answered my call (thank you, Adrianna) immediately said they’d mail me a copy, free of charge. Clearly, some people aren’t doing their job correctly!
I recently came in to see Dr. Holland in regards to a very troubling skin issue I’ve been experiencing for 5 months already. I had high hopes since this is UCLA after all, and apparently one of the top 5 hospitals in the nation. I was hoping that after 3 different dermatologist visits in the past, UCLA would be able to help.
Unfortunately, my visit was disappointing none the least. I addressed the issue I was having and I feel Dr. Holland immediately just brushed my skin problem off as acne scarring. I’ve had little thin lines that look like pores connecting appearing on my face for months (in addition to random dented scars), and she just told me I had WRINKLES. I’m 23 and have used sunscreen religiously since I was 14 or so. I do not ever purposely tan and I do not smoke nor do I do any drugs and I eat healthy for the most part. Of course, these good habits don’t make me immune to the effects of aging, but I just feel she didn’t look too deeply into my concerns. I even noted how these lines and dents form on their own without the presence of acne or trauma, yet she still insisted otherwise. She was very carefree and I honestly felt she wasn’t interested in what I had come in to ask her about. She even on her way out told me to not be looking under any magnifying mirrors or anything and freaking out — that comment pissed me off since 1) I obviously was not doing that and 2) I had told her the things I was seeing on my face were visible up close in a mirror (no need for 10x magnification) AND from a distance. She also insisted that I had been squeezing and picking at my acne when I clearly explained to her that I never mess with any pimples.
I’m not giving a 1 star rating because she wasn’t able to find out what my problem was — I respect her professional opinion and appreciate her time in seeing me, but I just didn’t feel like I received the level of care that I’ve been given from other dermatologists. I’m thankful that she brought in Dr. Goh to take a look at my face as a quick second opinion, but Dr. Goh didn’t have a diagnosis either. At one point when I was describing to Dr. Goh my concerns, I feel Dr. Holland even had this smug look on her face — again, just that feeling of not caring about my concerns. I feel the nurse who assisted me, Rose Marie, was probably the most caring (she noticed errors that I previously had also noticed on my previous blood test report, and seemed very concerned that LabCorp would make vital patient info errors. Refer to my LabCorp review). In the end, it was decided by Dr. Holland and Dr. Goh to re-​do a blood test for me with a little more things to check for, so I guess this is a first step. I wish there was more physical testing they would’ve done, but I guess perhaps that’s for step two (although I’ve had skin tests done already).
Not sure if I’d come back though, granted it is far (I spent 1.5hrs in traffic) and UCLA bills a hospital fee (not covered by PPO plans, mind you readers)…and I don’t even know what that fee will be (I’m praying it’s not something outrageous). If I ever do come back, I’ll try for another dermatologist who I hope will take my concerns more seriously. But I’d advise against seeing Dr. Holland.

I am no longer in search of the Fountain of Youth since I discovered UCLA Dermatology — Dr. Diehl.
I have only positives things to say about my experience:
— Dr. Diehl was attentive and knowledgeable (not to mention handsome to look at).
— my procedure was comfortable and painless.
— my appt. was on time
— easy, inexpensive parking
— just seeing how professional the staff was, I knew I was in good hands.
I’ve already recommended 3 of my girl friends to pay my new doc a visit. =)

I took my 11 month old daughter to see Dr. Ki-​Young Suh after searching for a reputable pediatric dermatologist and I was happy that I found her. She was a great listener, intelligent, and informative. And there was no wait, so that’s a huge plus. I’m glad I found her!

Love, love, love the helpful staff at UCLA Dermatology. They are very knowledgeable and always willing to help answer a question.
Though I have not any bumps on my penis, maybe because I don’t have one, or any major concerns of that nature, my experience at this office has been great.

It’s interesting that the previous reviewer mentioned Dr. Ki-​Young Suh. This is the doctor that told me (after meeting me for like 2 mins. and me telling her that I had OCD) that I needed a shrink. I actually tried to report her to UCLA for inappropriate behaviour, but alas, she had already quit.
I did get hooked up a second time with a much better doctor. Dr. Jonathan Cotliar. He was a good listener, friendly and didn’t make me feel like crap like Dr. Suh had.
They take my insurance (Anthem) and the appointment desk is courteous and helpful.
If it weren’t for my horrible experience with Dr. Suh, i would have given it 3 stars.

Funny how there is a review for this place, but here’s a second.
called, scheduled an appointment for 4 days in advance, confirmation call 2 days before, then came in to see the doc. appointment was easy and over with, staff was great.
and i can’t not mention that my dermatologist (dr ki-​young suh) is damn cute. 5 stars!

After dealing with what could have been anything from an allergic reaction to a rare form of cancer (seriously) for over four months, I was finally treated like a real person at the UCLA Dermatology Center.
I want to give a shout out to Liliana Rubalcava, the front office scheduler and all-​around awesome woman, who got me an appointment quickly, and when I somehow screwed up and came in on the wrong day, made sure I saw a doctor anyhow.
Thanks also to Drs. Yashar and Kim, who examined me thoroughly, gave me a realistic and well-​explained diagnosis, and made me feel a lot better.