Welcome to the Santa Monica OBGYN practice of Dr. Tristan Emily Bickman. Dr. Bickman. As a trusted OBGYN in Santa Monica, she has served the local community for over 18 years and specializes in all aspects of obstetrics and gynecological care. From early womanhood through pregnancy, menopause and beyond, Dr. Bickman and her team are committed to providing every patient with the best care.

Dr. Bickman is committed to making a difference in the lives of her patients. Her goal is to provide compassionate, comprehensive care with state-of-the-art diagnostics and treatments. She believes that her patients deserve personalized care, and she wants her patients to feel like they can ask her any question, or call anytime they have a problem or concern.

Dr. Tristan Bickman provides a full range of obstetric and gynecologic services for women of all ages. She provides general consultations, annual gynecological exams, ultrasounds, pre and post natal care, and treatment for issues relating to pelvic pain, infertility, menopause, and osteoporosis.

A mother of five herself, Dr. Bickman has a special interest in obstetrics and loves to deliver babies. In fact, Dr. Bickman had a C-Section, and a subsequent 4 VBAC's. Additionally, Dr. Bickman has struggled with infertility, so is able to relate to her patients on a very personal level.  She specializes in high-risk pregnancies, and strives to help women have the birth experience they desire. Unlike many group OBGYN practices, Dr. Bickman delivers all her patients’ babies herself. Her patients never have to worry who will be with them in the delivery room. This practice brings a warm, personal touch to one of the most important moments in your and your baby’s life.

Dr. Bickman is a board certified OBGYN with hospital affiliations at both St. John’s Health Center and UCLA Medical Center. Dr. Bickman was born and raised in Los Angeles, attending Westlake School for Girls for high school, UC Berkeley and UCLA undergraduate and the USC school of Medicine. Dr. Bickman did her residency at Cedars Sinai Medical Center.

Nicolai Foong, M.D.

Nicolai Foong, M.D., is a highly trained obstetrics and gynecology (OB/GYN) specialist at his private practice in Alhambra and Arcadia, California. He and his team offer the full scope of women’s health services for women and girls ages 18 and older. 

They take a conservative, science- and evidence-based approach to care. Dr. Foong offers prenatal evaluations, labor and delivery, gynecological services, birth control, infertility treatments, menopause symptom relief, and medical weight reduction. 

Additional offerings include treatment for hormone imbalance and menstrual irregularities, sexually transmitted disease (STD) testing and treatment, first trimester medical and surgical abortions, and minimally invasive gynecological surgeries. 

The office of Nicolai Foong, M.D., includes a multilingual physician and multi-ethnic staff. Dr. Foong is fluent in Mandarin, Taiwanese, Cantonese, Indonesian, Malay, English, and Spanish. The team offers same-day walk-in appointments, and Dr. Foong gives obstetrics patients access to his personal cell phone a month before their due date in case of an emergency.

After office hours, all patients can contact him through his exchange. Patients receive a return phone call within 5 minutes.

Dr. Foong and his staff offer exceptional patient care for women in a comfortable environment. They welcome patients to the practice and look forward to caring for them. 

Call the office of Nicolai Foong, M.D., to schedule an appointment or book one online today.

Dr. Rastegar was born at St. John’s Hospital and grew up in Santa Monica, California. She attended local schools for elementary, middle and high school. Dr. Rastegar performed piano competitively and received the highest honor within the State of California, achieving membership into the prestigious Young Artists’ Guild.

However, Dr. Rastegar knew from a young age that her calling lay in medicine. She therefore chose to pursue a premed education at Stanford University, where upon acceptance, she was awarded the prestigious Presidents’ Scholar Grant for intellectual studies. Dr. Rastegar’s interest in women’s health could be evidenced as early as a prize-winning study of the effect of birth control pills on women’s health.

