Faces of our Community
Meet Dr. Aegean Chan and Dr. Mark Burnett, California Dermatology Group
Q: How long have you been practicing medicine?
A: Both my partner, Dr. Mark Burnett, and I have been physicians for nearly a decade. We both grew up in Southern California, but we each headed out to New York City for our medical training. I was at Albert Einstein College of Medicine and he was The Mount Sinai School of Medicine. We did not meet until the year after we graduated medical school, during our intern year in internal medicine, at the The Mount Sinai Medical Center. After over a decade in Manhattan, we came back to Santa Barbara and are both elated to be part of this tight-knit community.
Q: Why did you start your business?
A: For the past few years, we have envisioned creating a practice in Santa Barbara that offered the entire spectrum of dermatologic care from an evidence-based perspective. Dr. Burnett brings a unique skill set to the Central Coast, as the only fellowship-trained Mohs surgeon who has been formally trained to use Mohs micrographic surgery in the treatment of melanoma. As the only board-certified dermatologist in the area who is also board-certified in dermatopathology, I am in the unique position of being able to correlate what I see clinically with what I see microscopically. This is especially advantageous while treating patients with complex skin disorders. Being able to provide all of this in one practice is unique in our community and something we are proud to offer. We have been open and accepting new patients since this July.
Q: What makes you the most passionate about your work?
A: The relationships we have with our patients are the most rewarding aspects of practicing medicine. It is a privilege to be able to care for people and a wonderful feeling to have a positive impact on someone's health and life.
We also find the science underpinning dermatology to be fascinating. We could easily talk for hours about it. In truth, being able to “nerd out” on new studies and think about how data from the latest studies can help our patients is also intellectually very satisfying.
Q: What are some of your favorite products?
A: A good sunscreen is one of the most important products anyone can have in their medicine cabinet. Since the protection levels offered have recently been standardized, there isn't necessarily one that is better than another. I believe the best sunscreen is the one you will actually use. Make sure you pick a sunscreen with SPF 30 or more with broad-spectrum coverage. If you will be in the water or sweating, make sure it is water resistant. My personal favorite sunscreen is EltaMD UV Clear because it has an elegant, weightless texture.
Q: Where can we find you on a weekend or your day off?
A: You will find us wherever there is good coffee, food, or cocktails. Our favorite go-tos are Cajé Coffee, Loquita, and Sama Sama Kitchen. We also love spending afternoons at the Sunken Garden with our new baby.
Q: Office Location(s)
A: We see patients in both Santa Barbara and Solvang. Our office in Santa Barbara is located at 2323 Oak Park Lane, Suite 202, across the street from Cottage Hospital. In Solvang, you can find us at 2030 Viborg Rd. Suite 104.
Q: Contact information & social media
A: To make an appointment, call (805) 892-8111. Go to www.cadermgroup.com for more information about the practice.
You can find practical skin care tips from me on Instagram @draegeanchan or aegeanmd.com.
Q: Pro tip
A: Most people are not putting on enough sunscreen! In order to achieve the SPF protection listed on the bottle, you have to apply a density of 2mg/cm2, which is about 50% more than most put on. A great way to make sure you are applying enough sunscreen is to measure out two finger lengths of sunscreen for each body area, i.e. face and neck, each arm, each leg, etc.
Also, remember that sunscreen is not an impenetrable shield. It's important to utilize other sun-protective measures, like shade, hats, long-sleeved shirts, and the UV index, when going out in the sun.
Q: Connection to Santa Barbara, why do you work/live here?
A: My practice partner and husband, Mark Burnett, is a Santa Barbara native - a product of Adams Elementary School, La Cumbre Middle School, and San Marcos High School. We were offered academic positions at a number of dermatology departments in NYC, but ultimately decided we wanted to put down roots in Santa Barbara. I am from Thousand Oaks, so it was important to us to be close to family and settle in this incredible community. And after eleven East coast winters, we missed the California sunshine and are so happy to be back.
