About Melanie Goldfarb, MD
Certified by the American Board of Surgery, Melanie R. Goldfarb (MD, M.Sc., FACS, FACE) is an endocrine surgeon specializing in minimal access surgery for adrenal tumors, thyroid, parathyroid, and neck ultrasound, thyroid biopsy, and radiofrequency ablation. She is the founding Director of the Center for Endocrine Tumors, a “one-stop-shop” for thyroid/parathyroid ultrasound and biopsy with same-day imaging and results where every patient receives a personalized treatment plan that is a collaboration created together with the patient and physician. Dr. Goldfarb is a leader in her field and has authored over 75 publications and received numerous grants. She is also one of the first physicians on the west coast to offer radio-frequency ablation of thyroid nodules in her office.
Dr. Goldfarb graduated from Brown University and earned her medical degree at the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine. She completed her internship and residency in surgical training at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center-Harvard Medical School in Boston, followed by a fellowship in endocrine surgery at the University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine.
She is on the editorial board of the medical journal “Thyroid.” She serves on committees for several associations, including the American Thyroid Association, the Society for Surgical Oncology, the American Association of Clinical Endocrinology, and the American Association of Endocrine Surgeons. She is also a member of several other professional associations, including the Endocrine Society, American Society for Clinical Oncology, Western Surgical Association, Pacific Coast Surgical Association, American College of Surgeons, and the International Association of Endocrine Surgeons.
Dr. Goldfarb focuses her personal research on endocrine tumors, thyroid ultrasound, secondary malignancies, cancer survivorship, and adolescent and young adult thyroid cancer.
Medical Service
Surgical SpecialtiesLocations
2121 Santa Monica Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90404
Education
Medical School
University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine, Chicago, IL
Internship
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (Harvard Medical School), Boston, MA
Residency
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (Harvard Medical School), Boston, MA
Fellowship
University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL
Languages
- Aetna – HMO
- Aetna Medicare Advantage PPO
- Aetna PPO
- Anthem Blue Cross HMO
- Anthem Blue Cross PPO
- Blue Preferred PPO networks
- Blue Shield of CA HMO
- Blue Shield of CA HMO – Trio
- Blue Shield of CA Medicare Advantage
- Blue Shield of CA PPO
- BlueCross BlueShield MT PPO
- Caremark MHN PPO
- Choice /Humana PPO
- Cigna HMO
- Cigna PPO
- Community Care Network – PPO
- Coventry/First Health PPO
- First Choice PPO
- First Health/Coventry PPO
- Health Net – Covered CA HMO
- Health Net – Federal
- Health Net – Federal Services (Champus)
- Health Net – HMO
- First Health/Coventry PPO
- Health Net – TriCare
- Health Net Medicare Advantage
- Health Net PPO
- Health Smart PPO
- HealthSmart (Interplan) PPO
- Humana – ChoiceCare PPO
- Humana Medicare Advantage
- Medicare
- Medicare Advantage PPO
- Multiplan PPO
- Optum
- Oscar EPO
- Premera PPO
- Private HealthCare Systems (PHCS)
- Providence Health Plan
- Providence Health Plan – Medicare Advantage
- Providence Preferred
- Regence Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO
- Regence PPO
- SCAN Medicare Advantage
- TriCare
- United Healthcare HMO
- United Healthcare Medicare Advantage
- United HealthCare PPO
- Vivity by Anthem Blue Cross
- Saint John’s Cancer Center
- Providence Saint John’s Health Center
Hospital Affiliation
- Saint John’s Physician Partners
Professional Associations
- American Thyroid Association
- American Association of Endocrine Surgeons
- American Association of Clinical Endocrinology
- Society for Surgical Oncology
- Endocrine Society
- American Society for Clinical Oncology
- Western Surgical Association
- Pacific Coast Surgical Association
- American College of Surgeons
- International Association of Endocrine Surgeons
Board Certifications
- American Board of Surgery, Surgery
- Parathyroid carcinoma in more than 1,000 patients: A population-level analysis.
