About Balfour Dermatology Team
Our team at Balfour Dermatology is dedicated to helping you look and feel your best. Our professional and friendly associates deliver expert care for all skin conditions and will take great care of you each time you visit our office. Below, we have included the names, photos and bios of our team so you can get to know the team that will be taking care of you.

Dr. Robert E. Beer, MD
I am a skin cancer specialist and a fellowship trained Mohs surgeon. I started Balfour Dermatology in 1999 to bring quality medical care to East Contra Costa County. My vision incorporates my philosophy of providing compassionate care though academic excellence and advanced diagnosis. I bring my passion, experience, and mastery of leading edge technologies to serve the skin care needs of local residents. I continue to forge ahead in mastering new technologies and procedures as they become available.
I completed my dermatology residency at Columbia in New York City. Preceding that, my medical education began at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas. I trained in Mohs and Laser surgery for an additional three years in Kansas City, Missouri. I spent one year studying Pathology at the University Hospital in Basel, Switzerland and I finished my education in Palm Springs in Cosmetic Dermatology. I enjoy paying it forward by sharing this knowledge with the next generation of dermatology experts.
I am a Fellow and Associate of the American College of Mohs Micrographic Surgery and Cutaneous Oncology and am board certified by the American Board of Dermatology. I’m proud to be Chairman of Dermatology at Walnut Creek’s John Muir Medical Center, a position I was nominated by East County fellow dermatologists. I am a member of the medical staff of Antioch’s Sutter Delta Medical Center and John Muir Hospital.
My practice today has morphed into a world class Mohs Surgery Center. My fellow dermatologists regularly refer patients to me knowing that my work with skin cancer and artistic ways to finish a surgery will heal with the best cosmetic outcome. While I am proud of my medical contributions I am also proud to offer the best Cosmetic treatments available in the Industry. We don’t follow the latest “fads”, but rather use our knowledge and experience to give our patients the best outcome. This philosophy has led Balfour Dermatology to be ranked as top 150 in the Nation by Allergan, the makers of Injectable’s such as Botox and Juvederm Fillers.
I try to maintain an active lifestyle so I like to go sailing on the Bay during summer months, skiing in Tahoe during the winter, and enjoy hiking and biking at such places as Brentwood’s Round Valley during pleasant days at any time of the year.

Dr. Thomas Triplett
My fascination for how the body works and desire to get into the medical field began when I was just a young boy, traveling along with my mom to the hospital who was a surgical nurse. When I began my education in the medical field I discovered the importance of the skin being the largest organ of the body and the value of educating people about how it should be taken care of first and not last.
I earned my medical degree's (M.D.) at the Medical University of Lublin in Poland and degree in osteopathic medicine (D.O.) at the New York College of Osteopathic Medicine. I completed my family practice residency at the Institute for Family Health /Mid-Hudson Family Practice. I also had the opportunity to complete my fellowship in clinical dermatology with the institute for Family Health in Kingston. While practicing in New York, I had the pleasure of training under Dr. Marie Louise Johnson MD, PhD, the first female Dermatology Department chair at Yale medical school and the first female president of the AAD (American Academy of Dermatology). I enjoy all areas of Dermatology, but have special interest in Psoriasis, Eczema, Acne, Geriatric Dermatology and Skin Cancer detection and treatment.
I am originally from California and moved to Poland as a young man where I met my wife and we started a family. We lived in Lublin, Poland during Martial Law, then moved to High Falls, NY where the 1961 classic movie Splendor in the Grass was filmed. Now having relocated back to Brentwood, I am able to enjoy being close to my children. I recently became a grandfather which has brought me such happiness and fulfillment in life.
In my spare time I enjoy spending time with my family, reading, cycling and hiking. I enjoy cooking alongside my wife making delicious Polish dishes.

