Cosmetic surgeon

If gravity has taken a toll on your youthful silhouette, worry no more; j. readers’ favorite cosmetic surgeons are here to help. From fixing cleft lips to tucking tummies, these docs have some serious skills.

UCSF’s Dr. William Hoffman runs a mixed practice, treating children with facial deformities alongside folks who simply want to be beautified. Because he’s been practicing for over 20 years, there are patients he treated in infancy who have returned to him for rhinoplasty as adults. He likes his work because he helps improve “people’s self-confidence and self-esteem,” he says.

Though he is best known for his forehead lifts, Dr. Elliott B. Lavey of Danville provides personalized care that makes all the difference. “I try to spend a lot of time with my patients,” he says. He too enjoys cosmetic surgery because it improves the quality of his patients’ lives: “People really do feel better,” Lavey says.

A transplant from New York, Atherton surgeon Dr. Jane Weston has been nipping and tucking for 23 years. Though she originally wanted to be a child psychologist, Weston was drawn to cosmetic surgery by its concreteness and creativity. The connection with her patients attracts her most of all: “It’s a wonderful little window into people’s lives,” she says.

Dr. Josh Korman in Mountain View knows the limitations of his field: “You can operate on ears, not what’s between the ears,” he says wryly. He also sees the relativity regarding cosmetic surgery: Because he always liked his nose, Korman “could never understand why anyone would ever do anything to their nose,” he jokes.

A referral-based practice enables Dr. Roland Minami in Greenbrae to devote time to Rotaplast, a volunteer medical organization providing reconstructive surgery for children in developing countries. Separate from the facial surgery he does for locals, this volunteer work is “a form of self-enrichment,” he says. “The payback is far more than what we give.”

Dr. Ron Gruber in Oakland picked up second place in the East Bay.

1st Place

San Francisco

Dr. William Hoffman

UCSF Medical Center

(415) 353-4201

East Bay

Dr. Elliott B. Lavey

Danville

(925) 820-3633

South Bay/Peninsula

Dr. Josh Korman

Korman Group

Mountain View

(650) 254-1200

http://www.kormanmd.com

Dr. Jane Weston

Atherton

(650) 363-0300

North Bay

Dr. Roland Minami

Greenbrae

(415) 461-1240

2nd Place

East Bay

Dr. Ron Gruber

East Bay Aesthetic Plastic Surgery Center

Oakland

(510) 654-9222

www.plastic-surgery-gruber.com

Day spa

Jacuzzis with views and massages for two, these are a few of our favorite things. Though it was tough, j. readers sucked it up, got pampered far and wide, and voted for their favorite day spas.

Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa has something that none of these other spas can dream of competing with: its own geothermal water supply, a mere 1,300 feet underneath the ground it sits on. This hot spring supplies the spa’s multiple pools, which range in temperature from 88 to 102 degrees. As the Fairmont’s Regional Director of Public Relations Michelle Heston says, the spring is “what sets our spa apart.”

The Claremont Resort & Spa in Berkeley affords hot tub-goers views of the Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco skyline. That, in addition to its location in the second-largest wooden structure west of the Mississippi, would be enough. But this resort is all about luxury, and offers exotic details like a Tibetan sound massage, says Director of Spa Operations Stacey Parks.

Located in the classy digs of the Huntington Hotel, Nob Hill Spa in San Francisco boasts touches like a fireplace by the indoor pool. If you’re ready to part with 300 bucks, their Ultimate Facial uses German skincare products sourced from thermal vents at the bottom of the ocean for 90 minutes of hydrating heaven. Kelly James, the spa’s public relations manager, credits its “really great local following” for the spa’s win.

In Stanford, LaBelle Day Spa has been moisturizing, waxing and resurfacing skin for the past 33 years. Open seven days a week, the spa provides a large assortment of services for clients from age 25 to 60. Says Spa Director Mila Recania, “people are busy and I think they really like that availability that we have.”

