UCLA Campus    |   UCLA Health    |   School of Medicine Translate:
UCLA Health It Begins With U

Our Physicians

Before selecting a primary care physician, please call 1-800-UCLA-MD1 (1-800-825-2631) or Santa Monica Parkside office at (310) 998-5868 to confirm the practice is open to new managed care patients (HMO plan). Physician availability is subject to change.

 

Stephanie S. Canale, MD
Assistant Clinical Professor

Dr. Canale is from Montreal, Canada and earned her undergraduate and medical degrees from McGill University. She completed her residency training in Family Medicine at UCLA. After medical residency, she joined the teaching faculty at the UCLA Family Health Center, before joining the Santa Monica Parkside office. She enjoys seeing patient s of all ages, especially families with young babies and young adults. Dr. Canale also teaches medical residents and students. Dr. Canale is a Member of the American Board of Family Medicine.
   
 

Denise Freese, MD
Assistant Clinical Professor

Dr. Freese completed her undergraduate degree at University of Illinois, summa cum laude with a degree in Biology.  She earned her Medical Degree and a Masters Degree in Public Health from UCLA, and completed her Family Medicine Residency at Santa Monica Hospital.
Dr. Freese has been in practice at this location since completing her residency in 1995.  She is the chairman of the Family Medicine Quality Assurance Committee at UCLA Santa Monica Orthopedic Hospital, and is a member of the Executive Medical Board of the Hospital.  She is also on the attending staff of Saint John's Hospital.  She enjoys taking care of patients of all ages.
   
 

Richard Kennedy, MD
Assistant Clinical Professor

Dr. Kennedy is a Los Angeles native who graduated from UCLA in 1982 and Albany Medical College in 1986.  He completed his Family Medicine residency at the Santa Monica-UCLA Family Medicine program in 1989.  He has been in practice in Santa Monica since 1989, joining the UCLA faculty in 1997.  Dr. Kennedy is a board certified family physician who enjoys caring for pediatric and adult patients.  He has special interests in preventive health care as well as management of chronic medical conditions including hypertension, diabetes mellitus, obesity, and hypercholesterolemia.  He is a former Chief of Staff at Santa Monica-UCLA Medical Center and remains active on multiple medical committees at Santa Monica-UCLA.  He continues to teach medical students and resident physicians.
   

Joel Sarachek, MD
Assistant Clinical Professor

Dr. Sarachek has a faculty appointment as Health Sciences Assistant Clinical Professor of Family Medicine at UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine. He received his undergraduate degree from UC Davis, graduating summa cum laude in Biochemistry.  He also obtained his medical degree at UC Davis, where he received The Award for Excellence in Family Medicine. He then completed his residency in Family Medicine at UCLA - Santa Monica Hospital.
Dr. Sarachek joined the UCLA Parkside office in 1997. His clinical interests include providing well care for children and adults of all ages, as well as managing chronic medical conditions. He greatly enjoys sharing his skills and knowledge by teaching medical students and residents. He also serves on several medical committees at UCLA - Santa Monica Hospital.