Find a Top Dermatologist Near Me in Escondido, CA – Book an Appointment Instantly

Timothy W. Chang, MD, is a double board-certified dermatologist and fellowship-trained Mohs surgeon practicing at Coastal Medical & Cosmetic Dermatology in San Diego and La Jolla, California.

Dr. Chang is an expert in skin cancer treatment, reconstructive surgery, and medical and cosmetic dermatology. Dr. Chang began his education as an undergraduate at Brigham Young University in Utah, pursuing his medical degree from the Medical College of Wisconsin, a dermatology residency training at the distinguished Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, and a medical internship from Harvard Medical School’s Massachusetts General Hospital.

In addition, Dr. Chang has completed a specialized fellowship at the prestigious Mohs Micrographic Surgery & Dermatologic Oncology program at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). In addition to surgical training in basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma, he is one of only a select few in the country who specializes in treating melanoma with Mohs Micrographic surgery.

During his training at UCSF and practice in La Jolla, he has also gathered extensive training and experience in laser and cosmetic dermatology.

Dr. Chang is a Southern California native and enjoys volunteering. He is passionate about skin cancer prevention and has provided free lectures and skin cancer screenings throughout San Diego. He has performed humanitarian medical work treating rare and tropical dermatologic diseases in Tanzania, Africa. Dr. Chang is also a volunteer dermatology faculty at UCSD and VA hospitals, treating skin cancer and educating residents.

Dr. Chang’s interests include mountain climbing with notable summit climbs at Denali (Mt. Mckinley), Mt. Kilimanjaro, Mt. Rainier, and Mt. Whitney. He is an Eagle Scout as well as a Black Belt in TaeKwonDo. Dr. Chang and his wife love spending time outdoors with their three children.

Dr. Chang maintains active staff privileges at Scripps Memorial Hospital in La Jolla, is a Fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology, and a Fellow of the American College of Mohs Surgery, and a member of the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery.

Joyce Cheng, MD is a board-certified dermatologist committed to providing comprehensive and compassionate care to patients of all ages in the San Diego area.    Dr. Cheng has extensive knowledge in the most up to date dermatologic science to help treat and optimize the health of her patients’ skin.

Dr. Cheng offers a complete menu of dermatologic services at Coastal Medical and Cosmetic Dermatology, a leading medical and cosmetic dermatology practice with a convenient location in San Diego, La Jolla, California.   

A native of San Diego, Dr. Joyce Cheng received her bachelor’s degree in Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry at Yale University where she graduated magna cum laude. She subsequently stayed on at the Yale School of Medicine to earn her medical degree and master’s degree in clinical research.   After completing her medical school training at Yale, Dr. Cheng went on to complete her medical internship, clinical research fellowship, and dermatology residency at the University of California, San Diego.

Dr. Joyce Cheng has had an impressive academic record serving as an investigator on numerous clinical and translational trials of novel therapeutics for cutaneous conditions. She has also presented at numerous national research conferences and has published research in Journal of Investigative Dermatology, Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology,  JAMA Dermatology, JID, JAAD, Science Translational Medicine, and Nature Medicine. Dr. Cheng also serves as a volunteer dermatology faculty at the VA hospital in San Diego treating patients with skin cancer and educating UCSD residents.

Dr. Cheng enjoys working with her patients in a comprehensive manner to achieve their skin health goals. She is known by her patients to have a warm bedside manner.  In her free time, Dr. Cheng enjoys the outdoors and exploring all that San Diego has to offer. 

Darrell Gonzales, MD is a board-certified dermatologist who provides the highest quality medical and aesthetic skin care to patients of all ages in the San Diego area. He offers a complete menu of dermatological services at Coastal Medical & Cosmetic Dermatology, a leading medical and cosmetic dermatology practice with a convenient location in San Diego, La Jolla, California.

As an expert in all medical matters involving the skin, Dr. Gonzales is dedicated to providing comprehensive care and world-class treatments to help patients achieve their skin health and rejuvenation goals.  

A native of California, Dr. Gonzales received his undergraduate degree from the University of California, Los Angeles, where he graduated Magna Cum Laude and was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa. He obtained his medical degree from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, one of the top medical schools in the country.

After completing a medical internship at Pennsylvania Hospital, Dr. Gonzales went on to receive his dermatology specialty training at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago. In addition to his clinical training, he has been involved in a wide range of medical research, from basic science to health policy issues.