In second place are the Lafayette Park Hotel & Spa, Corte Madera’s Stellar Spa, Dimitra’s Skin Care and Medi-Spa in San Francisco and Palo Alto’s Watercourse Way Bathhouse Spa.

1st Place

San Francisco

Nob Hill Spa

(415) 474-5400

www.huntingtonhotel.com

East Bay

The Claremont Resort & Spa

Berkeley

(800) 551-7266 ext. 2

www.claremontresort.com/spa

South Bay/Peninsula

LaBelle Day Spa

Stanford

(650) 326-8522

www.labelledayspas.com

North Bay

The Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa

Sonoma

(707) 938-9000

2nd Place

San Francisco

Dimitra’s Skin Care and Medi-Spa

(415) 731-8080

www.dimitras.com

East Bay

The Lafayette Park Hotel & Spa

Lafayette

(925) 283-3700

www.lafayetteparkhotel.com

South Bay/Peninsula

Watercourse Way Bathhouse Spa

Palo Alto

(650) 462-2000

www.watercourseway.com

North Bay

Stellar Spa

Corte Madera

(415) 924-7300

www.stellarspa.com/san-francisco-day-spas.html

Dentist

For Dr. Eric Citron, having braces in middle school served not just as a tool to straighten his teeth but also as an inspiration to become a dentist. Twenty-three years since graduating from USC Dental School, Citron is a j. favorite practicing in Berkeley. “I offer friendly, traditional services,” Citron says.

With a waiting room filled with toys and a prize basket for after appointments, it’s no surprise Dr. Martin Rayman’s patients love him. He makes sure they take their teeth-cleaning lessons home with them, too: “I spend a lot of time with patients talking about how to take care of their teeth,” says the San Rafael dentist.

In San Francisco, dentists Dave Rothman and Richard Rozen tied for first place. The warm and caring staff at Dr. Rothman’s pediatric practice puts patients at ease: “Each child is treated as an individual,” said Dr. Rothman. “There is no set formula that we use.” At both practices, patients are sure to leave with better knowledge about dental hygiene.

Our readers’ favorite dentist in the South Bay is Dr. Charles Spitz, whose practice provides a warm and friendly atmosphere to make his patients feel comfortable.

In second place were Dr. Glenn Hemanes in Hayward, Dr. Tanya Manyak in San Mateo and Dr. Joe Armel in Corte Madera.

1st Place

San Francisco

Dr. David Rothman

(415) 334-1737

Dr. Richard Rozen

(415) 333-6811

East Bay

Dr. Eric Citron

Berkeley

(510) 849-1660

South Bay/Peninsula

Dr. Charles Spitz

San Mateo

(650) 342-9941

North Bay

Dr. Martin Rayman

San Rafael

(415) 459-1444

www.openbigdds.com

2nd Place

East Bay

Dr. Glenn Hemanes

Hayward

(510) 886-5400

South Bay/Peninsula

Dr. Tanya Manyak

San Mateo

(650) 342-9941

www.drtanyamanyak.com

North Bay

Dr. Joe Armel

Corte Madera

(415) 927-4000

www.finesmiles.com

Family doctor

Dr. David Goldberg is a dedicated doctor — but he’s also passionate about his “other life” as a cartoonist. Goldberg’s patients at his San Francisco office inspire his cartoons and reinforce his commitment to them: “I know their health history and families, their quirks and their needs,” he says.

Waiting for an appointment to begin is no fun, but at Dr. Herbert Goodman’s San Francisco practice, you won’t have to. “We see about 95 percent of our patients right on time,” Goodman says. Goodman also has experience on his side: He’s been practicing medicine for 40 years.

Dr. Gary Zweig in Palo Alto runs an incredibly personal practice. Inspired by his love of science, learning and people, Zweig is truly committed to doing the best job. “I spend a lot of time with my patients,” Zweig said. “I listen to them and I try my best to problem-solve in a beneficial way.”

