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
(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
  • 158 Reviews
  • 267 Comments
  • 4.71
04/18/2026

This was my first visit for Skin cancer and all parts of the visit were a very good experience.

Providence Patient
  • 5
04/08/2026

Dr. Essner and staff are excellent. I would highly recommend them to anyone.

Providence Patient
  • 5
04/01/2026

Punctual, polite, very knowledgeable. Have been trusting him for almost over 14 years.

Providence Patient
  • 5
03/31/2026

My experience was excellent.

Providence Patient
  • 5
03/28/2026

Very good experience - both with surgery and aftercare.

Providence Patient
  • 5
03/21/2026

The office staff is very respectful and friendly.Dr. Esner and his nurse practitioner are excellent.

Providence Patient
  • 5
03/14/2026

Very happy with provider's care.

Providence Patient
  • 5
03/14/2026

Very good the best thanks

Providence Patient
  • 4.87
03/09/2026

Received exact information regarding my issues

Providence Patient
  • 4.94
03/07/2026

He was nice but I waited 40 minutes

Providence Patient