Dr. Gonzales is a sought-after speaker and practitioner for his knowledge of acne, psoriasis, skin cancer and advanced laser therapies, including photorejuvenation, or IPL. Dr. Gonzales is also a Fellow of both the American Academy of Dermatology and the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery.

Dr. Gonzales is known for his warm bedside manner, meticulous attention to detail, and high integrity. Patients refer their own family, friends, and colleagues to his practice knowing that he provides the highest standard of care in a warm and comfortable environment.

In his spare time, Dr. Gonzales loves spending time with his wife and twin girls. You can find them taking full advantage of everything San Diego has to offer including the beaches, boating and bicycling.  Dr. Gonzales encourages all his patients to have fun in the sun while practicing smart skin protection.

Alyssa Nash-Goelitz, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist specializing in medical and cosmetic dermatology. At Coastal Medical & Cosmetic Dermatology, she provides high-quality skin care services to patients in La Jolla, California, and the greater San Diego area. Dr. Nash is known for her attention to patient education and comprehensive care.

A native of Southern California, Dr. Nash received her undergraduate degree from the University of California San Diego with a Bachelor of Science in Cell and Molecular Biology. After college, she worked at the Salk Institute for two years before moving to Chicago to attend Loyola University of Chicago Stritch School of Medicine. Dr. Nash graduated magna cum laude and was a member of the AOA Honor Medical Society. After receiving her medical doctorate, she completed her residency in dermatology at Cook County Hospital in Chicago. 

Following residency, Dr. Nash served as Associate Professor of Dermatology at St. Louis University School of Medicine before relocating to San Diego with her family. Since then, she has been in private practice in La Jolla, where she enjoys working with her patients to find the best solutions to address their skin care needs.

Daniel Di Cesare, MD, is a skilled and compassionate physician at Orange Coast Dermatology, a medical, surgical, and cosmetic dermatology practice with locations in Rancho Santa Margarita, Orange, and Mission Viejo, California. As the son of missionary parents, Dr. Di Cesare grew up helping people. “Caring for people is second nature.” So it was only natural he became a doctor.

After completing his undergraduate studies at Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois, he initially focused on internal medicine and pediatrics during his residency at the University of Texas, Houston Medical School | MD Anderson Cancer Center. But after a clinical research fellowship in dermatology, followed by a residency in dermatology, he knew he found the specialty for him. Research in dermatology fueled his interest in the field.

Today Dr. Di Cesare maintains memberships and certifications with several professional organizations, including the American Board of Dermatology, the American Academy of Dermatology, the American Medical Association, the American Society of Mohs Surgery, and the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery.

Dr. Di Cesare has assisted in more than a dozen studies and clinical trials for topical medications for eczema and psoriasis. These medications later received FDA approval. “Now, doctors are prescribing these medications, and they’re making a significant difference in people’s lives. It’s very gratifying to see the results of your work in research with patients.”

Helping other people isn’t limited to the office for Dr. Di Cesare, who speaks fluent Spanish. He has coordinated and participated in minority health fares, volunteered at a community clinic in Jamaica, and served a medical mission in Piedras Negras, Mexico.

Dr. Di Cesare is a team player, whether it’s as part of a team of doctors or a patient-doctor team. “Being able to diagnose a skin disorder, and successfully treat it takes teamwork.

Daryl grew up in South Orange County and has been a Certified Physician Associate since 2005. He takes pride in meeting his patients’ skin care needs and concerns. Striving for optimal skin health, he will address your concerns with compassion and attentiveness. He received two Bachelor of Science degrees, one at CSU Chico and then another at UNC Greensboro.  Then later attained his master’s degree in physician assistant studies at Eastern Virginia Medical School. Having always had a passion for skin care, he was instantly drawn to the field of dermatology. He has practiced dermatology for over 15 years, treating an array of skin conditions including acne, skin cancers, irregular moles, eczema, psoriasis, rashes, and hair loss, among others. He also performs many procedures such as total body exams, biopsies, excisions of skin cancers/pre-cancerous skin lesions, and cryotherapy of various lesions/pre-cancerous lesions.  Daryl is a member of Beta Beta Beat, The National Biology Honor Society, and has affiliations with AAPA (American Academy of Physician Assistants) CAPA (California Academy of Physician Assistants), and SDPA (Society of Dermatology Physician Assistants).  In his downtime, Daryl loves spending time with his 6-year-old daughter, are an avid golfer, alpine snow skier, and anything else his daughter might currently be interested in.

