About Richard Essner, MD, FACS
Certified by the American Board of Surgery, Richard Essner, MD is a Surgical Oncologist, Professor of Surgery, Director of Surgical Oncology, and the Co-Director of the Melanoma and Cutaneous Oncology Research Program at the Saint John’s Cancer Institute. His primary focus is on complex surgical oncology, particularly in patients with melanoma and other cutaneous (skin) cancers, head and neck tumors, and reconstructive surgeries.
Dr. Essner earned his medical degree from the Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta, Georgia, then moved to Florida to complete his internship at the University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine. He has completed two residencies; one at the Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami and the other at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine in Chapel Hill. He has also completed two surgical oncology fellowships, one at the UCLA Geffen School of Medicine in Los Angeles and the other at the Saint John’s Cancer Institute.
Dr. Essner has published extensively in the National Library of Medicine, and his translational research focuses on mechanisms of metastases in melanoma and other skin malignancies.
He is associated with Cedars-Sinai, and his affiliations include the Cancer Institute (Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute), the Sarcoma Program, and the Department of Surgery.
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Richard Essner, MD, FACS
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Hematology/OncologyMedical Service
Surgical SpecialtiesLocations
2121 Santa Monica Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90404
Education
Medical School
Emory University School of Medicine – Atlanta, GA
Internship
University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine – Miami, FL
Residency
University of North Carolina School of Medicine – Chapel Hill, NC
Fellowship
UCLA Geffen School of Medicine – Los Angeles, CA
- Aetna – HMO
- Aetna Medicare Advantage PPO
- Aetna PPO
- Anthem Blue Cross HMO
- Anthem Blue Cross PPO
- Blue Shield of CA HMO
- Blue Shield of CA HMO – Trio
- Blue Shield of CA Medicare Advantage
- Cigna HMO
- Cigna PPO
- First Health/Coventry PPO
- Health Net – TriCare
- Health Net PPO
- Health Smart PPO
- Multiplan PPO
- Oscar EPO
- SCAN Medicare Advantage
- United Healthcare Medicare Advantage
- Vivity by Anthem Blue Cross
- Saint John’s Cancer Center
- Providence Saint John’s Health Center
Hospital Affiliation
- Saint John’s Physician Partners
Board Certifications
- American Board of Surgery, Surgery
Reviews
At Providence, we’re dedicated to providing you quality, personalized health care. We are constantly striving to optimize your experience.
As part of ensuring you have a positive experience with Providence, our online provider directory includes ratings and patient comments for select providers. More about our survey.
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4.9
- 202 Reviews
- 114 Comments
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5
I feel I get the best care possible, and I like the staff and their consideration for my condition. Great service one wonderful people.
Providence Patient-
5
Great job by all .
Providence Patient-
5
Dr. Essner is superb !!!He is so knowledgeable , kind, good listener and understands my concerns. He is easy to speak with and always reassuring. I always leave feeling I am being well taken care of.Thank you for letting me have such a wonderful physician
Providence Patient-
5
I have had nothing but very good experiences with all the doctors at St. John's. I am grateful.
Providence Patient-
5
They were great better than I expected. Worked with me
Providence Patient-
5
Always on time for my appointment, we actually were 30 minutes early and still saw the physician within a 15 minute window, very efficient
Providence Patient-
5
Dr Esner and staff are always helpful. They listen and have my x-rays and any other tests orders ready.
Providence Patient-
5
All good.
Providence Patient-
5
DR. Essner and his staff are the very best. They are right on top of things and always know what we have spoken about in past visits.
Providence Patient-
5
Never have had a bad experience..Dr. Essner and his staff are very helpful and knowledgeable
Providence Patient-
5
Excellent care
Providence Patient-
5
It's always a good experience. It is an annual follow-up and I'm treated very well.
Providence Patient-
5
It was the most professional I have ever had
Providence Patient-
5
My regular visits are scheduled for Immunotherapy treatments as directed by Dr. Richard Essner. These visits frequently include Imaging studies, and/or Lab work. EVERY time I am seen or treated by the PSJ staff and professionals, I believe that I am receiving the finest available care from the kindest, most caring team there Is. Every three weeks, I drive 2 hours each way to be seen by this team, and I look forward to each and every visit!
Providence Patient-
5
Care provider has a good reputation for the type of cancer that I have. His approach seems very logical.
Providence Patient-
5
Have always received excellent communications and services
Providence Patient-
5
Very happy with my overall experience with Dr.Essner and his staff
Providence Patient-
5
The whole experience with Dr. Essner and his team was excellent. With my diagnosis I was very uneasy. He put my mind at ease and made me feel very happy to have him manage my care needs today and follow me in the future. Great experience.
Providence Patient-
4.94
He was pleasant , explained and answered questions . I had never met him before . This was a surgical consult
Providence Patient-
5
Dr Essner and his team have always been top notch.
Providence Patient-
5
Very well, treated with respect and dignity, and I would recommend them to any of my family and friends
Providence Patient-
5
Dr. Essner always makes me feel like he will take care of any skin cancer issues that come up.
