MITCHEL P. GOLDMAN, M.D., is an expert in the areas of dermatology, phlebology (the branch of science dealing with veins), laser surgery, and liposuction. He is especially renowned for his pioneering research and development of multiple laser techniques, and for advancing the technique now widely used for getting the best results with liposuction.

Currently a Clinical Professor of Dermatology/Medicine, University of California, San Diego, Dr. Goldman has written eighteen books, several of which are medical texts considered the definitive texts in the fields of laser surgery, cosmetic surgery, vein removal, and dermatology. Most recently, with La Jolla Spa MD CEO, Dianne-York Goldman, he has coauthored the popular You Glow, Girl! series focusing on such topics as teenage skin care, legs, and aging skin.

Dr. Goldman received his Dermatology specialty training at the University of California, Los Angeles after an Internal Medicine internship at the University of California, San Diego. He was Board Certified with the American Board of Dermatology in 1986 and is a Fellow of the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, the American Academy of Dermatology, the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery, the American Society of Anti-Aging Medicine, the American College of Phlebology and the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery.

Dr. Goldman graduated summa cum laude from Boston University in 1977, where he achieved academic honors, winning membership in Phi Beta Kappa Epsilon. He went on to graduate from Stanford University Medical School in 1982.

KIMBERLY J. BUTTERWICK, M.D. completed her Dermatology specialty training at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill in 1989. She is a Board-Certified Dermatologist, having earned this distinction on becoming a Diplomat of the American Board of Dermatology. In addition to membership in the American Academy of Dermatology, Dr. Butterwick is a Fellow of the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, the American Society of Liposuction Surgery, the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery, and the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery.

Dr. Butterwick enjoys the unique distinction of having been selected for the American Medical Women's Association Award for Academic Excellence in 1981, the year of her graduation from the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine in Ohio. Dr. Butterwick completed her undergraduate studies at Stanford University in Palo Alto, California, where she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology with academic distinction.

Dr. Butterwick is on the consulting medical staff at Scripps Mercy Hospital, where she serves on the clinical faculty lecturing and supervising residents and medical students. She has special ties with Scripps Mercy Hospital, having completed her internship there in 1982. She is also on staff at Scripps Memorial Hospital in La Jolla.

Dr. Butterwick's research interests include studies in liposculpture, lasers, fat transfer techniques, and cellulite. She has numerous published studies and book chapters which have also been presented at academic meetings. She is involved in teaching tumescent liposuction and laser techniques to visiting preceptor physicians, at medical meetings and in workshops abroad. Dr. Butterwick directed the first U.S. workshop in the French technique of fat grafting for the aging face in February 2001. She has been appointed to the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery Liposuction Safety Task Force and the Liposuction Council of the American Society of Dermatologic Surgery. She is also an assistant editor for two prestigious medical journals, Dermatologic Surgery and the American Journal of Cosmetic Surgery. She further specializes and lectures on laser skin resurfacing, skin cancer surgery, Botox techniques and laser therapy for birthmarks, sunspots, broken blood vessels and tattoos.

Dr. Butterwick's outside interests include playing with her son, running, reading and gardening. She enjoys traveling and is conversant in Spanish and Italian. She and her husband, Dr. Jonathan Scheff, reside in La Jolla with their son, Jacob.

Paul Elliott Chasan, M.D. graduated Alpha Omega Alpha and Magna Cum Laude from Creighton University School of Medicine in Omaha, Nebraska. He completed his general surgical residency at the University of California, San Diego Medical Center and his plastic surgery residency at the University of Utah Medical Center in Salt Lake City.

Dr. Chasan is on staff at Scripps Memorial Hospital in La Jolla and is an Assistant Clinical Professor, Department of Surgery at UCSD. Dr. Chasan is a board-certified member of the American Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons. He is a diplomate of the American College of Surgeons and serves on the credential committee at Scripps Memorial Hospital in La Jolla.

Dr. Chasan is known nationally for his work on breast surgery and facial rejuvenation, including breast augmentation and rhinoplasty.

DOUGLAS M. KEEL, D.O. is a Board-Certified Dermatologist with vast experience in laser and surgical procedures. He returns to his wonderful hometown of San Diego to join La Jolla Spa MD after serving as the Head of Navy Dermatology in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii for three years. Dr. Keel is a Fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology, American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, and was the recipient of the Resident Research Award in Surgical Applications by the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery. Dr. Keel is exceptional in treating and preventing the damaging effects of the sun, as well as having expertise in many other areas of cosmetic surgery and dermatology.

Dr. Keel completed his Bachelor of Science degree at the University of California, Irvine, and his medical training at The University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth where he graduated with honors, and was elected into the Psi Sigma Alpha national medical honor society. Following a one year internship in San Diego, he was selected and trained as a Flight Surgeon at the Naval Aerospace Medical Institute in Pensacola, Florida. He served as an F/A-18 and CH-53 Flight Surgeon for three years in El Toro, California, before returning to the Naval Medical Center, San Diego for his Dermatology Residency.

Dr. Keel is a Fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology, American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, and was the recipient of the Resident Research Award in Surgical Applications by the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery. Committed to research, he has authored and published numerous manuscripts for prestigious medical journals, and actively contributed to several clinical and cosmetic laser trials.

PAVAN K. NOOTHETI, M.D. is a board-certified dermatologist and a graduate of the George Washington University School of Medicine and the Howard University Hospital Dermatology Residency Program. He joins La Jolla Spa MD having completed extensive training in the field of cosmetic surgery through the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery. Intent on advancing the field of Cosmetic Surgery and Dermatology via cutting-edge scientific research, he completed a research fellowship, sponsored by LOreal, at the Ethnic Skin Research Institute at the Howard University Hospital.

