Our physicians all completed dermatology residencies and are board-certified by the American Board of Dermatology. They are highly skilled and have decades of experience practicing dermatology.
Board-Certified Dermatologists
Meet our Physicians
Todd Bessinger, MD PhD
Glenn Todd Bessinger M.D. Ph.D. is the founder of Hawaii Dermatology Centers. He is a board-certified dermatologist and specializes in skin cancer surgery and laser treatments. He received his M.D, M.P.H., and Ph.D. and from Tulane University. He is a U.S. Army veteran and was the Chief of Dermatology at Tripler Army Medical Center in Honolulu before establishing the practice. Dr. Bessinger has served as President of the Hawaii Dermatological Society and has been named one of Honolulu Magazine’s Best Doctors in Hawaii for the past 10 years. He is an avid runner and high-school cross-country coach.
Sarah Howell, MD
Sarah M. Howell, M.D. is a board-certified dermatologist who specializes in medical dermatology. She manages clinical research studies for psoriasis and eczema. Dr. Howell earned her MD from Georgetown University and completed her residency at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. She served as a dermatologist in the US Army prior to joining Hawaii Dermatology Centers in 2012. Dr. Howell has been named one of Honolulu Magazine’s Top Doctors annually since 2015 and has served as the President of the Hawaii Dermatological Society. In her free time, she enjoys playing with her three children, yoga, reading, sewing and painting.
Rebecca Luria, MD
Rebecca Luria, M.D. is a board-certified dermatologist who specializes in medical, surgical, and cosmetic dermatology. She earned her MD from Georgetown University and completed her residency at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. While serving in the U.S. Army, Dr. Luria taught dermatology at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences and has served as Chief of Dermatology at Fort Drum and Fort Meade. Dr. Luria has been practicing general dermatology in Kailua since leaving the Army in 2011, and has been consistently named one of Honolulu’s “Top Doctors”. She has served as the President of the Hawaii Dermatological Society, and she participates in research for psoriasis and eczema. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, tennis, painting, and hiking with her husband and three children.
Nathan Cox, MD
Nathan Cox, M.D. is a board-certified dermatologist that specializes in general dermatology. He earned his MD from Temple University. He then completed his residency at the Department of Dermatology & Cutaneous Biology at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, where he received extensive training and education in all aspects of medical, surgical, and cosmetic dermatology. Dr. Cox joined Hawaii Dermatology following the completion of his residency. He enjoys playing the piano, hiking, and traveling.
Ari Gelman, MD
Ariel Gelman M.D. is a board-certified dermatologist who specializes in general dermatology, complex inpatient medical dermatology, pediatric dermatology, and procedural dermatology. He completed studies at The United States Military Academy before completing his MD from Temple University. Dr. Gelman completed his internship at Tripler Army Medical Center and his residency at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. Dr. Gelman is currently practicing at Tripler Army Medical Center while serving in the United States Army and Hawaii Dermatology Centers on select days and times. In his free time, he enjoys soccer, hiking, camping, and travel.
Frank Fang, MD
Dr. Fang is dedicated to achieving excellent patient outcomes in a warm and friendly manner. He specializes in cosmetic and reconstructive surgery of the face, body, breast, and extremities. Dr. Fang was born and raised in Albany, GA. After high school, he attended Harvard University where he studied biochemical sciences, and he subsequently trained at Harvard Medical School. He completed his plastic and reconstructive surgery residency training at the University of Michigan Hospital. He then spent 2 years of fellowship training at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital with a focus on oncologic and trauma reconstruction using advanced microsurgical techniques. Dr. Fang is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. After starting his career in New York City as a faculty surgeon at both the Mount Sinai Hospital and James J. Peters VA Hospital, Dr. Fang relocated to Oahu in 2021, bringing expertise in both the reconstructive and aesthetic surgical realms. In his free time, Dr. Fang enjoys spending quality time on the beaches and outdoors around the island with his family.
Tom Crabtree, MD FACS
Thomas G. Crabtree, M.D. FACS is a board-certified plastic and reconstructive Surgeon. He earned his undergraduate degree from Harvard University and his MD from Stanford University. He served for 24 years as a surgeon in the US Army and was Chief of Plastic Surgery as well as Consultant to the Surgeon General for Plastic Surgery during his tenure. Dr. Crabtree has served as president of the Hawaii Plastic Surgery Society. He has been named one of the Best Doctors in Hawaii by Honolulu Magazine and the Hawaii Business News for each of the past 20 years. Dr. Crabtree is available to assist with closures of the face, ears, and other aesthetically sensitive areas.
Physician Assistants
Our physician assistants have post-graduate training with years of experience working in dermatology under the mentorship of dermatology physicians.
Tim Howard, PA-C
Timothy Howard is a nationally certified physician assistant. He graduated from the US Army’s physician assistant program and received his master’s degree in family medicine from the University of Nebraska. Tim joined Hawaii Dermatology Centers in 2007 after 20 years of military service. He is skilled in all aspects of medical and cosmetic dermatology. He particularly enjoys performing cosmetic procedures such as dermal fillers, neurotoxins, and laser procedures. Outside of the clinic, Tim enjoys staying fit by running, hiking and exploring the beautiful sites of Hawaii.
Sarah Beaton, PA-C
Sarah Beaton is a nationally certified physician assistant. She earned a master’s degree in physician assistant studies from the University of Iowa College of Medicine. For the first 10 years of her medical career, Sarah practiced family medicine and pediatrics in Colorado and Guam. Since moving to Hawaii in 2004 and transitioning into dermatology, Sarah has maintained membership with the Society of Dermatology Physician Assistants, and practices medical, surgical and cosmetic dermatology. She joined Hawaii Dermatology Centers in 2013. Outside of the clinic you can find Sarah on a hiking trail with her husband and dogs, gardening or on her yoga mat.
Christina Robbins, PA-C
Christina Robbins is a master's level nationally certified physician assistant with more than 20 years of health care experience. She enjoys all aspects of dermatology from diagnosing and treating medical conditions to doing cosmetic procedures such as Restylane fillers, Botox®, Dysport, and chemical peels. Having spent her childhood in Hawaii, she is an island girl at heart and enjoys the beauty and adventure of the islands. She especially enjoys working with exceptional co-workers and with the best patients on the island.
Ashley Rapoza
Operations Manager
Giselle Franklin
RN/Aesthetics Manager
Testimonials
