Richard Essner, MD

Richard Essner, MD

Surgical Oncology

Accepting New Patients

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.  

Richard Essner

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Richard Essner, MD, FACS
Hematology/Oncology Clinic

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Hematology/Oncology
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Medical Service

Surgical Specialties

Locations

2121 Santa Monica Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90404
(310) 828-8585

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

Reviews

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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.

  • 4.9
  • 157 Reviews
  • 241 Comments
  • 5
12/14/2025

Dr. Essner and his entire staff provide excellent services. I am very pleased with my care.

Providence Patient
  • 5
12/13/2025

Everything is great

Providence Patient
  • 5
12/08/2025

Very appreciative and grateful to all at providence Saint johns. Always warm and friendly.

Providence Patient
  • 5
11/20/2025

I have only had excellent experiences with Dr. Essner for over 40 years.

Providence Patient
  • 5
11/18/2025

Extremely happy with my experiences I have received from this facility.

Providence Patient
  • 4.31
11/17/2025

Other than waiting an hour and a half, I was pleased.

Providence Patient
  • 5
11/17/2025

The experience was all good.

Providence Patient
  • 5
11/06/2025

So refreshing to have a doctor actually listen to you and calmly explain your health. Doctor would look you in the eye as he spoke to you. So happy we made the long drive to see Dr. Essner.

Providence Patient
  • 5
10/30/2025

Always a good visit

Providence Patient
  • 5
10/19/2025

Dr. Essner and his staff is the best that one could possibly hope for in a Dr.. I have nothing but praise for him as a Dr. WhoIs very caring and open to listening to what I have to say or asking questions and getting answers.

Providence Patient