- Recent advances in the understanding and management of primary hyperparathyroidism
- ASO Author Reflections: Incorporating Adjuvant Radiation into the Treatment Planning for Select Adrenocortical Carcinomas
- Adjuvant Radiation is Associated with Improved Survival for Select Patients with Non-metastatic Adrenocortical Carcinoma
- Balancing the benefits and harms of thyroid cancer surveillance in survivors of Childhood, adolescent and young adult cancer: Recommendations from the international Late Effects of Childhood Cancer Guideline Harmonization Group in collaboration with the PanCareSurFup Consortium
- Am Surg . 2017 Oct 1;83(10):1132-1136. Anatomic Location Is the Primary Determinant of Survival for Paragangliomas
- Effects of socioeconomic status on children with well-differentiated thyroid cancer
- Impact of Laparoscopic Adrenalectomy on Overall Survival in Patients with Nonmetastatic Adrenocortical Carcinoma
- Thyroid Cancer-Specific Quality of Life and Health-Related Quality of Life in Young Adult Thyroid Cancer Survivors
- Age at Primary Malignancy Determines Survival in Adolescent and Young Adults That Develop a Secondary Thyroid Cancer
- Pediatric Thyroid Microcarcinoma
- Impact of Regional Lymph Node Dissection on Disease Specific Survival in Adrenal Cortical Carcinoma
- AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF CLINICAL ENDOCRINOLOGISTS AND AMERICAN COLLEGE OF ENDOCRINOLOGY DISEASE STATE CLINICAL REVIEW: TIMING OF MULTIPLE ENDOCRINE NEOPLASIA THYROIDECTOMY AND EXTENT OF CENTRAL NECK LYMPHADENECTOMY
- Pediatric papillary thyroid cancer >1 cm: is total thyroidectomy necessary?
- Support needs and survivorship concerns of thyroid cancer patients

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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- 202 Reviews
- 182 Comments
She's very nice and an excellent physician
Providence PatientDr. Goldfarb was a pleasure to visit and we actually had a fun time.
Providence PatientCordial and Very Professional.
Providence PatientDr. Goldfarb is very knowledgeable about thyroid nodules, and the ablation procedure performed on me. She is crystal clear about the process, procedures, before and after care, and the procedure was done flawlessly. I was in and out in less than 2 hours, and went home with minimal discomfort. I highly recommend her AND the radio frequency ablation procedure she performs!!
Providence PatientExcellent
Providence PatientDr. Goldfarb had a very informative and positive communication style. She had reviewed my medical records prior to my visit and was prepared to offer both a clear explanation of my illness and treatment options. She provided immediate treatment after laying out the options and I was delighted with the outcome. I highly recommend her.
Providence PatientDr. Goldfarb was amazing. Very personable and confident. Placed me at ease tight away. She answered and explained all my questions to my satisfaction. Seemed knowledgable.
Providence PatientVery thorough, understood everything that she said
Providence PatientExcellent facility, staff, easy to park with valet option, physician care is excellent.
Providence PatientVery good care
Providence PatientDr Goldfarb is excellent!
Providence PatientExceptional service and 0 waiting time
Providence PatientProfessional, efficient, and caring
Providence PatientExvellent doctor and staff!!
Providence PatientVery good provider
Providence PatientShe is knowlegable, precessional and caring. Her staff are the same.
Providence PatientAll good experiences!
Providence PatientVery helpful and understanding!
Providence PatientVery good experience.
Providence PatientShe is very caring.
Providence PatientExcellent from start to finish
Providence PatientVery professionals and polite! Thank you very much to everyone
Providence PatientDr. Goldfarb is a really nice and she has a great bedside manner.Bryan is very nice and efficient.
Providence PatientAs always, such an amazing experience! Absolutely love Dr Goldfarb. She's the absolute best! And I love your facility as well. Always a pleasure to go to the doctor, which is a big thing for me, because I hate going to the doctor. :)
Providence PatientOne of the best physicians I have been to :)
Providence PatientVery thoughtful, caring and kind
Providence PatientDr. Goldfarb was highly competent, articulate, efficient, and well prepared for this appointment having studied the patient's records.
Providence PatientShe was efficient, professional and thorough. She listened to questions and explained everything clearly.
Providence PatientMelanie Goldfarb is smart, decisive and delightful.
Providence PatientExplained procedure and outcomes
Providence PatientExcellent facility and medical team
Providence PatientI am very pleased with the care I have received so far.
Providence PatientDr.Goldfarb knew exactly my problem and explained the ultrasound. She was friendly and kind.
Providence PatientDr. Goldfarb is awesome. She immediately addressed my concern and clarified my questions. My in-patient procedure was quick and stress free. She is gentle and very meticulous. She is professional, experienced, and effective. She made my Intricate procedure so easy. And I am so grateful for Dr. Goldfarb and the dedication she displays to her patients.
Providence PatientThis is a miracle for me and I can't believe how fast, efficient and excellent this provider works and I regret so very much that I didn't find her earlier to help me. The best care I experienced for the past 10 years. Thank you.
