Our Medical Providers

Dr. Ballesteros joined O.C. Medical Aesthetics Inc, DBA South Coast MedSpa as a regional medical director in 2012. Dr. Ballesteros took over as the Chief Medical Director in 2015, and continues to serve in that capacity.

Dr. Ballesteros is a Board Certified Emergency Medicine Physician and has been practising medicine since 1999. His interest in aesthetics has lead him to pursue the role with South Coast MedSpa. His continued education includes manufacture trainings, CME as well as keeping up on medical journals and papers in the area of cosmetic laser medicine.

Dr. Ballesteros supervises the medical treatments of laser hair removal, laser skin resurfacing treatments, laser tattoo removal and skin rejuvenation treatments.

Dr. Ballesteros was born in Riverside, California and been a permanent resident of Southern California. Medicine has forever been a career choice of his and the sciences have intrigued him from a young age.

For his undergraduate studies, he attended the University of California San Diego, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in Microbiology. He was then accepted into the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California. Dr. Ballesteros completed Medical School in 4 years, and earned his Medical Degree from USC in 1999.

He was then accepted into the elite Emergency Medicine Residency Training Program at the Los Angeles County-University of Southern California Medical Center. Here he trained under the country’s leading ER Physicians, and was exposed to a multitude of cultures and pathology. Dr. Ballesteros completed his USC Emergency Medicine Residency in 2003, and immediately joined an ER Physician Group in San Diego. He has been working at local underserved community hospital emergency departments for the past 9 year before joining the South Coast Med Spa team in 2012.

Before transitioning into aesthetics, Kiley gained extensive experience in urgent care, where she honed her skills in critical care and procedural treatments. Her background also includes both inpatient and outpatient nursing in surgical, stroke, cardiac, and oncology fields.

Kiley joined South Coast MedSpa in August 2024 and has been expertly trained in advanced aesthetic treatments, including laser therapies and skin rejuvenation procedures. She is dedicated to helping patients achieve their aesthetic goals while ensuring safe, effective, and personalized care.

Originally from Southern California, Kiley loves spending time outdoors with her husband, family, and friends. She is passionate about continuous learning and staying at the forefront of aesthetic medicine to provide the best possible results for her patients.

Lauren Ransom PA-C, MSPAS, MPH is a Board Certified Physician Assistant. Lauren pursued her medical education at Touro University California where she earned dual masters degrees, Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies and Master of Public Health. Upon graduating from PA school, she worked in the urgent care setting for two years before transitioning to dermatology and aesthetics.

Lauren completed her undergraduate degree at Occidental College where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology. She also competed as a four-year athlete on the college’s swimming and water polo teams.

Lauren specializes in dermatological laser aesthetics at South Coast MedSpa. During PA school, she chose dermatology as her elective clinical rotation where she fell in love with the specialty. Her training and attention to detail helps her provide personalized and effective treatments for her patients. Lauren enjoys getting to know her patients and helping them achieve their skin goals.

Marlena Kanouno, PA-C, MSPAS is a board-certified Physician Assistant with a strong background in urgent care and cosmetic dermatology. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology from San Diego State University and her Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies from Western University of Health Sciences.

She developed a passion for dermatology and aesthetics early in her career. Before becoming a Physician Assistant, she worked as a Medical Assistant in medical and cosmetic dermatology for a couple of years. During PA school, she chose dermatology as her elective rotation, further solidifying her commitment to the field.

At Southcoast MedSpa, she specializes in advanced dermatologic laser treatments focused on skin rejuvenation and transformation. She is passionate about helping patients achieve their aesthetic goals and feel confident in their skin through personalized treatment plans tailored to each individual.

Born and raised in San Diego, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, going to the beach, working out, and spending time with her puppy, Tahini.

Grace Thomas, MHS, PA-C, is a Board-Certified Physician Assistant dedicated to helping patients achieve their aesthetic goals with precision and care. She was born and raised in Southern California but spent six years on the East Coast, where she earned both her Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies degrees from Quinnipiac University in Hamden, Connecticut.

Before joining South Coast MedSpa, she gained valuable experience in urgent care, where she developed a strong foundation in patient care and clinical assessments. Her passion for blending medical expertise with aesthetic treatments enables her to provide personalized, effective solutions tailored to each patient’s unique needs.

In her free time, Grace enjoys staying active through spin and Pilates classes, hiking new trails, and spending time at the beach. She looks forward to continuing to help patients look and feel their best, both inside and out, through personalized treatments and compassionate care.

