My husband and I recently each saw Dr. Elisabeth Shim, M.D. and we found Dr. Shim and her staff to be extremely professional, knowledgeable, thorough and caring. My husband underwent a MOHS procedure to remove a Melanoma from his arm. From start to finish, Dr. Shim and her team explained exactly what was happening and what to expect. When he finally got the necessary results that all the cancer had been removed, it required fifteen stitches to close the wound. Today, one month from the surgery, the wound has healed, the stitches removed and there is no discernable scar on his arm. Amazing! We highy, highly recommend Dr. Shim!!! read more

She is so amazing!! I had a bad skin infection on my ear and she was so helpful with taking care of it. I highly recommend this place and I definitely will be coming back. read more

I obtained a medical referral for Dr. Elisabeth Shim for dermatology. Skin cancer surgery is her specialty but she admitted my treatment would be trial and error. She prescribed hydrocortisone cream, ketoconazole, Head &Shoulders shampoo, tacrolimus, mupirocin ointments and Zithromax which caused mod-severe diarrhea ! Despite her listing with Providence, she does not have access to MyChart medical records and directed me to obtain a " biopsy result " from Kaiser medical records. The front office had paper chart filing system and boxes of charts on the floor ! Providence urgent care physicians and my PCP are able to access Kaiser records. From her admission of " trial and error " my treatment was a disaster and injections from Kaiser controlled the condition. I left the appointment with a 3x5 card hand written with treatment instructions and no After Visit Summary. My condition worsened, forcing me to go to Urgent Care. A new dermatologist has brought exceptional improvement for me ! read more

I've seen Dr. Shim a couple of times and appreciate her thoroughness and patience. During my most recent visit, Dr. Shim spent the time to understand the products and ingredients I've been using to get to a clear diagnosis. She listens and pays attention without rushing you, which is necessary since getting an appointment can take months and is expensive. Overall I recommend Dr. Shim! read more

Super blessed to have had my Surgeon be Dr. Elisabeth Shim. She removed a Basal Cell Carcinoma off my face and stitched me up beautifully. She's very professional and enjoyable to talk with. Highly recommended. Office staff are also great, very attentive. Thanks so much everyone. read more

Dr. Shim is very professional, knowledgeable and skillful. And her staff is wonderful and caring. I felt very well taken care of.

I found the care Dr. Elisabeth K. Shim and her staff provided me to be excellent, and highly professional. She performed a MOHS procedure to remove a Melanoma from my face and did it without leaving a scar. She listened to my concerns and then carefully and patiently explained in detail everything i would need to know about the procedure. She is the person i use for all of my dermatology procedures and checkups. Based on of all my experiences with her over the past several years I recommend her highly. read more

I went to Dr. Shim today for the first time and she couldn't have been nicer or more professional. I was apprehensive about going at first because of some of the negative reviews. My experience was 100% positive. read more

Took a long time to get the appointment with Dr. Shim, so she does have a busy, post-COVID practice. I recall looking at her credentials and being impressed on many levels, so seems like there are many good reasons to go to her. That said, her office support is challenging and this spills into the patient experience. I write this review more for Dr. Shim to read it and benefit and am happy to remove once I hear from her. My 18 year old son went in for a skin check in Sept. and had something potentially cancerous removed and biopsied, which was happily fine. Two months later when his acne medicine Rx from prior derm ran out, Dr. Shim's office refused to renew the Rx. They can do this easily by looking at his past medical records from his prior Dr. but her office said that they only were doing a skin check on him in Sept. and hadn't considered is acne, so he needs to come back in for another appt. before his Rx may be renewed. The kicker is that the office said that there were no appointments, however, for another 2 months, so he would have to wait that time with no medicine. Pretty dreadful problem solving from this medical office. The person at the front desk said that she spoke with Dr. Shim but this is such a stupid outcome, I question whether the Dr. had been properly engaged in the situation and specifically solution being proposed to her patients, as this is the type of problem-solving that forces patients to find new Drs. I suggested the possibility of a video appt. but even that was unavailable for months, so no renewal of an acne medicine that her healthy patient had been using for years with prior derm. Dr. Shim, I asked your office to comminicate my frustration at this outcome, as I thought important for you to know, but since I never heard from you or your office with a better plan, I have a feeling that never happened. As for us, we called our prior derm, who is no longer in our network yet her office immediately called in and renewed the Rx. We'll just go back to seeing them and wish you well. My sense is that you are a very skilled Dr. but need to dedicate some time to training your support staff so they make you look good and solve easy problems for your patients instead of giving them reasons to be so frustrated that they are driven to find another Dr. Wish you good luck read more