Providence PatientApproachable, easy to converse with
Providence PatientDr. Goldfarb is very efficient, thorough, and has a caring manner. She is direct about any information related to the appointment, your care and concerns. No questions is unimportant, no concern is left unaddressed.
Providence PatientI was very impressed with Dr. Goldfarb
Providence PatientDr Goldfarb is excellent -- I really appreciate her expertise and her ability to communicate easily with me. I am always completely at ease after an appointment with Dr. Goldfarb. Really a pleasure.
Providence PatientDr. Goldfarb is an expert at performing radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of thyroid nodules. Before she did this procedure, she asked me if two physicians could observe her doing the RFA procedure on me. I agreed.
Providence PatientAll good experiences. The Doctor put me at ease. I was stressed out prior to my appointment with the Doctor. She is top notch.
Providence PatientDr Goldfarb was excellent!
Providence PatientDr. Goldfarb is very competent and has spent a good deal of time explaining things to me. Before I selected one of two approaches (nodule ablation shrinkage or surgery) she called me back twice, as it was a difficult decision. I decided on ablation and found the procedure more tolerable than I thought it would be and her expertise and compassion during the procedure and before and after very high.
Providence PatientDr. Goldfarb was very friendly and knowledgeable
Providence PatientI loved Dr. Goldfarb. Very knowledgeable and helped me understand the procedure that I will be having. Very easy to get an appointment. The staff was so helpful.
Providence PatientI enjoyed Dr. Goldfarb's energy, straight to the point. She showed me where the problem is, the ease, risk of the procedure. Too bad she is not closer to me. If the referring doctor feels good about Dr. Goldfarb, so do I.
Providence PatientThe visit was for a periodic check-up. Overall, my experience was excellent -- efficient, thorough, and very well focused on my concerns.
Providence PatientI thought Dr. Goldfarb was excellent! She went over my issues, explained everything to me very succinctly and in her recommendation, she gave me confidence that this was the right thing for us to do under the circumstances. She had to perform a biopsy on my thyroid and gave me confidence. And I trusted her! If I need to go back, I would definitely go back to Dr. Goldfarb And recommend her to Anyone who needs her services!
Providence PatientExcellent, excellent care
Providence PatientThis was the first visit with my provider. She's smart, accessible, and I connected with her immediately. It was a great visit.
Providence PatientExceptional patient service!
Providence PatientDr Goldfarb is great. Period.
Providence PatientAll good
Providence PatientIt was a great experience, thanks to whole team!!!
Providence PatientDr Goldfarb is interested in what you have to say, does not rush in any way . Besides being a great doctor, she made me feel that I ( my issue) was important to her. Overall she's one of the most personable doctors I have met.
Providence PatientThis was my initial visit with Dr Goldfarb. So happy I have her as my doctor now! Loved her energy and how she was really focused and engaged when she talked with me, explained my diagnosis and options, when I asked a question or shared info.
Providence PatientVery happy with Dr. Goldfarb. Much appreciated.
Providence PatientShe was very professional and I found her easy to talk to and felt that I had an excellent appointment.
Providence PatientGreat Visit - she had me in and out in minutes - just needed a follow up (ultra sound?) scan To look at a nodule on my thyroid.
Providence PatientDr. Goldfarb is an excellent physician. I am very grateful that I am able to be seen by her.
Providence PatientTop notch doctor
Providence PatientLove melanie
Providence PatientHighly disciplined practice.
Providence PatientAmazing staff and Dr. Golfarb is top of her field!
Providence PatientDr. G is fantastic! Warm and caring and extremely astute.
Providence PatientVery satisfying experience!
Providence PatientDr. Goldfarb and her staff are very attentive and kind
Providence PatientGREAT doctor - friendly, straight forward. Could not ask for a better physician.
Providence PatientDr Goldfarf is an amazing doctor and I had a wonderful experience with her
Providence PatientShe is very empathetic and understanding.
Providence PatientI really like Dr. Goldfarb. She was my thyroid surgeon.
Providence PatientVery professional and excellent care.
Providence PatientI wish your other doctors been as professional as Dr. Goldfarb!
Providence PatientDr Goldfarb was excellent made me feel comfortable, gave me options and assured I was receiving quality health care
Providence PatientThe doctor was great. She showed me what she saw in the images and explained that it was not needing more than a check up in 18 months
Providence PatientWas very satisfied with the service and information received
Providence PatientI had a good experience during my last visit
Providence PatientExcellent job
Providence PatientEverything was good, kind, caring and on time
Providence PatientVery good !
Providence PatientExcellent
Providence PatientEVERYONE on her team couldn't be nicer they ALL made me feel comfortable and safe
Providence PatientDr Goldfarb is an excellent listener and explained my condition in detail. She's great
Providence PatientWonderful care, hardly any waiting to see the doctor.