Leela Athalye, DO, is one of the expert dermatologists treating patients at Orange Coast Dermatology, which has two locations in Rancho Santa Margarita and Mission Viejo, California. 

Dr. Athalye was raised in Mission Viejo, California, and went to high school locally at Capistrano Valley High School, where she was valedictorian. She went to the University of California - Los Angeles and graduated with honors with a Bachelor of Science in psychobiology. Dr. Athalye then received her medical degree from Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine and graduated among the top of her class. Dr. Athalye completed her residency at the top of her class and served as chief resident at Western University Dermatology program at College Medical Hospital in Long Beach, California.  

Dr. Athalye has a true passion for dermatology and even had her own dermatology website as she was graduated from medical school. She loves volunteering with schools locally to teach them about basic skin care. Dr. Athalye traveled to Costa Rica and India during medical school to both learn about the healthcare systems and study tropical diseases, especially leprosy. Later, she participated in medical missions in Ethiopia, Dominican Republic, and Guatemala. ​

Currently, Dr. Athalye serves as an assistant clinical professor at the Western University Dermatology program. She has a calling for teaching and mentoring students and residents. In her spare time, she loves all forms of dance and travel. Dr. Athalye cannot wait to meet you and address all of your skin needs with the most care and enthusiasm.

Daryl grew up in South Orange County and has been a Certified Physician Associate since 2005. He takes pride in meeting his patients’ skin care needs and concerns. Striving for optimal skin health, he will address your concerns with compassion and attentiveness. He received two Bachelor of Science degrees, one at CSU Chico and then another at UNC Greensboro.  Then later attained his master’s degree in physician assistant studies at Eastern Virginia Medical School. Having always had a passion for skin care, he was instantly drawn to the field of dermatology. He has practiced dermatology for over 15 years, treating an array of skin conditions including acne, skin cancers, irregular moles, eczema, psoriasis, rashes, and hair loss, among others. He also performs many procedures such as total body exams, biopsies, excisions of skin cancers/pre-cancerous skin lesions, and cryotherapy of various lesions/pre-cancerous lesions.  Daryl is a member of Beta Beta Beat, The National Biology Honor Society, and has affiliations with AAPA (American Academy of Physician Assistants) CAPA (California Academy of Physician Assistants), and SDPA (Society of Dermatology Physician Assistants).  In his downtime, Daryl loves spending time with his 6-year-old daughter, are an avid golfer, alpine snow skier, and anything else his daughter might currently be interested in.

Daniel Di Cesare, MD, is a skilled and compassionate physician at Orange Coast Dermatology, a medical, surgical, and cosmetic dermatology practice with locations in Rancho Santa Margarita, Orange, and Mission Viejo, California. As the son of missionary parents, Dr. Di Cesare grew up helping people. “Caring for people is second nature.” So it was only natural he became a doctor.

After completing his undergraduate studies at Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois, he initially focused on internal medicine and pediatrics during his residency at the University of Texas, Houston Medical School | MD Anderson Cancer Center. But after a clinical research fellowship in dermatology, followed by a residency in dermatology, he knew he found the specialty for him. Research in dermatology fueled his interest in the field.

Today Dr. Di Cesare maintains memberships and certifications with several professional organizations, including the American Board of Dermatology, the American Academy of Dermatology, the American Medical Association, the American Society of Mohs Surgery, and the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery.

Dr. Di Cesare has assisted in more than a dozen studies and clinical trials for topical medications for eczema and psoriasis. These medications later received FDA approval. “Now, doctors are prescribing these medications, and they’re making a significant difference in people’s lives. It’s very gratifying to see the results of your work in research with patients.”

Helping other people isn’t limited to the office for Dr. Di Cesare, who speaks fluent Spanish. He has coordinated and participated in minority health fares, volunteered at a community clinic in Jamaica, and served a medical mission in Piedras Negras, Mexico.

Dr. Di Cesare is a team player, whether it’s as part of a team of doctors or a patient-doctor team. “Being able to diagnose a skin disorder, and successfully treat it takes teamwork.