Our African American Surgery Expert

Our African American Surgery Expert | Dr. Pearlman Hicks

Southern California’s leading African American plastic surgeon, Dr. Pearlman D. Hicks has a very simple golden rule; to treat patients as he would want to be treated.

Dr. Hicks is a legend in firsts… he was the first African American plastic surgeon on the West Coast and he is the first doctor in Southern California to use the VASER System for Hyperhidrosis, abnormally increased perspiration, an ailment his son has suffered from since childhood. Hicks was born in Hamilton, Ohio, a small town of 50 thousand people, to a working class family that knew the meaning of commitment and education. Hicks always knew he would be a doctor and was interested in becoming a psychiatrist after a family friend told him of the horror stories while in an institution. Young Hicks vowed that he would never let anyone suffer at the hands of medical practioners again.

After high school, Hicks was accepted to Harvard University in Cambridge. While studying for his a B.A. degree in Biological Sciences, to follow his dream of being a psychiatrist, he was also a fullback on the Crimson football team. It was during his sophomore year, when Hicks severely injured his ankle thus ending his football career, that he changed his medical focus. While recuperating, Hicks worked part time as a lab tech for an Ear, Nose and Throat doctor and became interested in that field which eventually led him to his career in plastic surgery.

After graduating from Harvard, Dr. Hicks returned to his Ohio roots for medical school at the Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, where he completed a five year general surgical residency. And while there, was selected as Chief Surgical Resident during his final year.

He then returned to Massachusetts and completed two years of plastic surgical residency at Harvard University. In his last year Hicks was again selected as Chief Resident in Plastic Surgery at both Boston Children's Hospital and the Peter Bent Brigham Hospital.

After finishing his residency, Hicks wanted a change of scenery and answered an ad in a medical journal for a plastic surgeon needed at a Compton area hospital. So, he packed up his new wife and young son in their VW and drove cross country. After several years, he transferred to Long Beach Memorial Hospital and his practice took off from there. Dr Hicks now has the largest experience with African American patients in the country but his clients come from all ethnic groups.

Dr. Hicks is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. He has been in practice in Southern California since 1979. He is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and a member of eight medical societies.

Along with his daily practice, Dr. Hicks has authored and co-authored several scientific papers. He has been featured in the Wall Street Journal and the Los Angeles Times and has been a guest on the Oprah Winfrey Show. He has also appeared on numerous television shows networks and has been featured in several magazines articles.

He is currently on the staff of 11 area hospitals including the prestigious Cedars Sinai in Los Angeles

Dr. Pearlman Hicks lives in Palos Verde with his wife and between them they have 5 children. He enjoys photography, cheering for the Buckeyes and is a big boxing fan. In fact, Dr. Hicks is one of only 12 state licensed doctors on hand for professional boxing tournaments in Los Angeles

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