I saw Dr. Shim for a Moh's surgery. At the time she had a physician who was shadowing her. Instead of her doing the initial surgery, the physician she was mentoring did it - without my consent. I didn't realize it as I don't watch but heard her advising him what to do. WTF When I returned for the stitching, once the borders were cleared, I requested that she do the ongoing work. Dr. Shim became defensive, indignant and basically rude. The scar healed well except for the end where there is a slightly lifted area. I did not go back to her but have had 2 cortisone injections by another dermatologist. Dr. Shim is so insecure that any questions are met with distain. Grow-up! read more

Dr. Shim's expertise in dermatology proved invaluable when my boyfriend's needed specialized care. Her diligent efforts and genuine concern for my boyfriend's mom's well-being were evident throughout the process. Thanks to Dr. Shim's guidance, my boyfriend's mom received the treatment she needed. I cannot recommend her highly enough for anyone seeking compassionate and knowledgeable dermatological care. We had an overall positive experience at her office. read more

Dr. Shim was very short and arrogant. HORRIBLE bedside manners. My husband and I were asking questions as he has an infected cyst. She was VERY disrespectful. We give her a one star because there is not an option for zero stars. Please, change your attitude. read more

I was having skin issues on my toe so I consulted Dr. Shim. As usual, I only had to wait a few minutes when I got to the office to see her. The office staff are friendly & efficient. Dr. Shim took her time assessing my toe & making treatment recommendations. Since I was overdue for my yearly check, Dr. Shim went ahead & did a thorough check of every inch of my skin. As you can tell, I'm a big fan of Dr. Shim. She is so friendly, warm, professional, & knowledgeable. I highly recommend her! read more

I've gone to Dr. Shim twice and both times I felt very rushed and not validated. And this past time I went she literally opened the door and started walking out the room while still talking to me about my medical issues. Super disappointed and she didn't even answer all my questions because she was so rushed. I know everyone has busy days but both times I went to her this is how I felt. I also was explaining my concerns and felt very invalidated as she kept saying "it's super minimal" despite me saying how uncomfortable I was with the issue. Unfortunately I won't be returning to Dr. Shim. Hopefully she starts sitting with patients and making them feel heard read more

Hands down the GOAT dermatologist in the LA area and most likely beyond! Dr. Shim is incredibly knowledgeable, kind, an amazing communicator, and cares so much about her patients and the integrity of her profession. She was the only doctor (after several others who completely missed it) who correctly diagnosed an absolutely horrendous case of shingles that had left a huge open wound on my cheek, and her recommended treatment plan for healing literally saved my face--I have ZERO scarring or discoloration. She has also treated my teenage son for acne issues and has shown him such kindness and patience--breaking down so much great information in plain English and also giving carefully considered and effective treatment. There are so many pretenders out there holding themselves out as dermatologists--Dr. Shim's experience and qualifications speak for themselves. She is 100% the real deal. Thank you, Dr. Shim!!! read more

Eliz shim is by far a five star girl. If you are looking for an incredible doctor, she's the best. She has treated my husband and me for years , in many capacities. My opinion of the ones that give her less than a five star were looking for someone to hold their hand and lie to them. they are correct, she will not do that. I will never use any other. I trust her, I think you can to. read more

I really wanted to love Dr. Shim because she came highly recommended by a neighbor, but when I went to her for my annual skin cancer screening last year, it was the fastest, least thorough exam I've ever had. It was so fast that when she was done, I asked her about another skin condition I have--one that is VERY obvious on my skin, and she said that she hadn't even noticed that I have it. Kind of scary, and it certainly didn't make me feel at all confident that she had looked carefully for the really important stuff. She was, however, very nice, and she recommended a moisturizer that she makes (her own skincare line) to use at night that I liked very much. But I'm looking for another dermatologist now to do a far more thorough screening this year. read more

She is the best! Dr.Shim is amazing. Friendly, knowledgeable, and professional!!! I had a bad skin infection and needed an urgent care. She does a great job in explaining and making everything so easy for her patients. Highly recommend and I'll definitely be back. read more

