Meet our Doctors | Best Cancer Doctors Los Angeles & Beverly Hills

With a broad range of specialties and backgrounds, our handpicked team of specialists are internationally recognized leaders in cancer diagnosis and treatment. We work together to provide the highest level of care. Our clinic offers a healing and supportive environment, where you will find a balanced and thorough scope of cancer diagnostics and treatment. The Beverly Hills Cancer Center in Los Angeles is proud to provide you with a team of among the best cancer doctors available worldwide.

Top Beverly Hills Cancer Center

The keystone of our center is our scope of practice. By combining critical elements of cancer care and treatment under one roof, we bring convenience and speed to your treatment. We have selected each of our doctors according to this doctrine. At the Beverly Hills Cancer Center, we have all the necessary medical disciplines to cater to each stage of your treatment. In addition to a multidisciplinary staff, we have chosen only the very best from each discipline. Each of our doctors has earned awards and recognition for excellence in their field. Some of their individual accomplishments include:

One of “America’s Top Breast Cancer Doctors” named by Redbook
Named among the top 1% of doctors in the country by U.S. News Media Group
Significant contributions to melanoma research and treatment that has led to substantial breakthroughs, such as the discovery of groundbreaking drugs
Selection as Lead Investigator for a national, multi-institutional study of the
GliaSite Radiotherapy System, a device used in the treatment of malignant brain tumors
Board-certified doctors in their specialties

Meet Our World Class Doctors

Oncologists/Hematologists

Dr. Eli Gabayan, MD
Dr. Linnea I. Chap, MD
Dr. David Berz, MD, PhD, MPH
Dr. Michael Castro, MD
Elliot Epner, MD PhD
Dr Andrew Duy Pham, MD

Radiation oncologists

Ari Gabayan, MD
Armand Bouzagloud, MD, FACR

Radiologists

Kristin Dittmar, MD
Andrew Thierry, MD

Oncologists and Hematologists

Eli Gabayan, MD (Afshin Eli Gabayan)

Hematology and Oncology
Medical Director, Beverly Hills Cancer Center
Assistant Clinical Professor, UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine

Dedicated to providing the most effective therapies to his patients, Los Angeles oncologist Dr. A. Eli Gabayan (Afshin Eli Gabayan) continues to be engaged in multiple cancer research studies and clinical trials. His dedication to seeking newer, better treatments for cancer has continued throughout a career that began at the prestigious University of Southern California (USC) School of Medicine. He is an Assistant Clinical Professor at the UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine.

Dr. Gabayan completed his internship and residency at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where he also served as Chief Resident. He received his Oncology and Hematology training at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, where he remained as an attending physician in private practice with expertise in the areas of gastrointestinal, lung, breast cancers and multiple myeloma. Dr. Eli Gabayan tirelessly strives to deliver the best and most current treatments medical science can offer to his patients.

This passion for knowledge and education led to his post as an assistant clinical professor at the esteemed David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. Deeply committed to the community, Dr. Gabayan maintains strong local ties through his frequent lectures on a wide variety of oncology and hematology topics. He is regarded as a top Los Angeles hematologist.

Researcher

At the heart of Dr. Gabayan’s practice is a passionate advocacy for the advancement of medical research for all cancer patients, coupled with a vigilant dedication to making the latest therapy and treatment options available to his patients. Known not only as one of the best medical hematologists and oncologists Los Angeles has to offer, he has a reputation as being among the best in the world. Dr. Gabayan believes that knowledge is power, and communication is essential to excellent patient care. As the Chief of Medical Oncology at the Beverly Hills Cancer Center, Dr. A. Eli Gabayan has made it a personal goal to deliver compassionate, state-of-the-art care in a warm, healing environment.

Linnea I. Chap, MD, Director of Breast Cancer and Women’s Oncology

Hematology, Oncology, Women’s Oncology
Clinical Associate Professor, UCLA School of Medicine

Linnea Chap, MD, is a highly respected specialist in breast cancer and gynecologic malignancies and is annually listed as one of “America’s Top Doctors for Cancer.” She received her B.S. in Chemistry from the University of Illinois and graduated Summa Cum Laude with High Honors. She subsequently received her medical degree from the University of Chicago, Pritzker School of Medicine.