Providence Patient-
5
I am not very good (I am terrible) at zoom meetings, but Dr Essner and his staff understood and helped me through it. I appreciate their patience with me.
Providence Patient-
5
Dr.Essner always treats me with great care and is extremely supportive of my situation
Providence Patient-
5
Dr. Essner is excellent
Providence Patient-
5
Dr. Essner is a kind and patient doctor. He help me understand melanomas and all it entails! I would recommend him to anyone in need of a wonderful doctor, who listens and cares about you
Providence Patient-
5
Everyone at St. John Hospital is friendly, courteous and professional. I am extremely fortunate to be able to go there for my health care needs.
Providence Patient-
5
All good, none bad.
Providence Patient-
5
Great experience
Providence Patient-
5
Excellent doctor and staff
Providence Patient-
5
All the staff including nurses were awesome. Of course, Dr. Essner is amazing!
Providence Patient-
5
Dr. Essners is fabulous. He truly cares about his patients and makes them confident in his knowledge and ability. I refer him to my family and friends
Providence Patient-
5
Dr. Essner was very attentive to my problems and his whole staff are wonderful and very professional in how they handle my Cancer concerns. I trust them with my life and enjoy their compassion to make me feel safe.
Providence Patient-
5
Dr. Essner is very knowledgeable , caring and kind. He is aware of other problems I have that are ongoing and is diligent about my issues. I reccomend him to many of my friends.
Providence Patient-
5
Dr. Essner, MD., is the best and is highly recommend. He lives up to his reputation. I am very glad to have him. My total experience at St. John's has been great.
Providence Patient-
5
Great nicest people I have ever encountered at a hospital can't say enough good things about them.
Providence Patient-
5
Dr. Monitors my health very closely!
Providence Patient-
5
Dr. Essner and his team have been extremely kind, compassionate and encouraging! I was met with kindness everywhere I had to go and was accomodated quickly and efficiently!
Providence Patient-
5
Dr Essner is by far the best Doctor I have ever had. He has THE BEST bedside manner obviously cares deeply about his patients, and it reflects in his care. Never have I felt as if I was just a patient,always felt as if he became a Doctor just to take care of me,and that tells you alot about the man,I was blessed when I was referred to him, and to Saint John's hospital. All the Doctors I have on my team there have been hand picked by the good Lord to take care of me and others that need help, I have, and continued to, tell any one and every one about Saint John's and the awsome staff there thank you from the bottom of my heart
Providence Patient-
5
My experience with the entire office (Dr. Essner, his nursing staff, and schedulers) was excellent!
Providence Patient-
5
Everyone I came in contact with, whether it be on the phone, over zoom, or in person was such a pleasure and so helpful!
Providence Patient-
5
I totally rely on Dr Essner for their help and opinions regarding my condition.
Providence Patient-
5
Visit short. Was emergency surgeon and I met him after surgery. He stopped by to see me or wave to me in hospital. I wasn't with it until I saw him afterwards.
Providence Patient-
5
Very nice and very helpful and professional
Providence Patient-
5
Dr Essner's support staff is very responsive
Providence Patient-
5
Excellent plus caring and compassionate.
Providence Patient-
4.94
Already indicated good
Providence Patient-
5
Dr. Essner and his team offers the very best of treatment and care. After two surgeries, I would recommend him highly. Great surgeon!
Providence Patient-
4.94
Good info on my condition
Providence Patient-
5
Dr Essner is the best doctor I have seen. He has helped me so much and been so proactive about my care.
Providence Patient-
5
Fantastic service, felt I was in great hands. Staff was so considerate and helpful and attentive
Providence Patient-
5
Listens to patient. Gives clear explanations,
Providence Patient-
5
Dr. Essner explained every one of my questions with factual answers that I could understand. His knowledge calmed me down.
Providence Patient-
4.93
Excellent very satisfied
Providence Patient-
5
My current doctor referred me to Dr Essner for a melanoma removal. My entire experience at your facility was wonderful. Everyone I came into contact treated me with respect and caring. In my opinion you have well trained, personable, comforting and caring staff and medical personnel. I felt as if they were truly concerned about my medical welfare. Thanks so much!
Providence Patient-
5
Did a great job. Seems to really care.
Providence Patient-
4.71
In the last 10 months, I have visited doctors more than I have in the previous ten years. The Saint John's experience was by far the best in terms of customer service and quality of care.
Providence Patient-
5
All was easy, respectful and caring
Providence Patient-
5
Thank you for your friendly and knowledgeable service
Providence Patient-
5
Dr. Essner and his team are the best. I drive from northern Santa Barbara County to partake of his and his team's tremendous care, and I moved , with him, to St. John's from Cedars. Now, all I need is to convince him to leave the city and come up here to the Santa Ynez Valley and practice up here! But I do agree with him when he says that St. John's offers a superior level of service and care to his patients than did Cedars Sinai. As long as he is there, and I require Dr. Essner's care, then I will continue to make the drive down to Santa Monica to see him (unless and/or until I can convince him to come up here...LOL!)
