Exploring Life & Business with Sonia Batra of Batra Dermatology

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sonia Batra

Hi Sonia, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I am delighted to be practicing in my hometown as a dual board-certified dermatologist and dermatologic surgeon. When I look out my office windows in Santa Monica, I can see my dad’s old medical office, where I worked during summers as a kid! After graduating from Palisades High School, I spent 14 years away from Los Angeles in school and training. I received my undergraduate and MD degrees from Harvard University and was a Rhodes Scholar at the University of Oxford. I completed residency training at Stanford University followed by a fellowship in surgical, laser and cosmetic dermatology.

During the years away, I always considered Southern California my true home. I was excited to return to LA at the end of my training to initially head the dermatology section at City of Hope Cancer Center. By then, I had married a urologist I met during residency, and we were looking for a path forward that would help us balance our busy medical careers and our growing family. To best serve those needs, I founded my own dermatology practice in Santa Monica.

It turned out to be the best choice I could have made! While running my own practice has certainly been a labor of love requiring a great deal of time and effort, it has given me invaluable independence and the ability to deliver the highest quality care. I also believe passionately in patient education. I was fortunate enough to be invited onto multiple television shows to discuss skin care related topics. Eventually this led to a role as a co-host on CBS’ Emmy-winning medical talk show, The Doctors. While all aspects of my journey have been fulfilling, I am particularly grateful that many of my patients have remained with me from the start of my practice. I am honored to continue to care for them and they feel like a part of my family. I work hard to live up to the trust people place in me.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
While my life and career have been full of blessings, the road to reach this point has not always been smooth. There was a steep learning curve in launching and sustaining a practice! Medical training does not traditionally include education on running a business. I had to learn on the job about accounting, human resources, and how to manage a staff, among other things. I made numerous mistakes with respect to contracts and hiring. Aside from learning the business aspects of practice, other challenges included juggling my home life and delivering care during the COVID-19 pandemic.

As you know, we’re big fans of Batra Dermatology. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
My dermatology practice offers the full range of medical, surgical and cosmetic services in a boutique, friendly setting. We are known for offering innovative and research-backed treatments that are tailored to each patient’s needs. We are often the first or only practice in our area to offer new devices, such as the AviClear laser for acne or EmFace for facial aging. My second board certification is in skin cancer surgery, and we pride ourselves on focusing on prevention, early detection and treatment of skin cancers. One aspect of our practice that I am proud of is the quality of care that we deliver. A small, independent practice is very rare these days, and its survival depends on delivering exceptional care and treatments.

Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
Practicing medicine, and especially dermatology, is a tremendously gratifying way to help people and improve their lives! Much like being a parent, the demanding schedule can sometimes make the days feel long, but the years fly by as the work is so meaningful and enjoyable.
From a business/practice perspective, before entering any contract, compare at least two to three bids. You will be astounded at times by the cost difference for comparable services or devices! Whenever possible, have an experienced attorney and/or accountant help to review business contracts. Despite the best preparation, issues will inevitably arise. Try to remain calm and rational and not become emotionally overwhelmed. Remember, Will Rogers said, “Good judgment comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgment.”

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.batraskincare.com
• Instagram: @batradermatology; @drsoniabatra
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BatraDermatology
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@RSoniaBatra-MD-MSc-MPH

Image Credits
Photography by Danny Turner