Dr. Chap completed a residency in internal medicine at Northwestern Memorial Hospital and fellowships in both hematology and oncology at the UCLA Medical Center. After her fellowship, she joined the UCLA faculty, where she was promoted to Associate Professor of Medicine and was the co-director of the UCLA/Revlon Multidisciplinary Breast Clinic.

Researcher and author

Top Los Angeles hematologist Dr. Chap has numerous publications to her credit in highly regarded peer-reviewed journals. She has been a leader in the treatment and research of breast and gynecological malignancies. She has led several breast and ovarian cancer treatment protocols, including the pioneering use of novel biologic agents such as Herceptin and Avastin.

Awards and honors

As among the best medical oncologists and hematologists Los Angeles offers, Dr. Chap has received several prestigious awards throughout her career. In 2001, she was named one of “America’s Top Breast Cancer Doctors” by Redbook, a national women’s magazine.

Dr. Chap is listed as one of “America’s Top Doctors for Cancer” every year. Recognized for her teaching and speaking skills, she is frequently called upon to relate the most recent advances in breast cancer treatment. In addition to her active involvement with clinical trials and research, she is well-versed in the areas of risk reduction and genetic testing.

U.S. News Media Group recently announced “U.S. News Top Doctors.” A highly respected specialist in breast cancer and gynecologic malignancies, Dr. Linnea Chap is listed in this prestigious directory and considered among the top 1% of doctors in the country. Dr. Chap was also listed in Los Angeles Magazine for over a decade, as a Top Doctor in Los Angeles. She has also been selected to Southern California Super Doctors annually since 2007, as among the best oncologists Los Angeles has to offer.

Read a profile of Dr. Chap on TalkAboutHealth.com.

David Berz, MD, PhD, MPH

Oncology and Hematology
Assistant Professor, Department of Cellular Therapeutics

David Berz, MD, PhD, MPH, is triple board-certified, with specialties in Internal Medicine, Hematology, and Oncology. His areas of specialization include lung malignancies, melanoma, cancer immune-therapy, and personalized oncology therapeutics, and he is a national thought leader in these areas.

Researcher and author

Dr. Berz has key oncology publications in major journals across the United States and Europe and continues to lead many of the latest research and investigational trials. He also previously served as Assistant Professor and scientist at the City of Hope, where he ran a thriving oncology research laboratory.

Background and Education

Born and raised in Germany, Dr. Berz earned his B.S. in Chemistry from Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Universität, Frankfurt, and his M.D./Ph.D. from the Humboldt University, Berlin. He completed his internship and residency in Internal Medicine at Yale-affiliated Norwalk Hospital in Connecticut and his fellowship in Hematology and Oncology at Brown University. He is a member of the Melanoma Research Society, the American Society of Clinical Oncology, and the American Society of Hematology.

He is fluent in Spanish, German, French, Russian, and Hebrew. As a top Los Angeles cancer doctor, he always strives to meet his patients’ needs with compassion and respect. At the Beverly Hills Cancer Center, Dr. Berz is pleased to be able to offer treatment regimens customized to each person’s tumor biology on a molecular level, with access to an array of the latest and highly sought clinical trials. Dr. Berz does not just treat a condition, but he treats the whole person.

Dr. Michael Castro, MD

Neuro-oncologist
Medical hematology
Internal medicine

Dr. Castro is a neuro-oncologist and medical oncologist specializing in molecular oncology, precision medicine, and immunotherapy of cancer.

Clinical research and molecular profiling

He has extensive experience in direct patient care, clinical research, program development, and is an industry resource for molecular profiling expertise. His key focus is to develop a comprehensive molecular diagnosis to determine mechanism-based insights that lead to deactivating the malignant phenotype and overcoming treatment resistance. The goal is to develop an engineering-level understanding of individual patients’ cancer pathogenesis to inform what pathways are operative and must be taken down to achieve treatment success.

“Often the differences between two cancers from the same site are more important than their similarities. The goal in tailoring treatment for each patient is to exploit these differences by attacking vulnerabilities that are unique to the patient’s disease, even though they may be uncommon or rare in the population of an otherwise familiar disease.”