Following college, Dr. Rastegar spent two years at UCSF, involved in clinical researchon pulmonary disease. She then attended Case Western School of Medicine, in Cleveland, Ohio, where she did her clinical rotations at the world-renowned Cleveland Clinic. While in medical school, Dr. Rastegar received an award for her community outreach project on fish consumption in pregnancy. It was during medical school that Dr. Rastegar’s passion for women’s health led her to the field of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Dr. Rastegar then returned home to Los Angeles and completed a residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. She feels fortunate to be able to provide comprehensive care to women, ranging from normal pregnancy and preventative gynecologic care to the care of high-risk pregnancies, multiple gestations, individualized birth experiences, post-partum care, infertility, uterine, fibroids and polyps, abnormal pap smears, birth control counseling, painful periods, vaginal infections, ovarian cysts and more. Her rigorous training has also prepared her to handle a multitude of obstetrical and surgical emergencies. Dr. Rastegar cares for each patient as a unique individual, taking the time to listen and formulate personalized treatment plans.

She is accepting new patients.

Dr. Lawrence Bruksch achieved his undergraduate degree in Biology at Northwestern University and his medical degree at the University of Illinois, where he graduated at the top of his class and with multiple honors, including selection to the exclusive Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society, one of only two OB/GYN physicians in Santa Monica so recognized. Dr. Bruksch founded Plaza Towers Obstetrics & Gynecology, which was the busiest OB/GYN practice at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center from 1982-2002 and has been the busiest practice at St. John's Health Center from 2002-2012. Dr. Bruksch has performed the majority of gynecologic surgeries for the practice over that time, gaining a wealth of experience in all facets of surgery.

His special interests are urogynecologic surgeries, pelvic reconstruction and multiple and high risk pregnancies. He has been voted "Super Doctor of Los Angeles" by his peers, "Patients' Choice" by his patients and recently received a commendation from St. John's Health Center for "Outstanding Patient Satisfaction".

Dr. Renee Cotter is a board-certified gynecologist who specializes in a broad range of laparoscopic procedures, as well as the MonaLisa Touch® and SmartLipo Triplex® techniques. At her office in West Hills, California, she also offers:

• Botox®
• Dermal fillers
• Pelvic organ prolapse treatment
• Urinary incontinence treatment
• Contraception
• Hormone replacement therapy

In addition to West Hills, Dr. Cotter serves residents throughout the San Fernando Valley offering the highest level of gynecological care possible. By focusing on such treatment options as SmartLipo Triplex and MonaLisa Touch, Dr. Cotter is able to provide the very latest in technological advancements.

With over 26 years to her credit, Dr. Cotter opened her medical practice in 1991. She graduated from Saint Louis University School of Medicine in 1987 with her medical degree. She then went on to complete both her internship and her residency at White Memorial Hospital in Los Angeles, California. When she first opened her practice, she offered obstetric services as well. She closed that part of her practice so she could focus more completely on the minimally invasive laparoscopic, MonaLisa Touch and SmartLipo Triplex procedures.

OB/GYN Dr. Maryam Ardalan of Women Elite Care, Inc. in Valencia, California, chose her life-long career path when she was only thirteen years old. Her passion for helping heal members of her community made her pursue medical training. She attended the West Azerbaijan University of Medical Sciences in Iran. During her medical externship, she began to love the field of Obstetrics and Gynecology. She was fascinated by how educating and treating women would help them live long and healthy lives.

Once she finished her externship, Dr. Ardalan completed four years of residency training as an OB/GYN. She graduated with honors and began working with diagnosing and treating infertile couples. Throughout the years she has participated in multiple research projects involving infertility.

Following completion of residency training in Iran, Dr. Ardalan began work in the rural areas of Northwestern Iran. She later had the opportunity to participate in an OB/GYN clinical rotation in Vienna, Austria for a year.

After finishing her rotation in Austria, she immigrated to the United States with her family. Her love and dedication to Obstetrics and Gynecology gave her the drive to successfully complete the Medical Board examinations and re-enter four years of residency at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center. Upon completion, she started a position at the University of San Francisco as an assistant professor in the department of OB/GYN for two years where she was tasked with instructing medical students and residents. Dr. Ardalan moved to Valencia, California, shortly after and has been working in the area since 2009.