Dr. Shim was kind enough to consult virtually as we are still in a pandemic and many clinics are only taking a limited number of patients. After I explained my medical history with eczema and all the symptoms, and submitted a few photos, she was able to determine the problem and suggest the best OTC treatments while also prescribing necessary medication without going overboard. Highly recommended. read more

Between high school and college in the early 60s, and twenty years before sunscreen became available with an SPF of 15 or greater, I spent my summer as a lifeguard at a couple resort hotels. At the time, we covered ourselves in baby oil, thinking we were protected. We weren't. As a result, by the time I retired, I'd begun to experience suspicious spots appearing on my face, my arms, and my scalp. A doctor suggested I might get checked for skin cancers and, as I am fair skinned, said I was a prime candidate for problems as I aged. . After checking out her outstanding recommendations online I made an appointment. On my first visit, she looked at me, said something that sounded like hmmmm, and explained what cryo-treatments were (freezing with liquid nitrogen) for pre-cancers, performed a couple and told me to come back in three months for a thorough screening. I've been a patient ever since. I've had at least a couple dozen cryo-procedures, one period of a topical chemo (my scalp), several moles biopsied, and at least a half-dozen Moh's surgeries performed to remove basil cell carcinomas and one recent removal of an early stage melanoma. I now have the scars to prove it. I mention scars for a reason. Dr. Shim is without question as close to a perfect plastic surgeon as you can find when it comes to minimizing the effects of surgeries. Her touch is thoughtful and the resulting evidence of a previous surgery is hard to spot. She never hurries, she explains what she's doing as she performing the procedure, and the follow-up tissue repair. After, she makes sure you're aware of proper healing protocols before you leave the clinic to ensure the repair has little or no chance of going wrong when you're on your own. Her offices are clean, her staff is gracious and concerned all the time you're in their care, and the anxiety I felt during the first surgery, has long since disappeared. So, if you're considering any procedures, either for health, or for enhancement, you cannot find anyone in Southern California more suited for your needs. I highly recommend her. read more

Dr. Shim was highly recommended to me by my plastic surgeon who noticed, what I thought was an ugly, hard to kill blemish, as the basal cell carcinoma it was. Dr. Shim did a full body check and took a biopsy. She was professional, thorough and took the time answer all of my questions. On this first visit I felt like I was in very capable hands. I scheduled the surgery in her Pasadena office instead of Santa Monica due to availability. Her staff follows to and from both locations. I cannot say enough about them and their kindness and caring. They all have a great working relationship with Dr. Shim. She is clearly is a great mentor to these young professionals who are planning careers as doctors or therapists themselves. The surgery itself is NOT fun. It's time consuming and nerve wracking. The spot on my nose turned out to be much bigger than I anticipated but Dr. Shim wasn't surprised. She was a professional until the very end of a long day. She talked me down from a minor anxiety attack and reminded me that everything was going to be fine. All of the patients we chatted with in the office (over the course of 7 hours) had nothing but wonderful things to say about her. Some of them had traveled hours to see her. She is clearly an expert in her field. After looking at the 30+ stitches on my nose the following day, I cried. I was sure I would be left with a huge scar and then I accepted it. Happy that the cancer I had was "the good" kind. Surprisingly just 4 weeks later the scar is barely visible and the redness can be treated with laser. Yay me! Yay Dr. Shim. So, after doing a little digging it turns out Dr. Shim has a fair amount of celebrity clients. Lots of them actually. However, you would never know it as she is the most down to earth professional who treats everyone like they are important. I am so happy I was in such good hands. read more

In order for me to leave a review, I had to leave at least one star. Let me start by saying that I was referred by my Dr. due to some skin issues. I read the reviews and was excited due to all the great things others have stated about Dr. Shim. Well upon meeting her, it was a complete disappointment. She walks in and greets me very forcefully, then immediately asks "what can I do for you ". I proceed to tell her about one of my concerns. Takes her about 15 seconds to decide what she'll be prescribing me and proceeds to pick up her lap top to walk out. I advised her that I have another concern to which she states " ok what"... I tell her and 5 seconds later she yells for the assistant to send a prescription. There was nothing personable about her interaction with me, she was rushing ( entire appointment took about 5 minutes) and not to mention she barely let me speak about my concerns. She seemed more annoyed than anything. She tells me to follow her out and proceeds to tell the receptionist " collect her co-pay, she has a co payment". I didn't get a "have a great day, we'll see you soon, goodbye, nothing. Needless to say, I felt very disappointed and uncomfortable, she made me feel as if I was bothering her by even being there. read more