Education and certifications

Dr. Castro is board-certified in neuro-oncology by UCNS, and internal medicine and medical oncology by ABIM. He completed a fellowship at Mt. Sinai Medical Center with James F. Holland. Since then, Dr. Castro has taken additional post-graduate training at MD Anderson. He completed an internal medicine residency at Mount Sinai Morningside campus. He did premedical work at Brandeis and Harvard University before attaining his MD at Columbia University in New York. Dr. Castro obtained a BA in English & American literature at Brandeis University and graduated summa cum laude.

Clinical practice, administration, and academic background

Dr. Castro has worked in both hospital-based and private practice settings for 30 years.

He has held several administrative positions, including medical director of an ambulatory cancer center, associate director of clinical research, oncology division chief, program director of familial cancer genetics program, and participated in IRB scientific and cancer committees. He was an associate clinical professor of medicine at the University of Vermont.

Awards, recognitions, publications, and affiliations

Dr. Castro is recognized as one of the Top Doctors in America by US News and World Report 2012. He has been a recipient of the Extra Mile Award from the To Life Breast Cancer Support Group. He has published many abstracts, articles, and letters. He is a member of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Society of Neuro-oncology (SNO), The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), and the Society for the Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC).

Elliot Epner, MD, PhD

Hematology and Oncology

Dr. Epner has many years of experience as a Medical Oncologist with a primary focus in Lymphoma, Leukemia, and Multiple Myeloma.

Education and background

Dr. Epner graduated Magna Cum Laude with honors in Biology from Wesleyan University. He received both his MD and PhD in Genetics from Columbia University in New York. After completing his residency in Internal Medicine at the University of California, Irvine, he spent 11 years in Seattle where he completed his fellowship at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer, University of Washington and continued his research on epigenetics when he joined the faculty.

He has published in prestigious journals such as Science, Molecular Cell, PNAS, Blood, Nature Genetics, JCO, and has authored multiple abstracts at national meetings, and lectured worldwide.

Dr. Epner founded his own epigenetics company and has developed his own version of epigenetic therapy used for the treatment of hematologic and other malignancies.

Schedule A Consultation

Radiation Oncologists

Dr. Ari Gabayan, MD (Arash “Ari” Gabayan)

Radiation Oncology
Clinical Instructor, UCLA School of Medicine

An advocate for compassionate care who passionately pursues cutting edge research, Dr. Ari Gabayan offers his patients extensive medical knowledge. He attended the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) as a Neuroscience major. After receiving several prestigious awards and academic scholarships as an undergraduate, including the University of California Regents Scholarship, Dr. Gabayan graduated Summa Cum Laude and College Honors, with a B.S. in Neuroscience. He is a board-certified Los Angeles radiation oncologist.

Education and background

Dr. Gabayan went on to pursue his medical degree from the UCLA renowned David Geffen School of Medicine. He continued his medical training with a medical internship at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), and a residency at the University of Arizona Department of Radiation Oncology, where he held the esteemed position of Chief Resident.

Clinical research

Recognition of Dr. Ari Gabayan’s pursuit and achievement of excellence lead to his selection as Lead Investigator for a national multi-institutional study of the GliaSite Radiotherapy System, a device used in the treatment of malignant brain tumors. Dr. Gabayan’s research studies earned him the prominent Roentgen Research Award.

Chief of Radiation Oncology at Beverly Hills Cancer Center

Dr. Gabayan is among the best radiation oncologists working today and is the Chief of Radiation Oncology and Imaging at the Beverly Hills Cancer Center in Los Angeles. Dr. Ari Gabayan strives to provide his patients with the latest treatment technologies in a soothing and relaxing environment. Dr. Gabayan dedicates himself to the highest standards in all aspects of his career, from the care and treatment of patients to the pursuit of cutting-edge research.

Armand Bouzagloud, MD, FACR

Radiation oncologist
Fellow of the American College of Radiology
Assistant Clinical Professor of Radiation Oncology, LAC/USC Medical Center

Dr. Armand Bouzaglou is a board-certified radiation oncologist. He is a Fellow of the American College of Radiology and specializes in brain and prostate tumors as well as in high dose rate implants. He participates in NCI-sponsored protocols with RTOG, NSABP, and SWOG. He has published numerous articles in peer-reviewed journals and textbooks.

