Meet Christopher Tomassian | Board Certified Dermatologist & Founder of The Dermatology Collective

We had the good fortune of connecting with Christopher Tomassian and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Christopher, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I always loved the business side of medicine and I wanted to create my own vision of what a doctor’s office should be. I wanted my dermatology practice to be inviting and a safe space for my patients. At The Dermatology Collective, we have changed the stigma of “going to the doctor” from a negative connotation to a positive experience.. On the other hand I hated having a boss who told me what I can’t and can do so having the autonomy to make the business my own was very satisfying. Though many people nowadays don’t want to start their own practice, for me it was all I ever knew. My father opened his private practice over 40 years ago and growing up in that environment I think made me more comfortable to do it myself.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
The concept for The Dermatology Collective emerged during my residency training in Kansas City. We are a state-of-the-art, welcoming, full-service dermatology office specializing in medical, surgical, and cosmetic dermatology. What truly sets us apart is our exceptional staff and thoughtfully designed office. Our team delivers concierge-level care, ensuring minimal wait times and outstanding service for every patient.

What excites me most is the expansion of The Dermatology Collective to various locations across California. Although I always had this vision, it was my wife’s invaluable support that helped us find, build, and design our beautiful office. As our COO, she will also be leading our expansion efforts.

Starting the practice was far from easy. There were days when I saw only one to three patients and faced significant financial losses. Additionally, onboarding with insurance companies can take 90 to 180 days, limiting our ability to accept many insurances initially.

The most important lesson I’ve learned is to treat patients right and let the rest follow. Word of mouth is everything.

I want the world to know that the evolution of medicine begins with The Dermatology Collective. We always put patients first and are committed to finding the best staff to support their needs.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I would start the trip with a visit to my favorite place, In-N-Out, for an animal-style cheeseburger. I love taking visitors who have never been to In-N-Out before just to see their reaction. The next day, we would head to Newport Beach, CA, for a Duffy boat ride with ceviche and snacks from Bear Flag Fish Company. After a day in the sun (with SPF on, of course), we’d go to Javier’s for margaritas and some delicious Mexican food. On their last morning, I would take them to a local coffee shop like Syndicate Coffee in Pasadena, CA, which has the best breakfast sandwiches in town. We’d end the day at everyone’s favorite Persian restaurant, Raffi Kabob!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My beautiful wife Paulina and my amazing family

Website: https://thedermatologycollective.com

Instagram: dr.tomassian