Dr. Ardalan’s mission is to provide quality medical care in a professional, supportive, and loving environment.

She is a member of numerous medical societies including AMA (American Medical Association), ACOG (American Academy of Obstetrics and Gynecology), and AAGL (American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists).

At Valencia Center for Women’s Health, Dr. Navid Navizadeh is a leading provider of women’s health services including obstetrics and gynecology. Patients throughout the Valencia, California area, can receive services such as fetal testing, family planning, minimally invasive procedures, genetic counseling, gynecological cancers screening, laparoscopic surgery, 4D/3D ultrasounds, hysteroscopy, and pelvic reconstruction as well as care for infertility, menopause, urinary incontinence, and osteoporosis.

Dr. Navizadeh is the founder and medical director of Valencia Center for Women’s Health. He received his undergraduate degree in genetics and molecular biology at the University of California. Dr. Navizadeh completed a comprehensive research fellowship in molecular and cell biology at the University of California at San Francisco (UCSF). He further expanded his research experience at the University of Southern California’s School of Medicine, where he obtained his medical degree.

At the USC School of Medicine, Dr. Navizadeh had the chance to work on innovative research projects in the fields of obstetrics, gynecology, endocrinology, infertility, and ultrasound imaging. He investigated the effects of seizure disorders and the treatment programs in pregnancy. Dr. Navizadeh was awarded the Pacific Coast Fertility Society’s award in Estrogen research.

Dr. Navizadeh completed an internship in Obstetrics at the Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas, Texas. He continued his residency at Mount Sinai-Maimonides Medical Center in New York. In obstetrics, his group’s work in ultrasonography to predicate preterm labor was published and received several awards. In the area of infertility and endocrinology, Dr. Navizadeh's works contributed to the understanding of the effects of an embryo’s size and quality in the process of in-vitro fertilization (IVF). Dr. Navizadeh completed the prestigious Galloway fellowship at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City. There, he had the opportunity to advance his surgical skills in complex gynecological operations in addition to learning the latest laparoscopic and endoscope techniques.

Dr. Navizadeh has also expanded his interest to urogynecology and pelvic surgery. In southern California, he pioneered the use of the new Transopturator Sling procedure for treating female urinary incontinence.

Valencia Center for Women’s Health and Dr. Navizadeh welcome all new patients to the practice and can work with most forms of medical insurance.

At Valencia Center for Women’s Health, Dr. Michelle Uaje is a leading provider of obstetrics and gynecological medicine for women throughout Santa Clarita Valley area. At the Valencia, California location patients can receive services such as genetic counseling, gynecological cancers screening, fetal testing, family planning, 4D/3D ultrasounds, laparoscopic surgery, minimally invasive procedures, hysteroscopy, and pelvic reconstruction as well as care for urinary incontinence, infertility, menopause, and osteoporosis.

Dr. Uaje obtained her medical degree from the University of California at Irvine, and she completed her residency in obstetrics and gynecology at Kaiser Permanente in Santa Clara, during which she served as chief resident. Dr. Uaje is a concerned and capable OB/GYN, who serves the community and provides the utmost care to each person. She is certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology and holds memberships in the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists. Dr. Uaje received awards from Kaiser Permanente and the University of California at Irvine for her mentorship efforts. She has also served as an Associate Physician at the Southern California Permanente Medical Group.

Dr. Uaje is devoted to ensuring that patients’ health continues to improve and maintain optimal states. She is also passionate about developing long-lasting relationships with each and every one of her patients. Dr. Uaje works to take her time with patients so she can fully understand their symptoms and give accurate diagnoses to ensure the ongoing health of all her patients. Patients can visit Dr. Uaje for a wide array of reasons including pregnancy, breast cancer screening, fibroids, pap smears, and abdominal pain.

Valencia Center for Women’s Health and Dr. Uaje welcome all new patients to the practice, where most major forms of insurance are accepted.