Education and background

Dr. Armand Bouzaglou is a graduate of the University of Illinois, Chicago campus. He completed his internship in Internal Medicine in 1974 and followed this with a residency in radiation oncology. He spent an additional year as Chief Resident in Radiation Oncology at LAC-USC Medical School. Dr. Bouzaglou also completed a Fellowship at the Institut Gustave Roussy (Villejuif) in France on a study of the Paris System of Dosimetry in Interstitial Implants. Additionally, he participated in a study of Permanent Implants in Brain Tumors at the Hospital St. Anne in Paris.

Presently he is a Fellow of the American College of Radiology and Assistant Clinical Professor of Radiation Oncology at LAC/USC Medical Center. He also serves on the Board of Directors for CHW, Southern California.

Researcher

Dr. Bouzaglou has specialized in brain and prostate tumors for the past 15 years. In his close association with Dr. Peter Dyck, they have successfully treated 250 brain lesions with Iridium-192 and demonstrated a doubling in survival rates in patients with Glioblastoma Multiforme.

Dr. Bouzaglou has participated with the National Cancer Institute in research with SWOG, RTOG, and NSABP over the last 15 years. He served as the initial Principal Investigator in the NCI sponsored Community Oncology Program (CCOP).

Radiologists

A radiologist specializes in diagnosing disease using the latest medical technology available while ensuring patient safety. A radiologist is a medical doctor who has graduated from an accredited medical school. Our radiologists have passed the stringent licensing examinations for their fields and have completed at least four years of residency training. They have specialized training in using the latest imaging technology to diagnose disease.

World-class medical imaging technology

At our state-of-the-art facility, we not only employ arguably the best radiologists Los Angeles has to offer but have also equipped them with the most advanced technology available. You can expect the best in medical imaging and diagnostic technology.

Our radiologists are highly trained in interpreting the results from high tech equipment such as positron emission tomography (PET scans), computed tomography (CAT scans) fusion imagery, and ultrasound. Modern imaging has progressed at an exponential rate, and our radiologists reflect the best training from the most accredited institutions in the country.

Qualifications

Our radiologists have completed a four-year residency in fields that are critical to patient safety and results. These include:

Radiation Safety
Effects of Radiation on the Human Body
Radiation Protection
Interpretation of Imaging Examinations

At the Beverly Hill Cancer Center, we strive to integrate our high caliber radiologists into the comprehensive treatment approach for which we have become known. Attracting among the best radiologists for our Beverly Hills center has contributed to the outstanding team of health professionals that make up our cancer treatment team.

Certifications

Our Los Angeles radiologists are each board-certified by the American College of Radiology. This accreditation is challenging to obtain and ensures that the doctors who are interpreting the scan results meet demanding education and training standards. Radiologists certified by the ACR are tasked with ensuring that the equipment they use is surveyed frequently against standards of equipment performance.

At the Beverly Hills Cancer Center, we are proud to include top-level radiologists who are dedicated to providing an impeccable interpretation of imaging results. BHCC has among the best radiologists in Los Angeles and Beverly Hills as part of its comprehensive cancer treatment team.

Dr. Kristin Dittmar, MD

Medical Director of Radiology
Diagnostic Oncologic Imaging

Dr. Kristin Dittmar, MD, is an expert in diagnostic oncologic imaging and an interventional oncologist. Her career has been built on cancer research, from working at the NIH in image-guided drug delivery in squamous cell cancers, to performing over 500 image-guided thermal ablations for the treatment of locoregional and oligometastatic disease.

Education and background

Dr. Dittmar graduated from medical school from the University of South Florida, followed by a residency at the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA). Her fellowship was in Abdominal Imaging and Intervention at UCLA. She began her career at the Methodist Hospital and Research Institute in Houston, TX.

She then advanced her medical career by serving as the Section Chief of Body Interventional Radiology at the Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute. Her oncologic imaging expertise has led to becoming a member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network’s (NCCN) Imaging Panel Member from 2015 to 2019, and as an expert panelist at the NCI Radiology-Pathology Workshop as well as an Ad Hoc member of NIH study sections for RO1 grant funding. Dr. Dittmar has multiple peer-reviewed publications and is an international lecturer in her field.

