MEET THE DOCTORS

PEYMAN GHASRI, MD,FAAD


Dr. Ghasri strives for excellence in every aspect of his practice, be it meticulous attention to detail, or simply in establishing a personable and comfortable relationship with his patients.

Dr. Ghasri was raised in the San Fernando Valley. A magna cum laude graduate of UCLA, Dr. Ghasri was the recipient of numerous merit scholarships and awards. He attended UC Irvine School of Medicine with a full scholarship, where he demonstrated his abilities by maintaining a perfect academic record, graduating amongst the top of his class.

Following medical school, Dr. Ghasri received training in General Surgery and Plastic Surgery at UCLA, followed by completion of Dermatology residency training at UC Irvine. His unique training in both Plastic Surgery and Dermatology allow him to use his artistry in concert with cutting edge technology to bring about youth and beauty in his patients, as well as caring for their medical and surgical needs.

Not only is Dr. Ghasri academically astute, but also has been active in innovative research in multiple arenas in medical, cosmetic and surgical dermatology. Dr. Ghasri was one of the pioneer investigators on the alternative applications of Thermage. He has been invited to multiple national and international meetings as a lecturer and has presented at the international meeting of American Society for Laser Medicine & Surgery. Dr. Ghasri is also published extensively in various peer-reviewed journals and has been sought after for his comments on various topics in several dermatology journals and was recently featured on NBC News.

Dr. Ghasri takes pride in drawing on his artistic creativity gained through his unique training. His special interest are in surgical dermatology as well as various cosmetic procedures notably in facial contouring, utilizing the appropriate soft tissue fillers and Botox in combination with lasers.

Dr. Ghasri approaches each patient as an individual, and regularly takes the time to discuss all options and answer all questions in detail. He is frequently complimented for his considerate care to the patient need and comfort, and gentle pain-free touch. His laid back personable style, straight forward approach, and genuine caring that have made him a favorite among patients will be evident during your consultation.

Dr. Ghasri is a diplomat of the American Board of Dermatology, fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology, fellow of American Society of Dermatologic Surgery, and a member of American Society of Mohs Surgery.

PEDRAM GHASRI, MD,FAAD

Dr. Pedram Ghasri is a board certified dermatologist with expertise in medical, surgical, and cosmetic dermatology. As a native of the Encino/Tarzana area, he is proud to serve his hometown community at Castle Dermatology Institute.

Dr. Pedram Ghasri graduated Summa Cum Laude from UCLA with a Bachelors of Science degree in Neuroscience. He went on to attend medical school at the University of California, Irvine as a nationally recognized Regents Scholar. At UC Irvine, he received multiple awards and honors, including election to the Alpha Omega Alpha medical honor society, the highest academic distinction awarded to a U.S. medical graduate. As his clinical interests in dermatology flourished, he extended his medical school graduation by one year to conduct laboratory research in finding a cure for a rare, genetic skin disease called epidermolysis bullosa.

Following graduation from medical school, he completed his internship in Internal Medicine at Huntington Memorial Hospital in Pasadena. He then returned to UC Irvine to complete his Dermatology residency, where he received the honorable distinction of being named Chief Resident in his final year. During residency, Dr. Ghasri was also awarded a preceptorship sponsored by the American Society of Dermatologic Surgery. He utilized this opportunity to travel to New York City to further refine his clinical acumen in Mohs skin cancer surgery and reconstruction, cosmetic dermatology, and laser surgery. Dr. Ghasri continues to be involved in a variety of research endeavors and is widely published in journals such as the Journal of American Academy of Dermatology, Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, and Dermatologic Surgery.

Dr. Pedram Ghasri specializes in medical dermatology, skin cancer detection and treatment, surgical, and cosmetic dermatology. His comprehensive medical expertise includes eczema, acne, warts, psoriasis, rosacea, hair loss, bullous diseases, infections, and vitiligo. He is also experienced in many cosmetic procedures, including injectable fillers, Botox, lasers, chemical peels, and sclerotherapy. Dr. Ghasri is known for his kind demeanor and personal commitment to all of his patients, and looks forward to addressing all of your comprehensive dermatology needs.

 

TAEHEE STRAUSS, MHS, PA-C

Taehee Strauss is a board-certified physician assistant(PA-C) and SDPA fellowship-trained PA specializing in dermatology. She is dedicated to delivering exceptional medical, aesthetic, and surgical dermatologic practices and is frequently recognized by her patients and peers for providing both meticulous and compassionate care. We are honored and proud to have her part of the Castle Dermatology team taking care of our patients with a highest level of excellence.

Taehee earned her master’s degree from the highly competitive PA program at the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine in Tulsa, OK where she was selected as a recipient of the Mary K. & John T. Oxley Scholarship. During her schooling, she found her aspiration for dermatology after witnessing her patients regain their confidence after remarkable care.

She completed her undergraduate degree from the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center and worked as a Registered Nurse at The Children’s Hospital at OU Medicine for six years. She also enjoyed teaching and mentoring pre-health students in human cadaver anatomy and biology.

Taehee was born and raised in Seoul, South Korea, and moved to the United States to study abroad. In Seoul, she witnessed firsthand the importance of and correlation between public perception, first impressions, confidence, skin health, and aesthetics. She is determined to deliver the best dermatologic care through creating individualized natural aging plans, performing rejuvenating treatments, examining for skin cancer, providing acne solutions, doing biopsies, collaborating with Dr.Ghasri and more.

She is a diplomate fellow of the Society of Dermatology Physician Assistant, a member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants, and a member of the California Dermatology Physician Assistant Society. She also holds certifications for both skin rejuvenation treatments using injectables and lasers.

During her years working as an RN, she operated a baking business where she donated her time and proceeds to give back to the local community. F.A.I.T.H Kids 501(c)(3) was the primary nonprofit organization she supported to help kids fight life-threatening illnesses. During her free time she loves to travel, bake, and spend time with her husband exploring beautiful Southern California.

 

MELISSA ELIST, PA-C

Melissa Elist, PA-C is a Southern California native. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology with an emphasis in Disability Studies from University of California, Los Angeles in 2016. She then graduated from University of California, Davis in 2021 with a Master’s Degree in Physician Assistant Studies.

After graduating from UC Davis, Melissa began working in dermatology. Melissa’s dermatological expertise encompasses eczema, psoriasis, hair loss, skin cancer screening, lasers, acne, rashes, and a variety of other skin conditions. As an impassioned advocate for preventative medicine, she consistently promotes routine screening exams for her patients alongside other strategic preventative care measures. Melissa takes the time to create customized plans to ensure her patient’s best results based on their unique personal needs, emphasizing holistic care which works across mind, body and soul.

Melissa enjoys both adult and pediatric dermatology with special emphasis on adolescent and adult acne, as well as skin cancer screenings.