Providence PatientDr. Goldfarb's staff is always kind and courteous. Of course, Dr. Goldfarb sets the high standards and values. .
Providence PatientHighly professional and well-experienced doctor.
Providence PatientKnowledgable and friendly provider
Providence PatientThe dr explain well
Providence PatientDr. GOldfarb was informative. Calm. Lovely and reassuring. I felt better leaving the consultation than I did arriving. She made me feel confident about the path we were going to take.
Providence PatientDr Goldfarb and her team and staff are exceptional and gave me great care.
Providence PatientQuick and direct. Attentive.
Providence PatientDr Goldfarb is a great doctor, she is knowledgeable and thorough with the medical Information as well as compassionate and engaging.
Providence PatientGreat experience this far. Made the change in network and very happy with doctors and all services
Providence PatientEveryone involved was very helpful & nice.It was very pleasant.
Providence PatientDr. Goldfarb was wonderful, warm and kind. She took the time to explain things, listened to my concerns and answered my questions. Her team was also kind and considerate.
Providence PatientFrom check in, to going into exam room, my experience was excellent. Very organized. Facility was state of the art. Very pleased w my visit.
Providence PatientStaff respectful/polite. Dr. Goldfarb seemed very knowledgeable regarding her field of medicine. Easy to talk with.
Providence PatientShe is one of the best I have seen.
Providence PatientThoughtful and thorough
Providence PatientEveryone was very professional.I was taken in to my appointment ahead of schedule and was seen very quickly.The whole experience was the best experience I have ever had. Dr goldfarb was incredible! I felt like I was in great hands. Thank you
Providence PatientI met Dr. Goldfarb while feeling a bit anxious about my situation and she was exactly the professional, calming presence I needed. She talked me through all our options and I could tell how intelligent and experienced she is. I feel so lucky to have been referred to Dr. Goldfarb and know I'm in good hands.
Providence PatientEveryone was very attentive and kind.
Providence PatientI liked Melanie Goldfarb, appreciated the time she took to followup on a thyroid ultrasound from Tower, and have confidence In her diagnosis.
Providence PatientVery Great experience
Providence PatientWonderful care, great result
Providence PatientDr Goldman is friendly, very knowledgeable and professional. Her demeanor makes one feel relaxed and cared for.
Providence PatientDr. Goldfarb is excellent.
Providence PatientAll good
Providence PatientDr Goddard showed tremendous amount of understanding, compassion, and empathy during my visit.
Providence PatientMy first visit with Dr. Goldfarb and she put me at ease immediately. She was on time, personable, confident and explained everything about my condition. I would highly recommend her.
Providence PatientGreat experience
Providence PatientThank you for professionalism and kindness
Providence PatientMy experience was very good, I felt that I was in good hands.
Providence PatientThis was a recheck and it was pleasant and informative and there will be another in a few months
Providence PatientExcellent care from Dr Goldfarb
Providence PatientI received great care, thank you
Providence PatientDr. GOLDFARB is always friendly and professional. I'm very happy with my procedure and follow up.
Providence PatientCT scan done at office, very knowledgeable, very reassuring
Providence PatientThe check up was breeze. The staff are very caring. Dr. Goldfarb is wonderful.
Providence PatientDr Goldfarb and the doctor who assisted her were wonderful
Providence PatientSmart, thorough good bedside manner
Providence PatientI did have to leave a couple of messages before getting a call back. As a matter of fact, it was after mentioning to my oncologist, who initially referred me, that I hadn't heard back from Dr. Goldfarb's office that I got a return call. Orher than that delay, I have no complaint. The doctor and the staff were great.
Providence PatientI was very happy with Dr. Goldfarb. She was informative, told me what I needed to know and talked to me about the results of the surgery.
Providence PatientExcellent over all care from doc to helpers A+
Providence PatientDr Goldfarb was a real professional Her In-depth knowledge and expertise allayed all my fears during our visitIt was a pleasure seeing her for this serious health issueI would give her an 11 out of 10 if possible
Providence PatientDr. Goldfarb always nice, efficient and a pleasure to talk to.
Providence PatientThank you for very friendly and very efficient service.
Providence PatientDr Goldfarb is an excellent thyroid specialist and a caring doctor.
Providence PatientExcellent
Providence PatientVery attentive and caring doctor!
Providence PatientVery pleased with my experience at this facility
Providence PatientLove Dr. Goldfarb & her staff, they always take excellent care of me.
