Skin care near the surf

Caduceus Medical Group is close to the beach — and the beach community it serves.

The group, headquartered in Yorba Linda and formerly located in South Laguna since 2001, now has a “Caduceus at 333 Thalia” satellite office, only steps from the sand.

Dr. Gregg DeNicola, sole proprietor of the new office, said the purpose of the relocation was to make doctor visits more convenient for his 1,500-plus Laguna patients.

“Eighty to 90 percent of our patients are Lagunans, so we’re just trying to make life easier for them,” he said.

Since the new office opened April 1, DeNicola has welcomed more than 500 additional patients.

DeNicola said the practice was already outgrowing its prior 900-square-foot space, so the new 3,000-square-foot office — formerly Reef Liquor Store — is much more suitable for business.

The Thalia Street office is unusual in both its décor, and services it provides.

The building is colored with old photographs, paintings and murals by local artists like Scott Hague and the patient rooms have names like “Surfboard Surgery Suite” and “Festival Room,” all decorated accordingly.

DeNicola said these themes are meant to not only bring a sense of cheer to his patients, but also to support the community.

He and local architect and designer Noel Hart worked together to develop the themes and shop for works by Laguna craftsman and artists.

“We love this community and we want to support it however we can,” he said.

Although DeNicola is not a Laguna native, he did spend his early years “hanging out” here and has a true love for the city.

Another way the practice shows support is by offering free skin screens to locals and guaranteeing same-day visits with no appointments.

DeNicola said the skin screenings were initially a way to draw in more patients, but as he discovered numerous cases of skin damage, he decided to host Skin Screening Saturdays between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. year-round.

“We’re more prone to sun damage living in a coastal community,” he said. “I’d like to help out with this as much as I can.”

There is only a $25 charge for non-locals, which is among the generous prices offered on the Cash Price List.

“Our main goal is to help people,” DeNicola said. “That’s why we offer reduced prices to people who have no insurance.”

DeNicola earned his bachelor’s and medical degree from Creighton University in Omaha, Neb. He completed his residency at UCLA, and has been a practicing physician since 1982.

The Thalia Street office tends to patients of all ages, with various issues, and specializes in dermatology.

It plans to introduce ultrasounds and possibly physical therapy in the near future.

Caduceus, the snake encircled staff meaning “herald’s wand” in Greek, is the universal symbol for physicians.