OC SkinLab

04/24/2025

Generational trauma…

My entire grandmother’s family was slaughtered in front of her at a young age all because they were “othered”. She was spared because she was seen as an oddity with red hair and blue eyes in a sea of more traditional Armenian traits.

Her harrowing journey to this country and the heartbreak she endured has always been in my heart and soul despite not knowing every single detail.

Her unwavering love and compassion for others despite her brutal treatment was my foundation growing up. It may be one of the reasons why I see it as my duty as a physician to fight for those who need help. My duty to fight for what is right despite the consequences.

Every day I wonder if she would be proud of me…if I live up to her standards of being a good human.

I reread her memoirs, written by my beloved late Aunt, every so often to keep me grounded and appreciative of what I have and who I fight for.
🇦🇲❤️


🇦🇲

12/20/2024

We are now in a state of emergency in California in response to the "Bird Flu" or influenza A H5N1. While there has been no person-to-person transmission (yet), please avoid unpasteurized dairy products or contact with uncooked poultry or beef.

Feel free to drop your questions 👇

11/29/2024

"What are you doing for your birthday?"

I'm spending it by myself. It's also fitting that "Black Friday" falls on my bday🖤 iykyk

With all the demands and stresses put on us in society, work and family, women are usually shamed into believing self-care is selfish. Or that somehow spending time alone means you're lonely.

This thinking keeps us on the treadmill of never-ending movement that never actually moves you forward.

We need to stop, reflect, evaluate, listen to our thoughts and feelings, appreciate what we have achieved and learned, and make conscious decisions to move forward in our lives.

That isn’t possible to do while a thousand different distractions, people, voices, duties, and obligations are buzzing around me.

So today, I will spend time with myself in relaxation and solitude. I will reflect on the path that has led me here, with its highs and lows. I will envision the future and set new goals to propel me forward. I will also try to accept the things and people I can't change, but will alter my life to avoid the abuse they cause.

As always, I'm grateful for each and every one of you. 🙏🖤

Thank you to The Spa at The Resort At Pelican Hill for helping me usher in a new year 🧖🏻‍♀️💆🏻‍♀️🧘🏻‍♀️🥂

07/17/2024

I discussed this topic at great length last year at Dermatology Education Foundation annual conference. At the time, most people had no idea what "Forever Chemicals" were and why we should be aware of them in dermatology. Now we are seeing more media coverage and new science emerge...I couldn't be happier to witness the sea change.

Want to learn more? Listen to a snippet of my talk on the Dermatology Education Foundation podcast https://dermnppa.org/forever-chemicals-in-the-spotlight-new-dermalorian-podcast/

I'm also happy to dm the link to my full recorded talk as well. Just post "PFAS" in the comments and I'll send it to you!

04/22/2024

Another amazing UC Davis Picnic Day in the books! 🚜🐄🚲🧬🦠🔬

This also happened to be my 25-year reunion from undergrad.

My heart has always belonged to UCD and I love supporting my alma mater whether by telling high school students all about it and encouraging them to apply, being interviewed and published in the 2023 Aggie Stories Oral History Project, being a lifetime Cal Aggie Alumni Association member and networking with other grads regularly.

Next year we'll be back for the Chemistry Magic Show, cockroach races, Doxie Derby and so many more activities around campus.

12/25/2023

From my family to you and yours, Merry Christmas! 💚🎄❤️

11/29/2023

Celebrating life and turning 47 by keeping my annual tradition of practicing Memento Mori 💀🖤..."remember you will die".
Morbid and macabre? Maybe, but to pretend otherwise is foolish.

Keeping grounded in this mantra has been a way for me to focus on making the most of my life and the relationships I have. Appreciating the relationships that are healthy and fostering those connections and letting go of those that only serve to hurt once key lessons are learned.

As a physician, I've dealt with all aspects of dying and death and do what I can each day to keep my patients healthy in order for them to experience their best life.
I wouldn't be as good of a doctor if I ignored the inevitability of aging and death. One of the most repulsive things in dermatology is this concept of "anti-aging".

So this year, I attended my first Death Cafe which was a lovely experience where people from all over the country meet online to discuss the psychological aspects of aging, death and dying. To say it was a transformative experience would be an understatement. I highly recommend it. I hope to help facilitate it's return to in person meetings locally.

Yes, those who know me know that I love all things skulls and drive around with a full size skeleton in the passenger seat (he's wearing a santa hat now). But that lighthearted, eccentric behavior is my way of staying grounded and appreciative of my life and my role in the lives of those I touch.

I appreciate each and every one of you 🙏

#47

11/13/2023

Thank you to everyone who already voted for us 🫶🏻
If you haven't voted already, please go to www.thecapistranodispatch.com/vote
Or The Capistrano Dispatch
and vote for us by midnight tonight!
We're up for #52, 53 and 68!
Anyone, anywhere can vote for us!

Click here to vote.

09/11/2023

These scars will never fade...nor do I want them to.

#911

07/24/2023

LOVED being a part of Career Day for Breakthrough San Juan Capistrano 🫶🏻
Thank you for inviting me to speak about my career path and (🤞🏻hopefully) make an impression on kids who are first generation college bound scholars from Marco Forster middle school

It was so much fun to interact with these kids! Looking forward to the next time!❤️

Capistrano Unified School District St. Margaret's Episcopal School

05/26/2023

Closing out Skin Cancer Awareness Month with an article about common sunscreen myths!

Head over to The Capistrano Dispatch or read it here:
https://www.thecapistranodispatch.com/dont-get-burned-by-sunscreen-myths-shedding-light-on-the-truth/

Not a day goes by when I don't hear at least one of these common myths or countless others.

What are some questions you have about sunscreen?

Happy Friday!🦩🌞👒

05/14/2023

Motherhood comes in all different shapes and sizes 🧩

My journey led me to two amazing kiddos from a place where I vowed never to marry or have kids and, instead, devote my life to being a trauma surgeon.

So much happened between that young premed and the fellow at UMass seeing her last patient in derm clinic before immediately walking upstairs to deliver her first child in the same hospital.

Since then, I've managed to be a full-time physician, medical director, entrepreneur, mentor, and community leader all while being there for school field trips, science fairs, and all the ups and downs of motherhood.

That has been my path. But there are so many other mother figures who have entirely different paths, whether they are foster, adoptive, step, or friends whose motherly influence is equally as significant. It's all based on their intent of sharing their love, wisdom, and protection.

Happy Mother's Day 🫶