Dr. Ronald Strahan, M.D.
Medical Director
Dr. Ronald Strahan is a plastic surgeon in Santa Monica, California, and is affiliated with multiple hospitals in the area, including Hoag Memorial Hospital, Presbyterian, and Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center. He received his medical degree from the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine and has been in practice for more than 20 years. He is one of 92 doctors at Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian and one of 41 at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center who specialize in Plastic Surgery.
Dr. Hootan Zandifar, M.D., FACS
Dr. Hootan Zandifar is a specialist in cosmetic and reconstructive surgery of the head and neck, known for providing excellent patient outcomes. His approach is characterized by honesty, trust, and compassion, ensuring patients feel secure and satisfied with their results. Dr. Zandifar emphasizes patient education, helping individuals make informed decisions. He is skilled at achieving natural-looking results that enhance his patients’ appearance and well-being. Born in Los Angeles, Dr. Zandifar graduated from UCLA’s David Geffen School of Medicine.
He leads his practice in Beverly Hills and Santa Monica, utilizing advanced techniques for exceptional surgical care. He is double board-certified and fellowship-trained, holding certifications from the American Board of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery and the American Board of Facial Plastic Surgery
Dr. Neal Deot, M.D.
Dr. Neal Deot is a California native born and raised in the Bay Area. He earned his undergraduate degree in Neuroscience from UCLA, followed by completion of his medical degree from Tulane School of Medicine and Otolaryngology residency training at Upstate Medical University in New York. Dr. Deot then completed a prestigious facial plastics fellowship in Beverly Hills under world-renowned surgeons Dr. Paul Nassif and Dr. Babak Azizzadeh, refining his expertise in both aesthetic and reconstructive facial surgery.
With a practice philosophy rooted in safety, balance, and harmony, Dr. Deot combines meticulous surgical precision with an artist’s eye for natural beauty. He has authored peer-reviewed publications, presented at national conferences, and contributed to advancements in modern surgical techniques — all while maintaining a deeply patient-centered approach. His goal is simple: refined results through personalized care, guided by experience, artistry, and integrity.
Leigh Godfrey, R.N.
Clinical Director
Over a medical career spanning two decades, Leigh Godfrey has built a practice based on providing her patients with unparalleled aesthetic procedures and patient experience. Specializing in facial aesthetics, Leigh has mastered the art of injectables, lasers and skincare technology. She prides herself on her ability to listen to a patients’ unique concerns and suggest thoughtful treatment options that reflect her years of experience, research, and medical knowledge. Leigh began her nursing career in 1993 at Santa Monica Hospital, as a Telemetry nurse, where she learned from and trained under the most accomplished physicians in Southern California. While working in the emergency rooms, she realized the need for personal and dedicated care and moved to work with internationally-known plastic surgeons, treating their exclusive clientele with the latest procedures and the finest post-surgery recovery care. In 1999, Leigh went to private practice. Recognizing a need to educate patients on their skin and skin care options, Leigh has differentiated herself amongst her peers by taking time to explore the myriad options available based on a client’s unique and specific needs. As a result of Leigh’s expertise and conservative approach to enhance one’s own individual beauty, she has managed to build her thriving practice on word-of-mouth referrals. In addition to her patients, Leigh also teaches other practitioners about dermal injections, lasers, and their application. Moreover, Leigh’s passion in helping underserved communities has driven her to participate in numerous medical missions abroad, from the rural countryside of Ecuador to the overpopulated districts of India.
Melody Afvari, PA-C
Physician Assistant, Injection and Laser Specialist
A native of California, Melody graduated from Samuel Merritt University with a degree in Masters in Physician Assistant. During her rotations, Melody worked with some of the world's most renowned facial plastic surgeons learning facial anatomy extensively. She has been practicing medical and cosmetic dermatology for over 6 years, specializing in facial aesthetics with focus on injectables and lasers. With experience in medical dermatology, Melody also specializes in diagnosis, management, and treatment of dermatologic conditions such as precancerous and cancerous lesions of the skin. Integrating her love of dermatology with aesthetic medicine, Melody brings her clinical expertise and guidance in natural beauty to her practice. She believes in improving her patients' best features and using them to bring balance and harmony to all areas of the face and body. Melody has quickly established a reputation for her listening skills, her enthusiasm and her warmth. People feel at ease right away! She keeps her patients well-informed about each procedure, looks for creative ways to stay within budget, and teaches each person how to achieve and retain optimum results. She uses precise technique with patients, ensuring the most effective results and the utmost patient comfort. Melody's patients seek her out for her expertise, her strong attention to detail, and her honest approach.
Michelle Limo, R.N., MSN, CMT, CMLDT
National Lymphatic Educator/Researcher
Owner of the Center for Lymphatic Massage
Michelle is a Registered Nurse, Lymphatic Massage Therapist, Educator, and Researcher specializing in lymphatic health and wellness. Trusted by surgeons, physicians, and other healthcare professionals, she receives frequent referrals for her expertise in lymphatic care. Her focus is her clients' well-being, and she finds fulfillment in helping them experience relief, improved mobility, reduced pain and inflammation, and renewed hope. Michelle's clients include post-operative, prenatal, postnatal, lymphedema, lipedema, and cancer patients. Her lymphatic massage supports detoxification, immune health, and symptom relief. Many clients see her regularly for immune-boosting sessions. She is certified in Advanced Post-Operative Manual Lymphatic Drainage, Brazilian Lymphatic Massage, and Perinatal Massage, and she teaches lymphatic courses to certified
Taylor Kruger, BSN, R.N.
Born and raised in Venice, California, Taylor Kruger is a Registered Nurse with a passion for aesthetic medicine. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Arizona. She began her career in surgical nursing, gaining hands-on experience in pre-operative care, post-anesthesia recovery, and circulating in the operating room. Her time in surgery allowed her to develop technical precision and a deep understanding of facial anatomy—an essential foundation for her work in aesthetics.
Taylor has worked alongside world-renowned surgeons in Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, and Brentwood, further developing her clinical expertise and laying the foundation for her aesthetic career. This experience inspired her transition into aesthetic medicine, where she brings the same attention to detail and patient-centered care. Her approach to aesthetics is guided by a “less is more” philosophy—aiming to enhance natural beauty through subtle, individualized treatments. Taylor believes in creating personalized treatment plans that highlight each client’s unique features, helping them feel refreshed, confident, and authentically themselves.
Taylor is committed to ongoing education and consistently advances her training in the latest techniques in lasers, injectables, skincare, and more. She strives to ensure the best possible outcomes for every client; always aiming to deliver safe, natural, and effective results.
Sharada La Spisa
Founder of The Portal
Sharada integrates the power of frequency technologies with focused intention and hands-on healing to harmonize the body, mind, and soul. As a certified Cymatherapist, yoga instructor, and Reiki Master, Sharada has been a pioneer in alternative wellness since the 1990s. She founded The Simply Yoga studios in Chelsea and Soho, New York City, and led worldwide retreats in Brazil and Costa Rica.
In 2015, Sharada’s personal journey took a significant turn when she successfully used cymatherapy and intention to reverse a pre-cancerous diagnosis. Inspired by this healing experience, she created Sound In Recovery, a program dedicated to helping individuals break free from the cycle of physical and emotional pain through a blend of frequency-based technology and traditional healing modalities. Sharada is poised to expand The Portal by aligning with trusted medical partners, elevating the quality and scope of care offered to clients.