Renowned in the fields of medical and cosmetic dermatology and cosmetic and reconstructive surgery, Dermatology & Plastic Surgery Specialists is dedicated to delivering the highest level of personal care and professional attention to patients. With our elite team of board-certified doctors and physician assistants, we ensure you receive the best possible care by listening to your concerns and addressing your individual needs. We strive to educate patients on how to protect, maintain, and enhance their skin. We continuously will improve and provide you with the best experience and outcomes possible from start to finish.
Michael J. Messina, MD
Board Certified Dermatologist
Dr. Michael Messina is a dermatologist in Palm Desert, California, and is affiliated with Loma Linda University Medical Center. He received his medical degree from Northeast Ohio Medical University and has been in practice since 2008. He also speaks multiple languages, including Spanish.
He has been taking care of patients in the Coachella Valley for many years and knows the importance of understanding what a patient desires in a dermatologist. He has been offering the complete body exam, not just a spot here or an area there. He has been taking care of all conditions involving hair, skin, and nails. If you need higher level of care, he has connections with Loma Linda University and other institutions, such as UCLA and USC.
Natalie Driessen, MD
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
Dr. Natalie Driessen is a board-certified plastic surgeon who spent six years training in an intensive and vigorous hands-on environment at Loma Linda University in plastic surgery. Through this training, she has developed a passion for her patients and their overall wellbeing. This passion has led her to specialize in cosmetic surgery, breast reconstruction, and Mohs reconstructive surgery. Along with her drive for optimum results, she brings a special compassion to the Coachella Valley communities. She offers the latest techniques in an extensive range of aesthetic and reconstructive surgery.
Charitable work is also a focus for Dr. Driessen. She had the honor to be a part of multiple medical mission trips and has dedicated herself to helping her local community.
Dr. Natalie Driessen earned her medical degree from Northeast Ohio Medical University, where her dedication shinned through, as she graduated second in her class out of 127 students. During medical school, she volunteered for Habitat for Humanity projects. She is now the current chief of plastic surgery at the Eisenhower Health Center.
Dr. Driessen tailors her services for each individual she cares for. Her goal is to create surgical results that help a patient feel their best self. Her highest priority is to truly listen and understand her patients, and their needs and expectations. Dr. Driessen wants every patient to feel confident and comfortable with their experience. She understands surgery can seem scary, whether necessary or elective, and being able to guide a patient through that process is extremely important, and this sets her apart.Dr. Driessen is happily married and has two wonderful children. She loves being a mom and a wife, and she enjoys spending quality time with her family.
Mike (Changhyun) Kim, MD
Board Certified Dermatologist
Dr. Kim earned his medical degree from Yale University School of Medicine in 2015. After completing his dermatology residency training in Pittsburgh, Dr. Kim first practiced dermatology in the oceanside town of Santa Cruz, California. There, he took care of many surfers and boaters, many of whom developed numerous skin cancers and precancers as a result of spending years in the ocean without sunscreen.
Dr. Kim moved to the Coachella Valley to join his wife, who is training to become a family medicine physician at the Desert Regional Medical Center. He is pleased that some of his patients from Santa Cruz migrate to the Coachella Valley for the winter and will be coming to see him.
Dr. Kim practices the full spectrum of dermatology: medical, surgical and cosmetic. He believes that a physician must have a comprehensive understanding of the skin in order to deliver the best outcomes in all aspects of dermatology. The medical, surgical and cosmetic are all interconnected in his eyes. Dr. Kim will always strive to provide the best treatment for your skin problems.
He much prefers the sunny California climate to the gloom and cold of the Northeast where he trained. However, every day in his practice, he sees the toll that sun exposure takes on the human skin — skin cancer, deep wrinkling and discoloration really are more common in California than in the Northeast. Dr. Kim advises his patients to get regular full skin cancer screenings and be on the lookout for any changing moles.
Brittany Denue, PA-C
Brittany Denue is a licensed and certified physician assistant, a member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants, Society of Dermatology Physician Assistants, and is board certified through the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants.
Being born and raised in Connecticut, she graduated from University of Massachusetts with a BS in science with a kinesiology and pre-medicine degree. She went on to pursue her passion in medicine at Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences University, where she earned her Master of Science in physician assistant studies, with cum laude honor. Brittany has had extensive training in dermatology and is proficient and well versed in all areas of medical dermatology, surgical procedures, and cosmetic dermatology, including lasers, dermal fillers, and neurotoxins. She is devoted to providing the highest quality of care, and she prides herself on taking time with her patients, answering all their questions, and developing individualized treatment plans tailored to her patients’ needs. One of Brittany’s greatest honors is the ability to provide medical care to underprivileged communities in both Haiti and Bolivia. She is dedicated to providing the best care and developing long-term relationships with her patients.
In her free time, Brittany enjoys traveling, spending time with family and friends, volunteering for charitable events, and being outdoors. She likes to go to the beach, dance, run, and snowboard.
Danielle Skarda, PA-C
Born and raised in Minnesota, Danielle has been passionate about medicine and has worked in various clinical roles since she was 16 years old. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in neuroscience from the University of St. Thomas and went on to receive her Masters of Physician Assistant Studies from St. Catherine University in 2016. She started her career practicing inpatient cardiovascular medicine and coronary interventions, but ultimately, she was drawn towards the field of dermatology. Her background in various fields yields a well-rounded and holistic approach to patient care. She enjoys helping patients look and feel their best in their skin and practices both medical and cosmetic dermatology. Passionate about educating patients, Danielle also prioritizes attending frequent lectures and seminars to stay up to date on the latest news in dermatology and cosmetics.
In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and Golden Retriever, hip-hop dancing, yoga, traveling, and cooking healthy new recipes.
