Welcome to North Coast Dermatology
At North Coast Dermatology we are committed to providing quality, state-of-the-art dermatologic care in a warm and compassionate environment. Our board-certified Dermatologists are well-known lecturers and teachers in the community. We treat all common dermatologic problems such as eczema, psoriasis and acne with the most advanced techniques. We also treat both adult and pediatric patients and have a certified Mohs micrographic surgeon for more advanced skin cancer treatment. We also have extensive experience in cosmetic dermatologic procedures.
A simple change can shape your life in extraordinary ways. We would like to help you consider options that may work for you. Setting up a private consultation can be the beginning of a whole new outlook on life. Make the change that will change your life.
About Our Practice
North Coast Dermatology Medical Associates specializes in the treatment of medical and surgical problems of a cosmetic nature, in addition to caring for our patients' routine dermatologic needs. Our doctors have spent most of their professional careers treating and operating on the skin, and have developed expertise in many cosmetic and anti-aging or rejuvenation procedures. Almost all of our procedures and treatments are performed in the office. For certain procedures, or when general anesthesia is desired, the accredited Surgicenter conveniently located on the first floor of our building may be used. We welcome calls... if our nurses are busy helping other patients they will try to return your call as soon as possible. However, the best way to find out if we can help you is to schedule a consultation.
Appointments
Appointments are made by calling the office and scheduling a consultation with the physician of your choice or with our physician assistants, Gary Vanetsky or Berna Moore. Occasionally, in unusual situations, we will make appointments by mail. The receptionists can schedule appointments for tumescent liposculpture, fat transfer, laser resurfacing, Intense Pulsed Light (or Photo Facial) treatments, sclerotherapy (leg vein treatments), Botox, and filler substances (Cosmoderm, Restylane, Radiesse and others). The nurses are responsible for scheduling Mohs micrographic skin cancer surgery. If you would like to be seen as soon as possible, please ask the receptionist. You will be put on a waiting list and called if an earlier appointment becomes available.
Before your first appointment, please download and complete the following forms. Please bring them to your initial appointment
Waiting to See the Doctor
You can often reduce waiting time by calling the office one-half to one hour before your scheduled appointment. Although we make every effort to be prompt, some patients require more time and we may fall behind. We cannot always guarantee that you will be seen at the exact time of your appointment; however, please know that we recognize the value of your time, and that our goal is to see you at your scheduled appointment time.
Canceling and Rescheduling Appointments
If you cannot make your appointment, please call us as soon as possible to cancel. By canceling early, you allow us to serve other patients who may be waiting for an appointment. We deeply appreciate this courtesy. Many of the surgical procedures take many hours or even a half day or more; failing to keep or canceling surgical appointments with short or no notice can seriously disrupt our schedule. Our policy regarding canceling of major surgical procedures will be explained to you at the time of scheduling.
Refilling Prescriptions
We will be happy to refill prescriptions by phone whenever possible. Please call your pharmacist, who will then contact us directly. Many medications cannot be ethically refilled without an examination. In addition we cannot refill any prescription that is over one year old without an examination. The doctors or our nurses will be happy to answer your questions regarding this policy. Please allow 24 hours for prescription refill requests.
Payment Policies
In order to better serve our patient's unique problems, we accept many medical insurance programs, and participate in Medicare. Cosmetic problems can never be billed to any insurance program; thus all consultation and "office visit" fees for aesthetic concerns are due at the time of service. The payment terms and schedules for aesthetic services are explained on the estimate/cost form that you will be given at the time of your consultation. We can not guarantee the quoted fees for procedures scheduled more than three (3) months after the estimate is given. In addition, the fee estimate states the conditions for canceling or rescheduling any surgical procedure.
Please inquire with our receptionists regarding fees for cosmetic consultations.
Privacy Policy
In keeping with medical ethical standards and because cosmetic procedures and operations are often very private, we will do everything in our power to protect your privacy. Your charts and records are kept confidential including written notes, letters, photos and laboratory test results. In addition we request and will honor your instructions regarding which phone numbers we may use to reach you, and whether we may leave voice mail messages. It is important that you provide us with any other information that you feel is necessary to keep your experience with us confidential.
On occasion, we will use patient material such as case records and photos for instruction and/or marketing. You will always be asked for your permission to allow us to use material related to your case, and should feel under no obligation to do so. A photo will not be used unless you have signed a release.