Dumrong Tangchitnob, MD is an OB/GYN and cosmetic specialist at Tangchitnob MD in West Covina, California, who has been improving women’s health for more than 30 years. Specializing in minimally invasive gynecologic and robotic surgery, he is a dedicated practitioner aimed at providing excellent care to women using the most advanced treatment options available.

Dr. Tangchitnob received his medical degree from Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok, Thailand. He remained in Bangkok to complete his internship at Bhumibol Adulyadej Hospital. He then traveled to the United States to complete his pediatric and OB/GYN residency and neonatology fellowship at Jersey City Medical Center in Jersey City, New Jersey.

He is a board-certified OB/GYN and is a fellow of the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery. Dr. Tangchitnob is also very involved in the Citrus Valley Health Foundation, serving on their board of trustees.

To better serve his diverse community, Dr. Tangchitnob speaks a number of languages including Thai, Chinese, and Spanish.

Dr. Tangchitnob combines warmth and compassion with modern medicine to improve both comfort and care for his patients.

Dr. Tangchitnob is married with two grown children. He and his son, Dr. Edward Tangchitnob, work together at Tangchitnob MD, while his daughter is an attending physician specializing in geriatrics at Kaiser Permanente.

Edward Tangchitnob, MD, MBA, FACOG, FACS is a robotic surgeon and regenerative medicine physician specializing in minimally invasive and holistic treatments for chronic diseases associated with aging. Dr. Tangchitnob’s private practice is located in West Covina, CA.

Dr. Tangchitnob performs robotic procedures for women to help treat abnormal uterine bleeding, pelvic pain, infertility, and urogynecological symptoms that occur after childbirth. After graduating from his robotic surgery and advanced endoscopic fellowship at Scripps Clinic in San Diego, CA he was recruited by Emanate Health to serve as the medical director for the developing Minimally Invasive Gynecology Surgery (MIGS) division.

In 2013, he helped secure the Center of Excellence in Minimally Invasive Gynecology (COEMIG) designation for Emanate Health. In 2016, he later led the Center of Excellence in Robotic Surgery (COERS) designation for general surgery, oncology and urology. He has served as a consultant and board advisor for several pharmaceutical and biomedical companies including Abbvie, Allergan Medtronic, Smith and Nephew, and Cooper Surgical. In 2017 he founded Timeless Health MD which focuses on holistic treatments for aging such as bioidentical hormone replacement therapy, intimacy procedures, and aesthetics medicine.

In 2021 he became one of the first gynecologic surgeons nationwide to become certified in the surgical subspecialty of Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery (MIGS) by the American Board of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

Dr. Tangchitnob earned his medical degree at Tufts University in 2008 after graduating with a B.S. in electrical and biomedical engineering at Tufts University in 2004. He served as the Executive Chief Resident during his OB/GYN residency at Cedars Sinai Medical Center. He is an active member of the American College of Surgeons (FACS) and the American Association of Gynecological Laparoscopists (AAGL). He works closely with hospital executives to build surgical and medical programs and holds an MBA from the USC Marshall School of Business.

Dr. Alija Ali offers a full range of rejuvenating services at Alija Aesthetics, Weight Loss & Anti-Aging in Whittier, California. Whether Dr. Ali’s patients want to diminish wrinkles, lose weight, begin hormone replacement therapy, consider a Vampire procedure, or regain sexual vitality, they can count on his expertise to guide their decisions and rely on his reputation for performing procedures that exceed expectations.

Dr. Ali received his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree from Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine. He completed his internship at USC and residency at UCLA and the Kaiser Foundation. He’s a member of the American Osteopathic Association and currently an internist affiliated with Whittier Hospital Medical Center, in Whittier, California.

For more than 20 years, his practice has been dedicated to treating the whole person and promoting wellness and self-confidence. By combining medical training as an internist, with specialization in weight loss and anti-aging, Dr. Ali hopes to help each patient achieve their desired appearance, maintain a healthy body, and to realize their dream of a long vibrant life.