Providence PatientThe whole team was very kind, courteous, friendly, and knowledgeable.
Providence PatientExcellent
Providence PatientDr. Goldfarb eased my fears and seemed very knowledgeable about my problem
Providence PatientDr Goldfarb is excellent - very pleasant, very efficient, very professional.
Providence PatientI went in super terrified to even be in the building our of nerves, but she stood right next to me and took her time to show my farmland I what was going on, give her professional stance and gave me my options to make sure I was comfortable. I loved every experience !
Providence PatientYour care provider, was very serious about my condition and made all the test that I needed readily available. And scheduled to help me with my condition in a very early time. She was recommended by another doctor that I'm seeing at this time, and I'm very satisfied with her.
Providence PatientExcellent doctor, staff and care
Providence PatientEveryone seemed to approach individuals with thought and care.
Providence PatientExcellent visit
Providence PatientI needed a specialist to get a second opinion on an existing medical condition. I had been told conflicting diagnoses and wanted an outside evaluation and opinion. I received excellent information from Dr. Goldfarb and my concerns were resolved.
Providence PatientExcellent and showed me the ultrasound to explain exactly what medical terms applied. Very informtive.
Providence PatientMy experience was very pleasant and eased my health concerns.
Providence PatientVery informative, and on a timely manner
Providence PatientOutstanding physician!
Providence PatientEverything was good, she explained everything well, I think I need to do a follow up
Providence PatientDr Goldfarb was very patient about my many questions about choosing between RFA and surgery for my benign thyroid nodule. My decision-making would have been less confusing if she had weighed in on a possible preference but I understand why she didn't do so. It's good to know that surgery is an option if the nodule hasn't sufficiently decreased in size after a year or so.
Providence PatientDr. Melanie Goldfarb was extremely helpful
Providence PatientShe is really a good doctor able to answer our questions accordingly
Providence PatientVery thoughtful and thorough. Professional. Reviews all pertinent family history
Providence PatientShe's great.Very happy w her
Providence PatientFrom the parking to the visit w/Dr. Goldfarb everything was easy and explained well.
Providence PatientEveryone was nice polite and caring.
Providence PatientDr goldfarb and her team were amazing I was treated and all of my results and treatment were taken care of at the time of my visit. She explained everything. She truly is an amazing doctor. I was lucky to have found her.Thank you so much
Providence PatientDr Goldfarb was great, she is an expert and it shows. She was very clear, direct and kind and compassionate too. Her staff were all great, kind, compassionate and helpful as well.
Providence PatientExcellent interaction
Providence PatientA confidence inspiring physician and a really nice person.
Providence PatientAll good Perfect
Providence PatientVery good experience and follow-up. Thanks
Providence PatientThe entire experience was very good!
Providence PatientDr. Goldfarb was extremely engaged in my situation. She was very warm and friendly and relatable. She answered my questions and put my mind at ease.
Providence PatientI really appreciated that Dr Goldfarb worked me in before she was going to be away.
Providence PatientGood experience. Dr Goldfarb did a biopsy of a thyroid deposit. It all went fine. She was knowledgeable and we received word on the pathology within 15 minutes. Excellent experience from her and the pathology doctor who gathered the test samples
Providence PatientDr. Goldfarb was extremely patient and clear with her strategy for my health condition. She provided an alternative to surgery which was what I had hoped for, she is very knowledgeable and approachable. Extremely happy with my first consultation with her.
Providence PatientGreat care and concern. Very on point with diagnosis, very confident on fixing the medical problem.
Providence PatientDr Goldfarb and her team were extremely efficient, patient in explaining everything and very pleasant.
Providence PatientDr Goldfarb is compassionate understanding straightforward and very definite and clear in her recommendations - you cannot ask for more.
Providence PatientDr Goldfarb was very informative and made things easy to understand
Providence PatientYou have the best doctors keep up the good work
Providence PatientGreat people
Providence PatientVery knowledgeable, easy to talk to, gave me hope she could and wanted to help me. I drove 2 hours to see her because I couldn't get that locally
Providence PatientEveryone was excellent
Providence PatientEverything about this experience was excellent. Front office, back office, the doctor, ease of scheduling. All of it. It was treated with respect and care.
Providence PatientDr Goldfarb made the procedure very easy and I felt confident I was in good hands
Providence PatientDr Goldfarb and her staff were great
Providence PatientGreat experience
Providence PatientDr. Goldfarb is the best!
Providence PatientSuper nice ,easy to talk to. Nice staff
Providence PatientDr Goldfarb and staff are beyond amazing! Very very happy! One of the best dr I have ever seen!
Providence Patient