Berkeley’s Dr. Stephen Whitgob is honored, not only by his award, but just to be a doctor. “It is an honor to be able to take care of interesting people,” Whitgob says.

Dr. Joan Pont of San Rafael says she works step by step with her patients, involving them in the process of finding out what ails them, while helping them understand the science behind their diagnosis. “My favorite part of my job is making something that is confusing to my patients more clear,” Pont says.

In second place were Berkeley’s Dr. Denise Davis and San Mateo’s Dr. Barry J. Oberstein.

1st Place

San Francisco

Dr. David Goldberg

(415) 221-2112

Dr. Herbert Goodman

(415) 921-3141

East Bay

Dr. Stephen Whitgob

Berkeley

(510) 525-7887

South Bay/Peninsula

Dr. Gary Zweig

Palo Alto

(650) 324-1250

North Bay

Dr. Joan Pont

San Rafael

(415) 482-6886

2nd Place

East Bay

Dr. Denise Davis

Berkeley

(510) 883-1046

South Bay

Dr. Barry J. Oberstein

San Mateo

(650) 340-9981

Health club

Say goodbye to lonely minutes spent on that dusty treadmill in the basement, and hello to the gleaming machines and toned fitness instructors at readers’ favorite health clubs.

At its home in Foster City, the Byer Athletic Center at the Peninsula JCC has a lot to offer, from indoor and outdoor pools to a whopping 110 group exercise classes per week. Between the onsite physical therapist, the personal trainers and the children’s programming, PJCC is truly a “family fitness center,” says Dan Burns, director of the fitness center.

With over 8,600 individual adult members, the Koret Center for Health, Fitness & Sport at the JCCSF is “just a fantastic facility,” says Marketing Director Nathaniel Bergson-Michelson. Brazilian rhythm, dance fusion, Zumba: these are just a few of the unique offerings. But if water running or aqua tai chi is more your style, you won’t be disappointed by the aquatics classes running “from dawn past dusk every day of the week,” Bergson-Michelson says.

The Osher Marin JCC in San Rafael grew from a couple trailers on some land in the ’40s to the community center it is today — which includes the winning Koret Center for Health & Fitness. “When people join here, they get a sense that it’s kind of like a family,” says Health and Fitness Director Kelli Maciel. “We try to find a niche for everyone to feel comfortable.”

Renaissance ClubSport in Walnut Creek has everything a gym-goer could want: 85,000 square feet of fitness facility, 30 personal trainers, new fangled gravity machines and a Pilates reformer studio. “It’s a great place to come and kind of get away from it all,” says Sales and Marketing Director Kevin Cabral.

In second place were the Oakland Hills Tennis Club, the Mill Valley Health Club, Club One in San Francisco and Pacific Athletic Club in Redwood City.

1st Place

San Francisco

Koret Center for Health, Fitness & Sport

JCC of San Francisco

(415) 292-1200

www.jccsf.org

East Bay

Renaissance ClubSport

Walnut Creek

(925) 938-8700

www.renaissanceclubsport.com/walnut-creek/home.do

South Bay/Peninsula

Byer Athletic Center

Peninsula JCC

Foster City

(650) 212-7522

www.pjcc.org

North Bay

Koret Center for Health & Fitness

Osher Marin JCC

San Rafael

(415) 444-8000

www.marinjcc.org

2nd Place

San Francisco

Club One

Various locations

(415) 788-1010

www.clubone.com

East Bay

Oakland Hills Tennis Club

Oakland

(510) 531-3300

www.oaklandhills.com

South Bay/Peninsula

Pacific Athletic Club

Redwood City

(650) 593-4900

www.pacclub.com

North Bay

Mill Valley Health Club & Spa

Mill Valley

(415) 380-8787

www.millvalleyhealthclub.com

Hospital

Nothing is more important than your health — and j. readers know some great hospitals that will keep you not only healthy, but happy, too (though after the bill arrives, all bets are off).