Andrew Thierry, MD

Radiologist

Los Angeles radiologist, Dr. Andrew Thierry, is an expert in the use of MRI in the evaluation of orthopedic, spine, sports medicine, and oncology disorders. He practices medicine with a passion for the highest quality radiology services, interpretation, communication, and patient care. Dr. Thierry has published extensively in radiology and orthopedic literature and is a peer reviewer for several radiology journals.

Education and background

Originally hailing from Michigan on the shores of Lake Superior, Dr. Thierry moved to Los Angeles to complete a subspecialty imaging fellowship in Orthopedic and Sports Imaging with several leaders in the field of musculoskeletal imaging and orthopedic surgery. He has assisted in surgeries and conducted research with orthopedic surgeons at the world-renowned Kerlan-Jobe, Stone, and Steadman Clinics. He has read MRIs for numerous current and former professional athletes at the highest level of competition, including the NFL, NHL, NBA, MLB, and MLS.

Dr. Thierry completed a Bachelor of Arts degree at Kalamazoo College in Biology, Environmental Studies, and Spanish and spent six months studying in Ecuador. After graduating, he spent two years researching the neurodegenerative disorder Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) at the Northwestern University School of Medicine. Dr. Thierry then went on to Michigan State University for medical school and Oakwood Hospital for his residency.

Andrew Duy Pham, MD

Medical Oncologist

Dr. Pham graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of California, Riverside with a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry.

He went on to receive his medical degree from the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. Following medical school, he completed his internal medicine residency at Scripps Mercy Hospital and fellowship in Hematology/Oncology at Scripps Clinic in San Diego, California.

Dr. Pham has experience in basic science research as well as a background in Clinical Research, Genomic Testing and Precision Medicine. He has authored several publications and abstracts in the field of Malignant Hematology. He provides care to patients with a wide variety of diseases, with a primary focus on Genitourinary and Gastrointestinal Malignancies.

Image-guided procedures and minimally invasive alternatives to surgery

Although well-versed in all modalities and systems of radiology, Dr. Andrew Thierry has cultivated special interests and advanced training in orthopedic/musculoskeletal/sports medicine, MRI, spine, women’s imaging, image-guided procedures, and minimally invasive alternatives to surgery. He brings with him the knowledge from a wide variety of institutions with both community and academic experience. He helps provide patients with top-quality care, bringing them faster screening results, leading to more efficient and effective care.

Our Medical Staff

Top Beverly Hills Cancer Center

Meet Our World Class Doctors

Oncologists and Hematologists

Eli Gabayan, MD (Afshin Eli Gabayan)

Researcher

Linnea I. Chap, MD, Director of Breast Cancer and Women’s Oncology

Researcher and author

Awards and honors

David Berz, MD, PhD, MPH

Researcher and author

Background and Education

Dr. Michael Castro, MD

Clinical research and molecular profiling

Education and certifications

Clinical practice, administration, and academic background

Awards, recognitions, publications, and affiliations

Elliot Epner, MD, PhD

Education and background

Schedule A Consultation

Radiation Oncologists

Dr. Ari Gabayan, MD (Arash “Ari” Gabayan)

Education and background

Clinical research

Chief of Radiation Oncology at Beverly Hills Cancer Center

Armand Bouzagloud, MD, FACR

Education and background

Researcher

Dedicated to excellence: Dr. Bouzaglou

Radiologists

World-class medical imaging technology

Qualifications

Certifications

Dr. Kristin Dittmar, MD

Education and background

Andrew Thierry, MD

Education and background

Andrew Duy Pham, MD

Medical Oncologist

Image-guided procedures and minimally invasive alternatives to surgery

COVID-19 and Cancer Patients

What is COVID-19?

How does COVID-19 spread?

How can I protect myself?

What should I do if I have cancer?

Should I wear a mask?

What if I care for or live with a cancer patient?

What about people visiting?

How will Beverly Hills Cancer Center protect me from getting COVID-19

Will you still care for me if I get sick?

Is there care available for International Patients?

Beverly Hills Cancer Center 8900 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 200 Beverly Hills CA 90211 310-432-8900

Schedule a Consultation

Your health is important, and we welcome the opportunity to help you heal.