Best of Health 2024

Diane Hutchinson, MD 760.634.6922, encinitasphysician.com
Ramin Farsad, MD 760.943.9111

Scripps La Jolla scripps.org
Sharp HealthCare sharp.com

Kirstin A. Lee, MD 858.554.7700, scripps.org
Kathryn Macaulay, MD 760.697.3101

Editors’ Pick, Bespoke Healthcare Innovator: Dr. Kern Brar, A Personal Physician Dr. Kern Brar of A Personal Physician is a board-certified internal medicine physician who offers personalized primary care tailored to each patient’s individual needs. With years of experience working in various healthcare settings, including hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and assisted living facilities, Dr. Brar’s approach to primary care emphasizes preventive health, lifestyle modification, and comprehensive well-being. “Personalized medicine is unique because you figure out for each person what is best for them. Not everything fits in a box,” he says. “Helping people live longer, higher quality lives is my focus, as opposed to seeing 60 patients a day. I am a firm believer that preventative care is in the realm of internal medicine.” Dr. Brar prioritizes each patient’s long-term health outcome, whether that’s weight loss to avoid joint replacement surgery or helping to reduce the number of medicines taken, under close monitoring. With offices in Encinitas and Oceanside, cutting-edge technology enhances patient care and communication. “I realize I only have a certain number of years to make a difference, as do most of us, so this is my way to help people. If you don’t check and look at where you are, and have a plan on where you’re going, you’re not going to get there,” he says. “Remember, it’s not just about the destination — it’s about enjoying the journey to wellness.” apersonalphysician.com

Lisa Weiss, OD, FCOVD, Rancho Santa Fe Optometry 858.201.7241, rsfoptometry.com
Michelle Crosby, MD, PhD, Crosby Vision Center 760.257.5550, crosbyvisioncenter.com

Stengler Center for Integrative Medicine 760.274.2377, markstengler.com
Bloom Natural Health 760.230.4982

David Eshom, DDS 858.455.9151, eshomdds.com
Ron Barry, DMD 858.879.6900, ronbarrydmd.com

Melanie Palm, MD, MBA, Art of Skin MD 858.792.7546, artofskinmd.com
Vishakha Gigler, MD, Comprehensive Dermatology Group 760.634.3376, comprehensivederm.com

Readers’ Choice, Best Dermatologist: Melanie Palm, MD, MBA, Art of Skin MD A longstanding readers’ favorite, Melanie Palm, MD, MBA is a board-certified dermatologist who founded Art of Skin MD with a vision of an environment where patients receive a superior medical and cosmetic experience from a team of caring professionals in a beautiful, state-of-the-art clinic. In addition to Art of Skin MD, Dr. Palm is an assistant clinical professor at UC San Diego and an affiliate staff physician at Scripps Encinitas Memorial Hospital. She is a medical author, clinical investigator, physician trainer, and contributing dermatology expert for various national media outlets. Her vast experience, extensive training, artistic eye, and gentle touch contribute to the exceptional care she provides to her patients. artofskinmd.com

Life Time 855.410.7100, lifetime.life
The BXNG Club thebxngclub.com

Ania London, Pilates of San Diego pilatesofsandiego.com
Scott Baker, Gemini Fit geminifit.com

Pilates of San Diego pilatesofsandiego.com
GFX gfxfit.com

Eric Schulte, PT, DPT 858.324.4257
Gaspar Doctors of Physical Therapy gasparpt.com