Sandra Lee, FNP
My work at Balfour Dermatology is both on the medical and cosmetic side with Botox, fillers, and lasers. I diagnose and manage acne, psoriasis, and other issues with the skin. Dermatology often provides me with satisfying experiences of instant gratification as I make patients feel better both internally and externally. I enjoy assisting people with cosmetic issues and helping them feel better about themselves.
I was born and raised in the Bay Area and enjoy entertaining guests and hosting parties. I love to travel. We once spent a memorable two weeks touring the beaches and ruins in Belize. I live on the water in Discovery Bay and have a great time playing where I live: paddle boarding and catching stripers and bass from our family’s fishing boat.
My interests and passions for skincare go back to my youth. I became a professional aesthetician before starting my Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) career. It was a big change in my life. I enrolled at New York’s Columbia University. I expected to be in New York for two years but it turned out to be five. I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Nursing followed with a master’s degree as a Family Nurse Practitioner.
The master’s program was a hectic and challenging period of time, but I was committed to reaching my goal. I was living in an ancient 5-story walk-up in the Upper West Side with no air-conditioning, but I loved it. In spite of my 70-hour workweek, I enjoyed spending my few leisure hours strolling through nearby Central Park and trying out the restaurants and bars in that amazing area.
It was good to get back to the Bay Area. My parents are active boaters and I’ve been coming to Discovery Bay since I was child. So it was wonderful when I learned about a position at Balfour Dermatology and joined the team in 2015.

Timothy Ray, PA-C
I've been working at Balfour Dermatology since December 2014. As a certified Physicians Assistant (PA-C), I focus on the medical side of our practice. I especially enjoy skin surgeries plus diagnosing and treating rashes, moles, acne, skin cancers, and other suspicious conditions.
I entered college intending to pursue a career in medical care but got derailed after my junior year when I got married. I needed a paycheck, so I connected with Morgan Stanley. The money was good, but I knew this wasn’t my calling. My secretary was a hypochondriac who came into the office every morning complaining of her symptôme-de jour, which forced me to realize that I was more interested in helping people with medical issues. So, even though it meant a big drop in income, I quit my job, enrolled in a medical school, and graduated from Touro University’s College of Health and Human Services in Henderson Nevada.
Fortunately, my dermatology rotation was with Dr. Beer. Balfour Dermatology provided an effective learning environment and I quickly decided that Dermatology was what I wanted to do. My decision was supported by subsequent externships that were much less satisfying than my time with Dr. Beer.
My wife and I have active lifestyles and take any excuse to get outdoors. We are on a number of local sports teams including soccer, softball, football, and especially golf. We have two young daughters. We’ve been bringing them on the golf course with us since they were toddlers. They had their miniature clubs and pretended to play along with us.
We love hiking, biking, and rock-climbing in Tahoe and Yosemite, which have become second homes. We climbed to the top of Half Dome, but went up the easy way, with stairs and ropes. When they were less than five years old, our little girls chose Yosemite over Disneyland, which they also love. At that point we realized we were doing something right.

Christina Lackland, FNP
I started my journey with Balfour Dermatology when I had the opportunity to complete my Dermatology rotations here while attending PA school. I discovered during this time my fascination with what Dermatology and Aesthetics have to offer. I enjoy being able to work in both Medical and Cosmetic Dermatology and to be given the opportunity to help my patients correct small imperfections that bother them. We all know that beauty is skin deep, but it never hurts to reflect that from the outside.
I was born and raised locally and graduated from Deer Valley High School. I worked for Costco while attending college and nursing school which I completed in Arizona with my BSN.
Eager and ready to work I returned to California for my first Nursing job at San Joaquin General Hospital. A year following that I had the opportunity to work in the Surgical Care unit at Sutter Delta Medical Center here in Antioch. While working nights, I continued to pursue my education at Samuel Merritt University towards my Master’s Degree as a Nurse Practitioner.
Although I did my clinical training in a variety of specialties including obstetrics, family practice and Urgent Care, I quickly came to find my passion for Dermatology. I had the opportunity to join a team with extensive knowledge and experience that strives to always exceed and to give our patients the best care. Whether that be with the latest injectable and laser procedure that is going to help refresh and soften the signs of aging, or a clinical diagnosis and treatment of a potentially life-threatening skin cancer.
In my spare time I enjoy traveling, snowboarding and supporting my local Bay Area sports teams! My passion is to spend quality time with my family and my best friend, who also happens to be my little sister.