Emergencies
We are available for urgent problems. If you believe that you have a life threatening emergency, call 911, or go to the nearest emergency room. Otherwise, call the office. Even if out of town, our doctors are usually available by cell phone. The message on the answering machine will direct you to the doctor on call.
Our Clinicians
Nancy M. Satur, M.D.
Dr. Satur, a board-certified dermatologist, has practiced medicine in the San Diego area since 1984, maintaining staff privileges at Scripps Memorial Hospital in Encinitas and UCSD Medical Center.
Learn more about Nancy M. Satur, M.D.
Stacy D. Tompkins, M.D.
Dr. Tompkins, a native of San Diego, completed her dermatology training at Cornell-Weill Medical Center in New York. She received instruction at many prestigious hospitals such as the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, the New York Hospital, the Rockefeller Institute, and the Hospital for Special Surgery. She also was elected Chief Resident and assisted in training new students. Dr. Tompkins received her medical degree from the Tulane University School of Medicine in New Orleans, and went on to complete an internship in internal medicine at Charity Hospital. She spent her undergraduate years at Stanford University with a major in Human Biology.
Learn more about Stacy D. Tompkins, M.D.
Ralph Massey, M.D.
Dr Massey graduated from Cambridge University and London University in England prior to completing his dermatology residency in the United States. He went on to complete a fellowship in Cosmetic & Mohs Micrographic Surgery at Columbia University in New York.
Learn more about Ralph Massey, M.D.
Julie Gladsjo, M.D., Ph.D.
A California native, Dr. Gladsjo earned her Bachelor of Science degree at the University of California, Irvine. Initially focused on research, she completed a Ph.D. at Auburn University, before deciding that she was more suited to hands-on patient care.
Learn more about Julie Gladsjo, M.D., Ph.D.
Gary Vanetsky, M.M.S., PA-C
Gary Vanetsky is a board certified Physician Assistant (PA-C), who graduated with honors with a Master of Medical Science (MMS) degree from Midwestern University Osteopathic Medical School, Downers Grove, Illinois.
Gary holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Nutritional Science and Biochemistry from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, where he graduated summa cum laude.
Learn more about Gary Vanetsky, M.M.S., PA-C
Berna Moore, PA-C, M.C.M.S.
Berna Moore is a board certified Physician Assistant who is licensed by the state of California. She earned a Masters degree in Clinical Medical Science and received her Physician Assistant Certification in 1999 from Barry University in Florida. Berna completed her undergraduate studies at California State University Long Beach where she received a Bachelor of Science degree in Microbiology with a minor in Chemistry. Prior to becoming a physician assistant, Berna worked as a Clinical Research Coordinator at the Veterans Hospital in Long Beach. She also worked for Neutrogena Corporation as a microbiologist.
Learn more about Berna Moore, PA-C, M.C.M.S.
Joanne Butler, RN, NP
Mrs. Butler, a native Philadelphian, has been active in the medical field in San Diego since 1966. She has past experience as a neurosurgical and cardiac nursing specialist and served 6 years as the nursing supervisor of Sharp Emergency room. As an occupational nurse at Rohr and NASSCO, she supervised a medical team responsible for thousands of employees.
Learn more about Joanne Butler, RN, NP
Our Support Staff
Anne Marie Al Medical Assistant
Sheila Bertram Medical Assistant
Rosie Mack Licensed Esthetician
Cheryl Plahy Medical Office Manager / Administrator
Barbara Redondo Medical Receptionist
Emily Sonza Medical Receptionist
Susan Trout Certified Medical Assistant/Back Office Supervisor
List of Doctors
photos - short bios
Anne Marie Al
You will meet Anne Marie in our back office, where she has been a full-time Medical Assistant since July, 2004.
After her introduction to Dermatology working for the renowned "Dermatologist to the Stars", Dr. Arnie Klein in Beverly Hills, Anne Marie knew that she had found her area of interest.
Anne Marie moved to San Diego in 1993, and began working at UCSD Thornton Hospital in the Surgery Specialty Clinic, where she was able to assist in Dermatology.
Although born in Honolulu, Hawaii, Anne Marie has lived most of her life in San Diego.
When not at work, Anne Marieís enthusiasm (which is shared by her daughter Ashley) is snowboarding. After riding 13 times her first season, her coworkers at UCSD dubbed her, "The Snowboarding Queen."