My husband and I both think Dr. Shim is excellent. My husband has had serious issues (skin cancer) and I have had cosmetic ones and we think she has given us thoughtful, caring, and effective treatments. She was very realistic in her approach to my cosmetic issues - she did not promise more than she could deliver and wanted to be sure that I did not expect too much. I was very pleased with the results. She has performed Mohs procedures on my husband and his cancers have been non-recurring. More than this you cannot ask from a skin doctor! As far as her pricing goes, I think it is in line with other dermatologists of her level of expertise and education. I wanted to have her do a little Botox on me once and she told me I could get it done much cheaper elsewhere! I appreciated this! My husband and I both think her staff is charming and efficient and, as we have been going to Dr. Shim for many years now, can't imagine who would feel otherwise. read more

Went in last week for my first appt (general skin check-up, plus removal of a few skin tags). I thought the doctor was warm, friendly, professional, and took the time to answer all my questions. (I don't love going to doctors, so I completely forget to do the skin tags, but that was my fault.) Her staff was also equally friendly and helpful. No complaints at all. (Note: I have kick-ass insurance, so my out-of-pocket was very little. I cannot speak to the costs for those without insurance, or for things not covered by insurance.) read more

Please for the love of God do not go here. Two reasons- one, Dr. Shim isn't that thorough. And more importantly, the idiot at the front desk booked me for the Pasadena office instead of the Santa Monica office even though I have only attended the santa Monica one! These guys are a dime a dozen. Message me and I'll recommend someone better. read more

I highly recommend Dr Shim for a skin screening which is all I've done so far. She's super smart and moves quickly. My experience is that she is more thorough than any other derm I've seen for this. Her staff are efficient friendly and easy to deal with. She's very direct which I prefer. read more

This review is for my conversation on the phone with the office. I work in a health insurance related field and medical billing can be EXTREMELY complicated and full of surprises so I always ask for ICD and procedures codes before a visit (if I think it could get expensive) and then confirm costs with my insurance. The person I spoke with (I wish I got her name), was SO helpful and gave me the codes without making me feel like an inconvenience (and she also made it clear that these codes are based on the assumption that Doctor does during the visit and that it could potentially change depending on what the Doctor decides is needed). Basically, I'm just really thankful for the transparency and willingness to help :) read more

Dr. Shim is an incredible doctor and wonderful person. When it comes to Dermatology she is as good as it gets. I have known her for only a few months, but I have cycled through over five other dermatologists throughout my life and she really is the best one I have ever come across. To start, all of my visits have begun with incredible service. I have never waited longer than a few minutes before Dr. Shim sees me. While most of my visits involve laser treatment for acne, I also have a rare skin condition that no other doctor has been willing to help treat. Dr. Shim not only gladly accepted me as a patient, but is pushing the boundaries on modern Dermatology in treating my condition effectively. For this reason, I strongly believe she is not only an excellent physician, but she is a leader in her field of work. Beyond her incredible professional wisdom, she is also extremely concerned for patient well-being. Moreover, she's very engaged in not only helping with your dermatological needs but in making sure you are safe and healthy. I find this factor very important and it lends well to her overall phenomenal persona. I can't stress enough how wonderful this doctor is. Anyone who is able to find their way into her care is truly lucky. Five stars, one thousand thumbs up! read more

I love Dr. Shim! She is an incredible doctor, very knowledgeable, and also super nice and fun. She has a wonderful bedside manner and instills trust and confidence in her patients. I've had some skin tags and moles removed, as well as treatment for the occasional acne flare up. She is a skin cancer surgeon so I really trust her when it comes to taking care of my skin, especially with all the sun we get in LA!! There are so many dermatologists in LA, but Dr Shim is the one to see! ps- her skincare line, Verdure, is fantastic! Her cleanser and serum have done wonders for my skin and her sunscreen is the only formula that doesn't clog my pores and cause acne. read more

My experience with Dr. Shim could not have gone any better. I am new to the Los Angeles area and have been looking for a doctor I can trust. It was very easy to schedule an appointment and Dr. Shim was very thorough. Dr. Shim is professional in her demeanor yet she has a caring personality that makes you feel at home. I would highly recommend Dr. Shim to anyone! read more

