Biography


Kavita Sarin, M.D./Ph.D., is an Associate Professor of Dermatology and is the Director of the Stanford Skin Cancer Genetics Program at the Stanford Cancer Institute. She has an academic interest in Precision Medicine, focused on the integration of genetic and clinical patient data to inform susceptibility, prognosis, and treatments in skin cancer and other rare dermatologic disorders. Her lab applies cutting-edge sequencing and imaging technologies to better understand skin cancer and rare immunologic skin diseases. She sees patients in medical dermatology at Portola Valley and the Stanford Cancer Institute

Professional Summary


Education & Certifications
  • Internship: Santa Clara Valley Medical Center Dept of Medicine (2009) CA
  • Residency: Stanford University Dept of Dermatology (2012) CA
  • Board Certification: American Board of Dermatology, Dermatology (2012)
  • Medical Education: Stanford University Medical Center (2008) CA
  • PhD, Stanford University- Dept of Genetics, CA (2006)
  • BS, Stanford University- Computer Science, CA (2000)

Honors & Awards
  • Damon Runyon Clinical Investigator Award, Damon Runyon (2019-2022)
  • Department of Dermatology Letter of Teaching Distinction, Stanford University (2019-2020)
  • F32 NRSA Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award, National Institutes of Health (2013-2014)
  • K23 NCI Career Development Award, National Institutes of Health (2017-2022)
  • Medical Dermatology Career Development Award, Dermatology Foundation (2014-2017)
  • Medical Scientist Training Program Scholarship, National Institutes of Health (2000-2008)
  • President's Scholar, Stanford University (1996-2000)
  • Translational Research and Medicine Award, Stanford University (2013-2014)
  • Unsung Hero Award, NBC (1996)

Memberships
  • Member, Stanford Center for Population Health Sciences (2015 - Present)
  • Member, Stanford Cancer Institute (2015 - Present)
  • Member, American Society for Human Genetics (2019 - Present)
  • Member, Children's Health Research Institute (2017 - Present)
  • Fellow, American Academy of Dermatology (2009 - Present)
  • Member, Society of Investigative Dermatology (2014 - Present)

Publications

Clinical Trials

Clinical trials are research studies that evaluate a new medical approach, device, drug, or other treatment. As a Stanford Health Care patient, you may have access to the latest, advanced clinical trials.

Open trials refer to studies currently accepting participants. Closed trials are not currently enrolling, but may open in the future.


Practice Locations


General Dermatology Clinic in Portola Valley Portola Valley, CA
Portola Valley, CA

3240 Alpine Road

Portola Valley , CA 94028

(650) 723-6316

Make An Appointment More Clinic Information » Getting Here »

Skin Cancer Program in Palo Alto Palo Alto, CA
Palo Alto, CA

900 Blake Wilbur Drive, 3rd Floor

Palo Alto , CA 94304

(650) 498-6000

Make An Appointment More Clinic Information » Getting Here »

Stanford Pigmented Lesion and Melanoma Program at Stanford Cancer Center Palo Alto Palo Alto, CA
Palo Alto, CA

900 Blake Wilbur Drive, 3rd Floor

Palo Alto , CA 94304

(650) 498-6000

Make An Appointment More Clinic Information » Getting Here »

Patient Ratings

(264 Ratings)

Overall Rating
5.0/5

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5.0/5
Friendliness
Friendliness/courtesy of the care provider
5.0/5
Explanations
Explanations the care provider gave you about your problem or condition
5.0/5
Listens
Concern the care provider showed for your questions or worries
5.0/5
Care provider's efforts to include you in decisions about your care
Care provider's efforts to include you in decisions about your treatment
5.0/5
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The Patients Ratings and comments are gathered from our Patient Satisfaction Survey and displayed in their entirety.

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Patient Reviews

(255 reviews)

