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
01 / 02

Medical Service

Surgical Specialties

Locations

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

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
  • 168 Reviews
  • 179 Comments
  • 5
02/03/2025

Great visit

Providence Patient
  • 4.71
01/29/2025

Care was great!

Providence Patient
  • 5
01/25/2025

Dr. Essner is a special caring competent special doctor! He saved my life!

Providence Patient
  • 5
01/18/2025

Good experience

Providence Patient
  • 5
01/15/2025

Excellent service

Providence Patient
  • 5
01/09/2025

Service provider is very competent ( Important!!!) , helpful and friendly: In other words, great!

Providence Patient
  • 5
12/16/2024

Everyone is helpful and very understanding. I am thankful for the care and assistance I receive anytime I have questions or concerns.

Providence Patient
  • 5
12/14/2024

Dr Essner and his team offer excellent care and followup for my melanoma

Providence Patient
  • 5
12/09/2024

Dr. Essner is one of the most skilled, knowledgeable and helpful physicians I have ever experienced.

Providence Patient
  • 5
12/09/2024

Dr. Essner is always caring and attentive as well as St. John's entire staff.

Providence Patient