Any Doctor who accepts my medical insurance I'm very grateful for. Many doctors don't want to work with insurance companies making it impossible for many people to go to them. Dr Shim was caring, thorough, and very professional. Her office staff was very kind, The office is clean, I found street parking, there's only two pages of paperwork to fill out which makes me happy. I will definitely be back, she earned a new patient today. read more

Dr. Shim provided a virtual consultation to address the cause of many bug bites my son has suffered from recently. Quick diagnosis and advice on how to treat the situation. Appreciate the convenience of a virtual consult! read more

Last and final RESPONSE: It's delusional to think I'd want to return but this is inflated ego. It's evident from many other reviews here, Dr Shim should look inward and see how she is contributing to the problems others are similarly complaining about. I had a six month follow-up and a second fantastic visit with my new dermatologist again today. They are thorough. They explain things. They care. They do not rush you. They are empathetic. I would state who they are here as they are one building over but I am showing some grace to Dr. Shim even though I received none from her. read more

Horrible bedside manner. She has no sympathy for what you are going through or how you are feeling. All she did was succeed in scaring me and making me extremely anxious. She will NOT be doing the procedure on me. read more

I'm so pleased with Dr. Shim's expertise. Basal cell carcinoma (skin cancer) removed from my neck with MOHS surgery 8/29/18. The scar is hardly visible, after one month. Wow. read more

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Dr. Shim impresses me as an excellent practitioner, in an industry that like most is overrun with mediocrity. While she does not waste time with idle chit chat, you have no doubt that Dr. Shim is on the case and will provide the best treatment in a compassionate manner. I've seen her 3 times, and each time I had wait longer and longer. The first time 30", second time 45" and third time one full hour, hence the 4 vs 5 stars. Office staff is nice, good attitude. read more

I got really lucky to have found Dr Shim and get in on such short notice. I saw her reviews on yelp and was in desperate need of a Derm for some blemish problems :/ They were able to get me in the next day due to a cancellation. Her receptionist Hawn (sp?) was super sweet and helpful. Dr Shim was just as sweet and took her time with me and really seemed like she cared. I will def be seeing her again! The only thing I suggest is to try and find parking at the meters. Parking is expensive anywhere in Santa Monica. read more

Not sure where I'd be if it were not for Dr. Shim. I've had a terrible skin condition for the last two years. I saw two other dermatologists who prescribed all kinds of lotions shampoos and pills. Dr. Shim understood immediately what the problem was and fixed me in one day! She was smart and engaging. And I recommended her to anyone looking for serious help. read more

6-24-2014 I called to inquire about making a (first time) appointment with her. I don't have any insurance, and said I would be paying cash. I was informed by her assistant/desk, that there would be a charge of $185. $185!! I asked what that included, and was informed nothing. Simply to speak with the Dr. I asked, if I select treatments to be performed, will that at least apply toward the treatments? They said, NO. I am shocked and disheartened with the recent trend of clinics and doctors charging outrageous fees for little or NO medical services, for those of us without insurance. Simply speaking with a Dr. is not considered a medical service - not by the medical board, in any case. This is HIGHLY UNETHICAL, and outright stealing, in my book. What happened to the oath doctors take to "... first, do no harm"? Where are the honest, ethical doctors who are honored to practice their profession, and not simply out to charge exorbitant fees without having to provide any treatment? Shame on Dr. Shim, and others I have contacted recently like her, some of whom even go so far as to charge your credit card if you miss your appointment without 48 hours notice. What gives them the right? It's dishonest, there is no other word for it. It's a pity. She seems to have quite good credentials, which is also becoming increasingly difficult to find in L.A., where "medical" spas and clinics are proliferating like rabbits. I take the time to write this review, because there needs to be a serious re-thinking of the society that is being created by corporate greed - especially when it extends to critical services such as medical care/ services. It is a terrible example to the young people who are learning that the dollar is more important than character and values. Food for thought. From an Educator read more

I want to thank Dr Shim for making me feel so at ease and comfortable while seeing her for a skin condition on my hands. She asked thoughtful, pertinent questions and was invested in figuring out a solution for my problem. She took her time to get a complete history, did a thorough exam, and came up with a treatment that started alleviating my symptoms immediately. It's so nice to find a doctor I can trust who is caring but also knows what she's doing. read more