I would be very likely to recommend my Dr Kavita Sarin
She’s Extremely intelligent Dr. Her knowledge depicts that she’s doing a great job to help the people with different dermatology problems. Her studies are proving to be positive with time she can achieve the un achievable.
Excellent
Dr.Sarin and her associate were very patient with good explanations for me on my skin markings.
Dr. Sarin is excellent! Great person, Great doctor!
very thorough ! and. informative
Dr. Sarin was courteous and personable, a good listener and responder, thorough and patient. I was totally satisfied with this consultation, and grateful that she and her staff fit me into a cancellation on very short notice.
Dr. Sarin was very clear made me feel at ease
Outstanding!
Very quick and complete
Excellent, highest quality of service for her patients.
Attentive and supportive
Friendly, efficient, informative, and helpful!! I feel good about the next steps we identified and discussed.
excellent grade inn bedside manners, communication and scheduling
Excellent all aspects: knowledge fund; competence; integrity; manner/compassion; diligence
The doctor was 25 minutes late but accommodated the fact I had to go pick up my kid and contacted me later Overall very good experience
Dr. Sarin has wonderful bedside manner
Superb. Dr. Sarin is excellent.
Dr.Sari is fantastic and her resident was great
My complete confidence in Dr. Sarin
Dr Sarin is an exceptional doctor
Excellent, listens to patient and recommends options.
All the staff and doctors were very pleasant. No waiting
Dr. Sarin is in all ways terrific.
She took her time and was thorough.
Dr Sarin is excellent
Dr. Sarin has a calm and patient manner.
Dr Sarin is the best provider I've seen at Stanford!
on time, very thorough. love her!
Incredible compassionate health care at its finest. All my questions answered.
she's outstanding.
Kavita Saren is excellent
Excellent all around
Dr Sarin is fantastic: smart,. Caring, and gentle!
Excellent Dr. and Resident
Dr Sarin and her team are exceptional care providers
As usual Dr. Sarin was excellent and the knowledge and professionalism Dr. Hinton exhibited during the exam and procedure she performed made me quite comfortable during this visit.
Clean facility, Friendly staff, and knowledgeable doctors.
Love Dr. Sarin and she always has nice residents
She's personable and explains things well. I feel I can ask her questions without any hesitation. She went over several options for my treatment and helped me decide on the best one for me. Her resident, Christina (Lin? Lind?) was also very helpful and responsive,.
Dr. Sarin and team are trustworthy and knowledgeable
Very good appointment.
Dr. Sarin is wonderful!
great doctor, excellent service
Both Dr. Sarin and her resident were excellent!
Outstanding!
Exceptional is the word for Dr Sarin and her team.
Very nice and successful visit
She is very helpful
Dr Sarin is always fabulous!
Dr Sarin is very friendly and patient for my questions.
She is an exceptional doctor: caring, super competent and I appreciate being able to see her on video given I live out of area
Always great.. professional, personable, individualizes care
Dr. Sarin is wonderful. I am a physician and refer many patients to her as well as see her myself!
Exceptionally skilled Doctor and assistant with excellent communication skills.
Superb doctor
Awesome doctor & awesome resident I will refer everyone I know :)
Dr Sarin and crew are caring, experienced and efficient.
Kavita is amazing. She’s smart, approachable, caring and professional. I’m so lucky that she’s my doctor
My doctor and all the staff were fantastic. They took the time to explain everything and to make sure I understood.
Both Drs.Rieger and Sarin are outstanding. I have complete confidence in their concern for my health,
Superb, comprehensive, warm, professional,, quick care
Gotta love Dr Sarin!
Dr. Sarin is the best!!!
Dr Sarin is so knowledgeable and also very upbeat. I also enjoyed meeting Dr. Miller (the resident) who was helpful and caring.
Dr. Kavita Sarin is exceptional. Staff are excellent.
Always very thorough. Personable and well explained treatment.
Dr Sarin was, as always, thoughtful and considerate of my needs as a patient. The resident intern likewise was professional and attentive
she spent a lot of time with me , very details and informative!
Dr Sarin is the best! She gets to know her patients and is always willing to hrlp
Dr Sarin is a great doctor
Dr Sarin is terrific.
Dr. Sarin is an excellent physician who is very thorough and comprehensive in explaining my medical issues to me. I
Kind, considerate, professional care.
Dr Sarin and her resident were terrific
Dr Sarin is competent and attentive to her patients' care issues
Excellent complete overview of my issues
Everyone was so helpful! From the check in process and follow up from dr Sarin
It was exceptional all the staff were professional.
Dr. Sarin is fantastic -- I trust her completely.
Excellent medical care!
Dr Sarin is awesome! She listens and is spot on!
Drs. Sarin and Miller were kind, professional, thorough and thoughtful. I am totally satisfied with this visit.
Excellent in all aspects.
Highly recommend Dr. Sarin. FYI: This is a badly worded question.
