Howard Sofen, M.D.
Dr. Sofen is a Board Certified Dermatologist who has been serving the Los Angeles area for nearly 30 years. He is an expert in conditions that affect the skin, hair, and nails. He graduated Cum Laude from the University of California, Los Angeles, with a B.S. in Biochemistry. He performed a graduate work in Biology at UCLA before attending Hahnemann Medical College in Philadelphia, where he graduated with Honors in Pathology.
Dr. Sofen is very active in the dermatologic community. He is a fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology and a Diplomate of the American Board of Dermatology. He has serves as the Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine at the UCLA School of Medicine and is currently serving as the Dermatology Division Chief at UCLA’s Olive View Medical Center since 1985. And he frequently teaches graduate students, interns, and residents.
He also acts as a primary investigator for clinical trials, testing new medicines for cutaneous conditions such as psoriasis and atopic dermatitis, and travels nationally to give lectures to other dermatologists concerning the treatment of skin conditions. He has served as an expert witness in numerous civil litigation, medical malpractice, and worker’s compensation claims, having been a certified Qualified Medical Examiner, Agreed Medical Examiner, and Independent Medical Examiner since 1986.
Memberships
- American Academy of Dermatology
- American Board of Dermatology
- American Medical Association
- California Dermatology Society
- California Medical Association
- National Psoriasis Foundation
- National Eczema Association
Rita Lau, PA-C
Rita Lau graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Sciences in Biochemistry from the University of California, Los Angeles. She received her Master of Science in Health Sciences and her Physician Assistant certification from George Washington University. She has been working within the medical community for over 10 years and has been an invaluable addition to our practice since her graduation in 2005.
Certifications & Memberships
- California Physician Assistant License
- Physician Assistant Certified through National Commission
- ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) / BLS (Basic Life Support)
Nusha Bashardoust, PA-C
Nusha Bashardoust has been a passionate and fervent provider in the medical field since 2014. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Promotion Disease Prevention Studies from the University of Southern California before receiving her Master of Physician Assistant Practice also from the USC Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California. She began her career in medicine working in the emergency departments of Valley Presbyterian Hospital and Sherman Oaks Hospital. Following her time in the emergency department, she served as a PA-C for Exer Urgent Care for several years before joining our team in 2019. Our patients have been thrilled with her professionalism and dedicated patient care since joining our practice.
Certifications & Memberships
- California Physician Assistant License
- Physician Assistant Certified through National Commission
- ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) / BLS (Basic Life Support)
- PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support)
- Epic/Next Dimension Injector Training Program Certification
Aileen Castillo, NP
Aileen Castillo has been providing high quality medical care to Southern California residents for almost twenty years. She attended the University of California, Los Angeles where she attained her Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing in 1996 as well as her Masters of Science degree in Nursing in 2000. She has worked for both the UCLA Medical Center Oncology Unit as well as the Cedars Sinai Comprehensive Cancer Center where she provided outpatient treatment and therapeutic management for oncology patients beginning in 1996. Following her time in oncology, Aileen transitioned to Primary Care in 2000 where she worked for over fifteen years before joining our team.
Certifications & Memberships
- Board certified by the American Nurses Credentialing Center
- BLS (Basic Life Support) / ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support)