Monica is a Southern California native, born and raised in Huntington Beach, with a passion for both medicine and aesthetics. She received her Bachelor’s degree from California State University, Long Beach, and her Master’s in Physician Assistant Studies from A.T. Still University. She began her career in urgent care, where she gained valuable experience in fast-paced clinical decision making and developed a deep appreciation for building meaningful patient relationships.

Her transition into medical aesthetics allowed her to combine her clinical expertise with her love for helping others feel confident and empowered in their own skin. Monica enjoys guiding patients through advanced laser treatments and creating customized plans tailored to their individual skin concerns and goals, ensuring each patient feels informed, comfortable, and confident every step of the way.

In her free time, Monica enjoys taking advantage of living just a short walk from the beach, where she can relax and recharge. She also loves spending quality time with her husband and rescue dog. A true foodie at heart, she is always on the lookout for new restaurants to try and enjoys experimenting with new recipes at home.

Julia Hosfield, PA-C, MSPAS is a board-certified Physician Assistant with a diverse clinical background in urgent care, orthopedics, and pain management. She earned her Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies from Western University of Health Sciences after completing her Bachelor of Science in Health Science at Aurora University.

Before transitioning into aesthetics, Julia developed a strong foundation in patient care through her work in urgent care, where she managed a wide range of acute and chronic conditions and performed various in-office procedures. She also has experience in orthopedics and pain management, where she specialized in musculoskeletal evaluations and advanced injection therapies. In addition, she is actively involved in clinical research, further strengthening her commitment to evidence-based medicine and patient safety.

Julia is passionate about combining her medical expertise with aesthetic treatments to help patients feel confident and comfortable in their own skin. She is dedicated to providing personalized, results-driven care and values building strong, trusting relationships with her patients.

Originally based in San Diego, Julia enjoys spending her free time baking, running, camping, and being at the beach. She loves making memories with her husband and their bulldog, Mayo, and embraces an active, outdoors-oriented lifestyle.

Donna is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner, credentialed by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, with a specialization in family medicine. She earned her Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from the University of California, Irvine in 2022, following her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Cincinnati in 2017.

With nearly a decade of experience in plastic surgery, Donna built a strong foundation in surgical care, facial anatomy, and aesthetic principles. Her transition into aesthetic medicine was a natural extension of her passion for helping patients look and feel their best. Through her work, she developed an appreciation for how aesthetics goes beyond enhancing appearance—it plays a meaningful role in restoring confidence and helps individuals feel comfortable and empowered in their own skin. Donna is committed to delivering personalized, results-driven care tailored to each patient’s goals. Known for her warm and compassionate demeanor, she prioritizes patient education, safety, and trust in every interaction. At South Coast MedSpa, Donna is dedicated to creating a welcoming environment where patients feel heard and supported in their aesthetic journey.

Outside of her clinical work, Donna enjoys spending time at the beach, staying active through water sports and golf, and also has a passion for music, both listening and creating. As a dog lover, she cherishes time with her four-legged companions and embraces a balanced lifestyle that reflects her positive, energetic approach to both her personal life and patient care.

Elizabeth Ngo is an experienced Aesthetics Registered Nurse with nearly five years in the field. Born and raised in Riverside, CA, she earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from West Coast University, Ontario, in January 2020. Following graduation, she played a vital role in COVID-19 testing and vaccination efforts as a Medical Branch Coordinator for San Bernardino County before transitioning into the field of Medical Aesthetics.

Passionate about helping patients feel confident and beautiful in their own skin, Elizabeth is dedicated to providing high-quality aesthetic treatments. She firmly believes in the motto, “When you look good, you feel good,” and strives to achieve that for every patient. Her favorite treatments to perform include lip filler and Botox injections.

Outside of work, Elizabeth enjoys an active and adventurous lifestyle. She is a proud owner of two corgis and a grandmother to ten puppies. She loves camping in her truck, which she has built for outdoor adventures, and also enjoys doing lash extensions on the side.

Since 2012, Cheryl has been a Registered Nurse who has navigated the medical surgical inpatient hospital setting, outpatient testing/wellness clinic, and aesthetic field. Her favorite part of her career is connecting with patients by trying her best to make them feel as comfortable as they can during treatments. Her other interests include writing, reading, traveling, dancing, and sharing laughs with loved ones.