Graduating Cum Laude from George Washington University in three years with a major in Economics and a double minor in Biology and Religion, Dr. Nootheti went on to medical school at the George Washington University School of Medicine. Following graduation, Dr. Nootheti completed a surgical internship with the University of Virginia Health System in the Department of General Surgery. He continued his education in dermatology as a Clinical Research Fellow and as a Dermatology Resident at Howard University Hospital. In order to perfect the art of cosmetic surgery, Dr. Nootheti spent an additional year of fellowship training through American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery.

Dr. Nootheti has distinguished himself among his peers, achieving accolades for Outstanding Resident of the Year by the Howard University Hospital Medical Association. He also received the Walter F. Rosenberg Senior Award in Dermatology for interest, proficiency, and scholastic achievement in dermatology, the Dr. Sadhon Chandra Sau Memorial Award by the Indian American Association, and membership in The William Beaumont Medical Research Honor Society.

Dr. Nootheti is a diplomat of the American Board of Dermatology and holds professional memberships in the American Society of Dermatologic Surgery, Southern Medical Association, National Medical Association, and American Medical Association. He has co-authored numerous scientific research publications and authored numerous chapters in medical textbooks.  He presented his work at such prestigious meetings as the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery, National Medical Association Annual Meeting, and the LOreal International Symposium on Ethnic Hair and Skin.

AMIR M. KARAM, M.D. is a Southern California native, growing up in San Diego. He graduated summa cum laude from the University of California San Diego in 1997, where he achieved academic honors, gaining membership in Phi Beta Kappa. He went on to medical school at the University of California Irvine, where he graduated among the top of his class earning him membership into the Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society. He was also distinguished with the J. Gordon Hatfield, MD Surgical Award for the highest performance in Surgery in his class. Prior to starting his facial plastic surgery training, he completed a five-year surgical residency in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at the University of California Irvine Medical Center.

He has earned numerous awards and honors for his contributions to medical research and patient care. Among these, were the 2005 Resident Award for Outstanding Patient Care, Teaching, and Research, as well as the 2004 Bernstein Resident Research Award, given by the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.

Intent on advancing the field of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery via state-of-the-art research, Dr. Karam has published over 20 research articles and has presented his work at over 40 scientific national and international meetings. Additionally, he is involved in leadership activities by serving on four separate committees of the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.

BRIAN D. LAWENDA, M.D. is a board certified radiation oncologist and currently the Department Head of the Breast Health Center and the Clinical Director of Radiation Oncology at the Naval Medical Center in San Diego. As a graduate of Temple University School of Medicine in Philadelphia, Dr. Lawenda was elected to the membership of the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society. He completed an internship in General Surgery with the Naval Medical Center San Diego and later served his residency in Radiation Oncology at the Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston where he also was appointed Chief Resident in 2003. He has joined La Jolla Spa MD with expertise in Medical Acupuncture, which he studied at UCLA/Stanford Universities Schools of Medicine. He is a member of the American Academy of Medical Acupuncture and will be offering services for a number of health issues.

Recognized by the Naval Medical Center San Diego as the 2005 Academic Research Award Recipient, Dr. Brian Lawenda brings expertise in medical research and leadership to La Jolla Spa MD. He has been featured in many medical journals and publications including the The Cancer Journal, The International Journal of Radiation Oncology Biology Physics, and in a soon to be released textbook on Integrative Oncology by Dr. Andrew Weil. During his residency he was the recipient of the Osher Institute of Complementary and Alternative Medicine- Pilot Study Grant, the Radiological Society of North America Roentgen Resident Research Award from MA General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, and the ASCO Foundation Merit Award.

As a member of the American Academy of Medical Acupuncture, the CA State Oriental Medical Association, the Society of Integrative Oncology, the American Society of Therapeutic Radiation Oncology, the American Society of Clinical Oncology, and the Alpha Omega Alpha Honors Society, Dr. Lawenda is a valuable asset and addition to La Jolla Spa MD and will provide natural healing alternatives for clients.

Dr. Brian Lawenda moved to La Jolla in 1988 to start studying at UCSD. He briefly lived in Hawaii where he was recruited as the sole physician for the cast of Baywatch Hawaii. He relocated to San Diego with his wife, who is also a physician, and enjoys sailing, running, and travel in his free time.

Katrina E. Woodhall, M.D. is a board-certified dermatologist and a graduate of the University of California and Loma Linda University School of Medicine. She joins La Jolla Spa MD as a fellow of the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery. Her areas of interest and expertise include Liposculpture, Fat Harvest/Transfer, Laser Rejuvenation Procedures, Sclerotherapy, Dermal Filling Treatments, BOTOX Therapy, and Skin Cancer Treatment.

Graduating Cum Laude with honors from University of California, Dr. Woodhall continued her education at Loma Linda University Medical Center. Prior to joining La Jolla Spa MD, she completed her dermatology residency at Loma Linda University Medical Center where she served as chief resident. La Jolla Spa MD is equipped with a modern state-of-art AAAHC certified surgicenter where most surgical procedures are performed, ensuring maximum patient comfort, privacy, and safety. Surgical procedures are performed on an outpatient basis and the finest Board Certified physician anesthesiologists available administer anesthesia. Our operating room is equipped with the latest in Plastic Surgery technology, including equipment for endoscopic and laser surgery. Second to none, the staff at La Jolla Spa MD is experienced, knowledgeable, caring, and will help make the cosmetic surgical experience pleasant and comfortable.