Dr. Sarin is always a complete pleasure to deal with; professional, extremely competent, and takes the time to make sure all my questions are answered.
I like Dr. Sarin. A lot. If I didn't, I wouldn't go to Portola Valley from Redwood City to see her for in-person visits. I would pick a dermatologist with offices in Redwood City.
fantastic visit and doctors
Dr. Sarin is thorough and pleasant
Dr. Sarin is a very good listener. Her kindness and caring were shown through out our visits and interaction over the past two years. So grateful for her care.
Seems very knowledgeable and friendly
I wish more physicians were like Kavita. This was truly exceptional. She was thoughtful - no cookie cutter diagnoses - she spent time understanding the problem and worked on a smart, efficient solution with me. She was warm and interested in my case, and knowledgeable, yet also considered my ideas and thoughts authentically. Outstanding. I’ve had several not great experiences with caregivers at Stanford recently, so this one really stood out.
Excellent
Dr. Yang is perfect in every way! Her residents are always perfect as well!
Top the line. Get a resident plus world expert.
Dr Sarin is an amazing doctor and gave me all of my options. She walked through all the details.
Thank you for the prompt service. You made it very easy! And it was amazing to have the appointment start right on time!
Dr. Sarin is terrific
Dr. Sarin is an excellent physician! Informative, helpful, friendly, kind, and answered all of my questions. Superb.
Dr Sarin is a smart, through, and caring physician. I felt she was genuinely interested in solving my problem. Highly recommended.
Dr. Sarin is knowledgeable and a really nice person. Her residents have been uniformly friendly, knowledgeable and helpful. What a great practice this is!
Kavita was excellent.
I recommended Dr. Sarin to all of my relatives.
THE BEST
five stars. I switched from another dermatologist to Dr. Sarin a few years ago, and I am so glad I did.
The care from the providers is excellent. The scheduling system and availability are terrible.
She was very helpful as to what might be causing my sudden hair loss.
Dr Sarin is an exceptional practitioner - caring, explaining pathologies and remedies, thorough
Loved her patience with all my queries and she addressed all of them and gave recommendations and background knowledge on the cause of the issue.
She seemed intelligent and pleasant. The visit was brief, but she was responsive to my needs, and we will meet in person sometime in the next little while.
Dr. Sarin is excellent in every way.
Dr. Sarin is very upbeat and thorough!
The doctor was very friendly and professional.
Perfect experience glad that it could be in person -
Dr. Sarin is fantastic. I was impressed with her - like my other drs. at SUMC - because she treats me (an octogenarian) as a PERSON & does not write me off as just an old biddy.
Dr Sarin is spectacularly efficient, smart, and straightforward.
Dr. Sarin was warm, friendly and engaging. I have no complaints about her. She was Covid appropriate. I would highly recommend her.
Excellent physician
Dr Sarin is excellent - very thorough, professional, and friendly. She takes time to discuss my health problem with my and why she's doing the procedures she's doing. I feel she's interested in my health.
She's the best!
I drove all the way from Modesto to Portola Valley just to see Dr. Sarin. She is outstanding in her field. She has a very positive demeanor and wonderful feeling tone. Very knowledgeable in her area! (Dermatology.)
As always, Dr. Sarin is an outstanding physician, caring with an excellent skills as a physician
Dr. Sarin is excellent.
Dr. Sarin is fantastic.. Her student Dr. Tu was excellent.
Consistently professional.
Dr. Sarvin is caring, efficient, knowledgeable.
Dr Sarin always explains everything clearly. She remembers medical and non-medical topics we've discussed in the past (which I find amazing, given the number of patients she deals with). Excellent bedside manner!
Dr. Sarin was courteous, friendly, professional, and thorough. I felt she was genuinely interested in me and my concerns. I would recommend her to any new patient.
Good experience.
Dr. Sarin is very thoughtful and responds to our concerns. She is also very thorough.
Dr. Sarin is fantastic
Dr. Sarin is amazing.
Not as thorough as past experience with other providers.
love Dr. Sarin and feel blessed to be in her care. Thank you so much!
Dr. Sarin is awesome!
good bedside mannerswelcoming
Dr. Sarin was very good in diagnosing my skin condition, and she gave me very good treatment recommendations
She has very good bedside manners. She is also very informative with my issues. Learn something new that the other doctors never mention. Wish she practice closer to my location. I was very happy with the care she has given me that day.
Dr. Sarin is excellent. She put me at ease, very patient, kind, upbeat, professional and thorough.
Exceptional experience
Dr Kavita is the best dermatologist on the Face ID the earth . She has detected many issues with my skin and always have the right solution.
Dr Sarin is thoughtful in terms of my care, she's smart, compassionate and spends lots of time with me
Dr Sarin is a great doctor. I've seen her a few times and she is always pleasant, knowledgeable and does a great job.