Providence Patient-
4.89
Way better than what I expected
Providence Patient-
5
He was very through in the examining on checking his condition was impressed
Providence Patient-
5
All good
Providence Patient-
5
Dr. Essner is a wonderful physician, listens to concerns, responds with understandable information, and I would recommend him to anyone dealing with melanoma
Providence Patient-
5
So far, so good!
Providence Patient-
5
Dr. Essner was kind and professional. He, and his staff, made me feel I was in the right place.
Providence Patient-
5
It has been extremely gratifying to know that I have been referred to the best providers and associates for the care I require.
Providence Patient-
5
All good!!
Providence Patient-
5
Excellent care
Providence Patient-
5
Always professional and kind
Providence Patient-
4.71
Always warm and welcoming. I drive from a long way to get here and it's nice to get my tests done right then and there.
Providence Patient-
4.37
I'm completely satisfied with this provider
Providence Patient-
5
Very thorough and courteous. Always concerned with my well being.
Providence Patient-
5
Dr Essner was very professional, and he explained the steps of the surgery thoughtfully.
Providence Patient-
5
Everything great. Did wait in the exam room quite awhile. Have the test results. Have not had any explanations
Providence Patient-
5
This was extremely smooth. The Doctor and administrative team has been extremely easy to work with.
Providence Patient-
5
Good experience with doctor Essner and his assistant who is very friendly.
Providence Patient-
5
Dr Essner and his team are very nice, professional people. Dr Essner removed melanoma and does following me during many years after the surgery.Great doctor.
Providence Patient-
5
Everyone I came in contact with was wonderful
Providence Patient-
5
The provider was knowledgeable, courteous and showed genuine interest. His stuff was also genuine and their jobs. I felt quite comfortable with him from the beginning. I only wishMore doctors were like him and his staff.
Providence Patient-
5
Excellent care and discussion
Providence Patient-
5
Everything was good.
Providence Patient-
5
Everything has been wonderful. I have a very good team with all of my dr's and my family working together to make sure I receive the best care possible.
Providence Patient-
5
Very thankful for having Dr. Essner and his team.
Providence Patient-
4.92
He saved my life. What more can I say
Providence Patient-
5
Dr. Essner is knowledgeable, cares for his patients and makes himself available when you need him. I recommend him highly to people needing his speciality. He is truly wonderful!!!
Providence Patient-
5
Extremely well organized and knowledgeable. They put me at ease
Providence Patient-
5
Amazing, excellent, and enjoyable. I own a private jet company and we service some of the pickiest people in the world. I know about the combination of safety and hospitality. Dr. Essner was exceptional and I have already recommended him and his practice many times.
Providence Patient-
5
Excellently handled all aspects of visit and surgery
Providence Patient-
5
Staff and doctor are easy to talk to, they make sure we understand and they genuinely care. I'm quick to let others know what a great hospital, doctor and staff are at St John's.
Providence Patient-
5
This is the first time I have been to this hospital, and I am more than impressed. I was seen right away, an my worries and fears have been put to rest. I have already recommended this hospital to my best friend who is battling Brest cancer, and is unhappy with the care she is getting with her doctor, I hope she will fallow my recommendation.
Providence Patient-
5
Dr Essner is a compassionate, caring and very knowledgeable doctor. He listens to my health concerns with care and concern. I trust his medical knowledge and experience. I'm very grateful to have him as my doctor.
Providence Patient-
5
Very efficient. All. Tests were completed quickly.
Providence Patient-
5
All good
Providence Patient-
5
Everyone was cheerful, very pleasant and respectful of everyone's time. Enjoyable meeting.
Providence Patient-
5
All good, all of the care givers and staff are excellent.
Providence Patient-
5
None very good experience good office staff.
Providence Patient-
5
I always receive top notch care. Dr. Essner is a caring and wonderful doctor. He always explains everything and answers all my questions
Providence Patient-
5
Dr.Richard Essner saved my life!!!!
Providence Patient-
5
Extremely skilled surgeon. Kind and caring. A good listener. Quick thorough diagnostision.
Providence Patient-
5
All good and nice people too
Providence Patient-
5
Awesome team!
Providence Patient-
4.93
All was good .
Providence Patient-
5
Dr Essner is very knowledgeable.Explains everything very efficiently
Providence Patient-
5
I was very happy with Dr. Essner's patient explanation of my condition and the surgery and procedures that he will use to address my condition. I feel like I am in extremely good hands. Also, the staff have been unfailingly courteous and helpful.
Providence Patient-
5
Dr. Essner, the best surgeon, listener, resource and a man of truth and kindness.
Providence Patient-
5
All good
Providence Patient-
5
Dr. Essner and his team are fantastic.
Providence Patient-
5
Excellent follow through on my condition as well as personal phone calls to me which were excellent (most of which were spontaneous to give me information). Basically, I never has to call Dr. Essner with a question as he called me spontaneously to give me answers to any issues that I even had yet to process. Dr. Essner is an extremely competent and thorough physician/surgeon.
Providence Patient-
5
Always a great experience
Providence Patient-
5
It was great
Providence Patient-
5
I feel I'm receiving the very best care from Providence St. John's
Providence Patient