Dr. Francine Ito, MD, FACOG, is a top-ranked  gynecologist providing compassionate, skilled care for patients in Torrance, CA and the South Bay area. As a leading Dr. Ito has extensive experience in helping women of all ages get the most appropriate care for their needs, offering an array of treatment options including HPV management, minimally-invasive surgery, fibroids treatment and birth control counseling, menopause counselling as well as annual well-woman exams and confidential STD testing.

After earning her bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Scripps College and her medical degree at the University of California, Irvine College of Medicine, Dr. Ito completed a rotating internship and a residency in obstetrics and gynecology at Kaiser Permanente Hospital, where she was awarded the Emil Holstrom Memorial Award. Board certified in obstetrics and gynecology and a fellow of the American College of stetrics and Gynecology, Dr. Ito's special interests include minimally-invasive laparoscopic surgery and robot-assisted gynecologic surgery, diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis, treatment of perimenopausal and menopausal patients.

Dr. Ito is fluent in both English and Japanese, and she welcomes the opportunity to provide state-of-the-art care for new patients as well as existing patients. The practice accepts most PPO insurance and Medicare.

As a gynecologist and educator, I believe that my patients deserve to be heard and to understand their conditions and treatment options in a safe and respectful environment. Health care is a collaboration between the patient and the provider that takes into account not only physical but also emotional and social needs. Everyone is unique and should be treated as such. I am committed to providing that personal and individualized care to my patients.

As a physician, I believe that patients should be an equal partner in making decisions regarding their healthcare. That decision making should start with providing a comprehensive explanation of the condition, management options and ending with collaborative treatment solutions.

Dr. Sepideh Zahedy-Kapusta of Women & Family Clinic in La Habra, California, has a passion for aesthetics, educating patients, and giving every individual the highest standard of care. Dr. Zahedy specializes in family medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, and med spa treatments for patients of all ages wanting to look and feel their best from the inside out. She combines her medical knowledge with an artistic eye for cosmetic precision to offer patients an array of first-rate health care and in-office med spa procedures.

Dr. Zahedy began her medical career in Germany where she graduated from Justus-Liebig University Giessen medical school. From there she continued her specialty studies in a three-year OB/GYN program at Heppenheim, Germany. Upon completion, Dr. Zahedy moved to Pennsylvania for an internship at Geisinger Health System, and she completed her residency program at Danbury Hospital in Connecticut.

In private practice for over 20 years, Dr. Zahedy treats women of all ages at her La Habra office, and educates patients regarding many aspects of gynecology and obstetrics. She offers a wide range of gynecological testing and in-office procedures with both a medical and holistic approach.

Dr. Zahedy specializes in normal and high-risk pregnancies and individualized birth experiences. She believes that having a child is one of the most important and exciting moments in a woman’s life and that each pregnancy and birth is as unique as the individual mother and baby.

Dr. Zahedy is board certified in obstetrics and gynecology, with credentials in aesthetics, and pursues additional education and training for a variety of cosmetic procedures. She is a member of the Association of American Physicians and is fluent in English, German, Spanish, and Farsi.

Karie McMurray MD, FACOG, is a board-certified OB-GYN helping patients in her office at Conejo Women’s Medical Center, located in Thousand Oaks, California in the Conejo Valley area near Westlake Village. She’s devoted to serving all the health care needs of women in a warm and caring environment, including bioidentical hormone therapy, osteoporosis, polycystic ovarian syndrome, incontinence, birth control, body contouring, and many other gynecologic needs.

Dr. McMurray has been involved in health care for over 25 years. She graduated from USC School of Medicine, received a master’s degree in nursing from UCLA, and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Utah. Dr. McMurray is trained in general obstetrics and gynecology, family practice, and certified in da Vinci® minimally invasive robotic surgery. She is certified in MonaLisa Touch and SculpSure laser therapy. For more than 20 years of experience prescribing bio-identical hormones, she is a specialist in the hormonal needs of patients from adolescence through menopause.

She and her husband Dr. Kyle Himsl, live in Westlake Village with their two children.