The welcoming and helpful staff members at Alta Bates Summit Medical Center make going to the hospital a relaxing experience. With two campuses in Berkeley, one in Oakland and over 1,500 doctors, Alta Bates is accessible throughout the East Bay. “Our nurses, doctors and executives really care about patient care,” says Dorothy Casey, an executive assistant at the hospital.

Consistently rated among the top Kaiser Permanente Medical Centers in Northern California by its members, Kaiser’s San Rafael branch strives to promote health and wellness throughout the Bay Area. “We consider ourselves to be a community hospital, with a strong focus on service and keeping our members and the community healthy,” says Chief Operating Officer Jill Magri.

“We deliver half of all babies born in San Francisco,” says Paula Lykins, community relations manager at California Pacific Medical Center, which has won for the fourth year in a row. Close to 7,000 employees keep the hospital running like clockwork.

Says Michael Wood, chief medical physician at Mills-Peninsula Medical Center, “It is the kind of place you want to come, whether for you or your children or a significant other” — and since he’s the one treating patients, he would know! A new expansion at its Burlingame location will allow Mills-Peninsula to treat even more patients with its award-winning care.

Also winning in the South Bay was Stanford Hospital & Clinics, known for its many centers of excellence, including oncology, transplantation, neurosciences, orthopedics and cardiac care. “People understand that Stanford hospital offers a unique depth and breadth of expertise,” said Shelley Hebert, executive director for public affairs.

Taking excellent care of their patients in second place were Kaiser Permanente Oakland Medical Center, UCSF Medical Center and Marin General Hospital in Greenbrae.

1st Place

San Francisco

California Pacific Medical Center

(415) 600-6000

www.cpmc.org

East Bay

Alta Bates Summit Medical Center

Berkeley

(510) 204-4444

www.altabatessummit.org

South Bay/Peninsula

Mills-Peninsula Medical Center

Burlingame

(650) 696-5400

www.mills-peninsula.org

Stanford Hospital & Clinics

(650) 723-4000

www.stanfordhospital.com

North Bay

Kaiser Permanente San Rafael Medical Center

San Rafael

(415) 444-2000

www.kaisersanrafael.org

2nd Place

San Francisco

UCSF Medical Center

(888) 689-8273

www.ucsfhealth.org

East Bay

Kaiser Permanente Oakland Medical Center

Oakland

(510) 251-0121

www.oaklandkaiser.org

North Bay

Marin General Hospital

Greenbrae

(415) 925-7000

maringeneral.sutterhealth.org

Pediatrician

Every parent wants the best for their children, so finding a good pediatrician is one of the most important things they’ll do. Luckily, j. readers have done the work for them.

For the third year in a row, our readers have recognized the excellent care that Dr. Arnold Blustein gives his patients at his San Leandro office. With such a happy and friendly practice, it is no wonder that Dr. Blustein is so appreciated. “We do our best to give excellent care on an individual basis,” Blustein says.

Not only does Dr. Ami Goodman run in two marathons a year, but he has also been voted favorite San Francisco pediatrician two years in a row. Running helps Goodman clear his mind so he can be the best doctor he can possibly be: “I strive to be totally present, which allows me to listen completely,” he says.

A large and lovely fish tank and multiple children’s books welcome patients into Communal Medical Group in Sunnyvale, where Dr. Douglas Kaye practices. Kaye creates an environment that is welcoming for patients and their parents. “I am a good listener,” Kaye says. “I always take parents’ concerns very seriously. I don’t believe in any stupid questions.”

In second place was Dr. Myles Abbott of Orinda.

1st Place

San Francisco

Dr. Ami Goodman

(415) 833-2200

East Bay

Dr. Arnold Blustein

San Leandro

(510) 352-2425

South Bay/Peninsula

Dr. Douglas Kaye

Sunnyvale

(408) 730-4251

2nd Place

East Bay

Dr. Myles Abbott

Orinda

(925) 254-9203

Readers Choice Awards 2008