Beach Cities Dermatology
Medical Center
(888) 595-SKIN (7546)
Beach Cities Dermatology offers leaders in our field and are always striving to bring you the latest in safe, ethical and effective dermatology innovations. With well over two decades of comprehensive dermatology experience, William Wickwire, M.D., Neal M. Ammar, M.D., Geover Fernandez, M.D., Steven E. Gammer, M.D., Edward M. Prodanovic, M.D., Fariba Seraj, RN/PA-C, and Medical Aestheticians; Jennifer Hamaguchi, Shelby Reed and Erika La Ponza are committed to the highest quality of medical care and treatment standards. Certified by the American Board of Dermatology, we offer state-of-the-art Surgical Dermatology, Medical Dermatology, and Cosmetic Dermatology.
William James Wickwire, M.D.
Dermatology and Dermatopathology
EDUCATION:
Chadwick School, Diploma; Williams College, B.A. in Chemistry and Art History; University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine, M.D.; Brown University, Internal Medicine; University of Minnesota, Dermatology and Dermatopathology.
MEMBER, FELLOW OR DIPLOMATE:
American Academy of Dermatology, American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery, American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, Pacific Dermatology Association, American Medical Association, California Medical Association, Los Angeles County Medical Association, San Bernardino County Medical Association, American Board of Dermatology.
PERSONAL:
Single; enjoys skiing, waterskiing, windsurfing, snowboarding, in-line skating, weight lifting, hiking, mountain biking, arts, theater, fine dining, volunteer activities including Flying Samaritans and National Ski Patrol; lives in Hermosa Beach and Big Bear Lake, California.
Geover Fernandez, M.D.
Dermatology/Mohs Surgery
EDUCATION:
Graduated from Rutgers Medical School, where he was inducted in the AOA Medical Honor Society and also completed his dermatology residency. Dr. Fernandez is a diplomat of the American Board of Dermatology and a Fellow of both the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery and American Society for Mohs Surgery. Dr. Fernandez served as Chief of Dermatology and Mohs surgery at Kaiser Permamente in Bakersfield, CA and is currently the Associate Director of Cutaneous Oncology and Skin Surgery at the Comprehensive Blood and Cancer Center, a UCLA affiliated cancer center. He performs an average of 20 Mohs operations per week and has completed over 10,000 surgeries to date.
Neal M. Ammar, M.D.
Dermatology/Mohs Surgery
EDUCATION:
Rutgers University and the Rutgers Medical School, inducted in the AOA Medical Honor Society and graduated as valedictorian of his medical school class. He scored in the top 1% of the nation on both of his medical board examinations.
Extensively trained in skin surgery and specializes in Mohs skin cancer surgery. A fellow of the American Society for Mohs Surgery and the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery. He performs an average of 50 mohs surgeries per week and has performed well over 20,000 Mohs skin cancer surgeries to date, many of which require complex facial and cosmetic reconstruction. Dr. Ammar serves as the Director of Cutaneous Oncologic Surgery at CBCC (Comprehensive Blood and Cancer Center), a UCLA affiliated cancer center which is the largest free standing cancer center on the west coast of the United States. There, he heads all aspects of skin cancer treatments and works with a team of surgeons, radiologists, and oncologists to provide patients with the highest possible quality of care utilizing the most advanced and cutting edge techniques.
PERSONAL:
Enjoys soccer, swimming, motorcycle riding
Steven E. Gammer, M.D.
Dermatology
EDUCATION:
Graduated from City College of New York in 1967 receiving his Bachelor of Science Degree, majoring in biology and chemistry.
Graduated from St. Louis University School of Medicine with his Medical Doctor Degree in 1971. Studied for three years at one of the top dermatology residencies in America, the University of Pennsylvania, School of Medicine. He served his country as a dermatologist for the United States Army for two years active duty and achieved rank of Major. Immediately thereafter in 1977, Dr. Gammer started his solo dermatology practice at St. Mary Medical Center, Long Beach, California. In November of 1977, he became certified as a Diplomate of the American Board of Dermatology. In 1992, he relocated his practice to Seal Beach, California.
MEMBER, FELLOW OR DIPLOMATE:
American Board of Dermatology, American Academy of Dermatology
Los Angeles Metropolitan Dermatological Society
PERSONAL:
Dr. Gammer enjoys boating, fishing, photography and woodworking.
Edward Prodanovic, M.D.
Dermatology
Fariba Seraj, P.A./R.N.P.
Registered Nurse Practitioner and Licensed Physican's Assistant
Southern California resident and a graduate of University of California at Los Angeles earning a Bachelor of Science Degree, double majoring in Biology and Biochemistry with a minor in Music. Subsequently received a Masters in Hyperbaric Medicine and completed his Medical Degree (MD) at Saba University School of Medicine, graduating in the top 3% of his class.
After medical school, he completed a residency in Internal Medicine and Pediatrics at Akron General Medical Center and Akron Children’s Hospital in Akron, Ohio and became board certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine and the American Board of Pediatrics. Upon completion of his Internal Medicine/Pediatric training, he completed his Dermatology residency at Saint Louis University in Saint Louis, Missouri. He is board certified by the American Board of Dermatology and a Fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology. He is one of a small group of specialists with board certifications in three specialties.
An author of several publications and book chapters in Dermatology and practices general medical, pediatric, surgical, and cosmetic dermatology. His expertise includes diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the skin, hair and nails, and various surgical and cosmetic procedures, including treatment for varicose veins. He has also spent a significant amount of time abroad volunteering in medical missions in South America, Africa, Asia and Guam.
PERSONAL:
Enjoys medical missions, swimming, surfing, river rafting, SCUBA, and classical piano performance.
EDUCATION:
Cal State Dominguez Hills, B.S. in Health Sciences; UCLA/Drew Post Graduate Medical School Medex Program in Physician Assistant Studies
Received additional training in Dermatology at UCLA Student Health. Additionally she has been trained by Dr. Wickwire and is well-qualified to provide excellent care for various dermatologic problems. She has vast clinical knowledge and experience in treating various common skin conditions including acne, warts, skin cancer and rashes.
In addition to her many years of experience in general dermatology, she also has extensive experience in cosmetic procedures such as Botox and utilizing lasers and light technology such as laser hair removal, Photofacials (IPL), Fraxel procedures and treatment of acne scars. She has expertise with various laser devices, including Vbeam and Smoothbeam, which remain the gold standards for capillary, and acne/scar treatments. She tailors her treatment plans individually for each patient taking into consideration skin type and reactions to the treatments.
The combination of knowledge, experience and skills has made her a great addition to our practice.
MEMBER, FELLOW OR DIPLOMATE:
Certified Nurse Practitioner in the state of California, National Certificate as a Physician Assistant, Society of Dermatology Physician Assistants, Dermatologic Nurses Association, California Association of Nurse Practitioners.
Jennifer Hamaguchi
Shelby Page
Erika La Ponza
Licensed Medical Aestheticians
Jennifer Hamaguchi, Shelby Page and Erika La Ponza are licensed medical aestheticians specializing in microdermabrasion, chemical peels, facials and thorough extractions. They excel in specialized skin care catering to the needs of an individual's skin type. Working in a medical setting, they have experience with all types and degrees of skin problems.