Dr. Sarin was wonderful!
dr sarin is fabulous. she greets you like she is seeing her best friend
My overall experience was excellent. Dr. Sarin is a fantastic doctor!
Both, the Resident and the Attending were great, friendly and explained well my problem and options. Great service!
Dr. Sarin is outstanding
Dr. Sarin has the extraordinary gift of masterful use of clearly-articulated discourse to illuminate for the patient a complex network of connections between symptoms and potential causes, unveiling in a very friendly and easily-comprehensible manner her medical reasoning from premise to conclusion, and thus providing the patient with a clear understanding of the situation, crystal-clear explanation of plan of assessment and treatment, and precise instructions for after-visit care. I have rarely met a medical professional with such an outstanding capacity to communicate clearly and to the point all the relevant information, while also listening and pertinently responding to questions.
Dr Sarin is a bright light in medicine.
Dr. Sarin is an incredible talent & personality.
Dr. Sarin is outstanding.
Dr Sarin is amazing. Patient, kind, works with me as a team
I have passed on the good service this dept. provides. Many people from the Sequoias already attend here.
Answers questions caring attitude.
I am very happy and confident with my care provider! I highly recommend her with my friends and family!!
While she told me that the condition I have and the treatments necessary were not something she could treat, she gave me information and follow up info for someone who might be able to help.
Good.
dr Sarin is an incredibly fine physician. thank you.
Dr Sarin was as professional and empathetic as she3 could be1
Dr Sarin is great!
my providers are awesome and true professionals
Excellent doctor. Dr. Sarin is wonderful, very very good.
Outstanding!
Fantastic Doctor Dr Kavita
Dr.Sarin is a GREAT Doc - I am fortunate to have her as my dermatologist
Dr. Sarin is the best dermatologist I have been to. And I have 30 years of derm visits! She is wonderful.
Kavita is amazing. She's got great energy and always has a big smile! I love the way she works with you to figure out the best path in a collaborative method. The best doctor I've ever worked with!
I felt very well considered and cared for. Even got to listen to Classical music during my surgery. They were both really great and accommodating, answering questions, letting me take a look at the mass they removed when I asked, and really making sure everything went well. Really excellent care, which is to be expected with Stanford!
Dr. Kavita Sarin is an outstanding dermatologist. I am convinced of her competence. She exudes knowledge and shares it freely and with kindness. She is so professional and up to date on the minutest details of her profession. She can explain things on the microbiology level to the huge picture so well. She was referred to me as a superb physician by an outstanding dermatologist who we had under our PPO and there is no doubt she exceeds the referral if that is possible! I am very grateful to be under her care for my dermatology needs.
They are always wonderful.
Dr. Sarin is a perfect combination of friendly-but-efficient and knowledgeable-but-concise. And also thorough in reviewing notes and issues from previous visits.
Dr Sarin addressed my concerns in great detail and I left the clinic feeling empowered about the information she gave me from her exam
Dr Sarin is excellent! Patient with me, calm, passionate, and make correct diagnosis! I'm lucky to have her as my doctor
Overall, it was good but nothing special. The doctor took time to answer all my questions and this was important but left as soon as she finished answering and I was left alone in the room wondering what I was supposed to do next! So, I changed and went back to the front desk by myself --- felt a bit strange.
Dr. Sarin is fantastic. She is very professional,kind and caring. I'm delighted I've found a dermatologist I am totally confident in and look forward to my next check up!
Dr. Sarin is highly personable and attentive. What a gem! I very much appreciate her service.
Dr. Sarin is the VERY BEST!!!
Dr. Sarin provided me with excellent care. she addressed every skin condition I was concerned about and treated them right then and there. I raved about Dr. Sarin to my husband and I'm hoping that they will accept him as a new patient as well. She is lovely, very personable, caring and extremely efficient.
Dr. Sarin is very nice, professional & knowledgeable. She is also very patient with me. Very good doctor. Already recommend her to other friends.
Dr. Sarin is great. She has a 10+ of knowledge in her field and has good suggestions. Very good at explaining new options for medicine too.
It was far and she was great. Wish I'd qualified for the clinical trial, but it isn't her fault my condition decided to go into remission, heh!
They are awesome.
Dr. Sarin has a very caring manner. She is an extremely pleasant person.
Dr. Sarin was friendly, clear, professional and empathetic. I was impressed with both her and the intern and how they worked together! thank you Dr. Sarin.
Dr Sarin is a superb doctor.
Dr Sarin is extremely knowledge. She is caring and has great bedside manner. I cannot ask for any better doctor.
Dr. Sarin is one of the best doctors I have ever had.
Dr Sarin is great
I have no complaint all was very good.
Once I got to see Dr. Sarin, she was terrific.
I love the way things are done here
Dr. Sarin exuded confidence so I was reassured from the beginning that my problems would be resolved as well as possible. She was efficient, friendly - just what a patient wants in a care provider.
No concerns. Everything went smoothy with great communication.
Detailed and helpful
Dr Sarin is a great listener, shows genuine concern, and is open to patient input
Dr. Sarin & her resident are excellent.
Dr. Sarin is a superb doctor I could not ask for a better dermatologist.
The doctors are courteous, patient and very professional. At no point did I feel discomfort to discuss any issues or ask questions. We discussed several medications and I was able to make a decision on what seemed right for me. I definitely recommend the Portola clinic to anyone.
My one comment about Dr. Sarin is that she speaks very fast. She is very confident and competent, but it was a great deal of new information and vocabulary for me (a well-educated patient), so it was difficult for me to understand and follow her.
As usual utmost professionalism applied.
Dr. Sarin was very good and very knowledgeable. My only observation is that she talks a little too quickly, making it a little difficult to follow her, especially when medical terminology is used.
very good over all experience
excellent dermatologist
dr was amazing
Most Drs are pretty bright. Dr Sarin is VERY bright. As a research scientist she is on top of the latest developments in the field. I've seen her twice, both times she's asked if I have questions on anything and then spent the time to fully explain the answer.
Dr Sarin is the best.
Doctor & assistant were the best.
Dr. Sarin was superb!
Dr. Sarin is the "best of the best."
It was worth waiting two months to see her.
I understood some/many of the dermatology vocabulary. Dr. Sheu & Sarin were not "rushing out the door' and provided time to answer my questions. Dr. Sheu was patient and Dr. Sarin also provided time.
I felt heard and cared for. Dr. Sarin did not seem in any rush to get me in and out. She focused on me.
Dr. Sarin is wonderful, very wonderful.
Dr. Sarin was excellent, listened to all of my concerns, took the time to explain everything to me, and let me make informed decisions about medication options. I've already recommended Dr. Sarin to colleagues.
Dr. Sarin and Resident Dr. Sarah were both wonderful. I can't say enough about these two splendid people.
I was impressed that Dr. Sarin did not rush the appointment. She was very thorough.
I have recommended Dr. Sarin to others!
it would be helpful for the Care provider to use words that the patient could understand.
Such incredible, high quality dermatologist!
I did recommend her
She is very, very nice!
Dr. Savin very knowledgeable and explained well my treatment options. We together chose one treatment that best fit my situation and what I was willing to do.
The doctor and I were both prepared for the appointment because of correspondence using the app!
positive
Very thorough job with special emphasis on my issues. Super job.
Excellent Clinician
Dr. Sarin is exceptional. She seems extremely intelligent and has a wonderful manner.
Care provider was knowledgeable and kind but very late.
Wonderful care and concern!
Dr. Sarin was very helpful and clear.
Again, Dr. Sarin the best ! Already referred two people to her and they too are very happy.
Very capable and knowledgeable. I am very enthusiastic about this doctor.
Appreciate dr sarin!
During this visit I had two biopsies. The results of these biopsies from the lab doctor were totally over my head. I had to ask the doctor what was meant. She told me in simple terms. "No problem."
Dr. Sarin is outstanding
Was not specific about medications recommended, information she said she was going to give or follow-up instructions.
she seemed rushed otherwise very nice and very educated
Responsive, caring, A#1,
We have recommended Dr. Sarin to others in our community.
Dr. Sarin exemplifies true professionalism - knowledge, communication & personality!
Excellent and very knowledgeable.
The student intern provided an assessment then the dermatologist came in to discuss and review the assessment.
Dr. Sarin is personable and completely professional.
Very good. I look forward to seeing Dr. Sarin again.
I felt very well taken care of.
I having V good experience.
Care provider shows a really caring attitude toward her patient.
Very good experience.
Dr. Sarin provided a very knowledgeable diagnosis; thorough guidance.
Dr. especially helpful, informative.
I am more than satisfied with the care provided by Dr. Sarin.
Dr. Kavita Sarin is excellent!
Would like a complete, in-depth explanation of condition and causes, not just need to know treatment. Holistic treatment options (e.g., diet changes, exercise) should be discussed in addition to traditional western medicine.
Did not seem to understand my needs. At the end of the appointment she realized I actually needed to seen an allergy specialist.

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