Denise Garcia, LE, CMT Esthetician
My role with the Balfour Dermatology team, which began in 2005, is as a Licensed Esthetician and Certified Skin Care Expert. My extensive training and knowledge of chemical peels, has equipped me to provide high-quality customized beauty treatments. I am able to develop uniquely tailored peels for each patient’s particular conditions and needs. I work with them to develop customized home beauty regimens that support and enhance their goals.
I am a certified specialist with PCA Skin, SkinMedica, and Obagi Medical. I trained with Dr. Obagi in Beverly Hills and mastered his system of advanced skin care. I received my estheticians license in 1994 and have worked in many facets of the beauty industry including sales, management, spa settings, and education.
My training enables me to use my knowledge and experience to assist patients in selecting and using appropriate medical grade products, treatments, and equipment. I combine cosmetic treatments with lasers, fillers, and Botox, to achieve the best results. I help patients achieve younger and healthier functioning skin by correcting and treating a variety of skin conditions including acne, rosacea, aging skin, and sun damage.
I listen carefully to my clients’ needs and desires so that I can most effectively guide them to their desired results. I love my job and enjoy seeing the transformation my skin peels and customized treatments make in enhancing our clients’ natural beauty.
I like antiques, watching classic movies, and enjoying music by songwriters from the 30s to the 60s. I also enjoy gardening and spending time with my three grown children and three grandsons.

Gretchen Tong, RT
My specialty is treatment of skin cancers. I graduated from City College San Francisco as a Radiation Therapist in the class of ’84. During my 30 years experience I have watched as the technology improved, becoming much more effective and safe for the patient.
The professionalism and friendliness of the team-members I work with and especially contacts with my patients make coming to work a pleasure. In spite of the progress in technology, my treatments cause anxiety to some patients when they first come in. They become reassured when they learn that our cure rate is above 95 percent and that each session requires only one pain-free minute.
Patients sometimes approach a treatment plan as an interruption in their busy lives. However, they return for multiple treatments, which provides me with opportunities to get to know them personally. They become much more than just a name. A spirit of comradery and friendship is able to grow up between us. By the end of their treatment plan, my patients are pleased with their experience and glad to refer Balfour Dermatology to friends and acquaintances with skin problems.
I’ve been married for nearly 20 years. We have a son who was a member of Antioch High’s 2017 graduating class. I enjoy camping. We love to go up in the Gold Country with our new pop-up. We love the get-up-and-go convenience of our new trailer. We recent joined the United Prospectors International prospecting club and we are able to take our sluice and gold pans and check to see if there is any more “gold up in them thar hills.” It’s just fun; we probably aren’t going to get rich, but then, who knows?

Christi Rodriguez, RN, MSN, FNP
I attended San Francisco State University and earned a Master of Science in Nursing \ in 2000 and a Family Nurse Practitioner Post-Master’s Certificate in 2005. I am a member of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing and a member of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners. Before joining Balfour Dermatology, I worked in many areas of nursing including emergency and cardiac care.
I was born and raised in the East Bay, so was delighted to become a member of the Balfour Dermatology team. Not only is my short commute a relief, of course, but I take pleasure in being able to practice my profession with people who live in my community — some of my neighbors and friends.
My career and family keep me busy, especially since the birth of my daughter followed two years later by a set of triplets. However, I enjoy spending my limited leisure time hanging out with friends and doing anything related to the water including boating, swimming, water sports, or just relaxing on the beach or poolside. I enjoy traveling to Europe. My maiden name is Andronico, so I especially enjoy visiting Greece and connecting with some of our relatives who are still living there.
Nothing gives me more pleasure and satisfaction, however, than serving my patients. I enjoy working with them and have a real sense of fulfillment when I see their happy reactions to the changes and transformations that result from procedures that I have administered.

Bethany, Treatment Coordinator
My roles at Balfour Dermatology are the Assistant Office Manager, Cosmetic Treatment Coordinator and Certified Body Contouring Specialist. This is more than a mere job for me because I have a genuine passion for improving the lives of my patients and am dedicated to helping them achieve their aesthetic goals.
I grew up in the East Bay and am a mom of three children. There were complications and issues with the pregnancy and birth of our first child Isaiah. He spent a lot of time in the Neo Natal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). My prolonged exposure to the medical community sparked my interest in pursuing a career in medicine, so following my maternity leave I went back to school. In 2012 I received my Medical Assistant certification and began working at Balfour Dermatology the next year.
Part of the success I enjoy in my position comes from my heart-felt support for Dr. Beer’s core values of ensuring that all patients’ questions are answered and that their expectations are met or exceeded at every point, beginning with their first visit and continuing until treatment is completed. I’m dedicated to improving my patients’ skin problems from head to toe. My greatest payback comes from seeing my patients’ quality-of-life improve through the positive impact on their attitude, bearing, and self-confidence that result from the transformations we are able to make in their appearance.
In my spare time I enjoy utilizing my creativity and certification in interior decorating. I have done a number of decorating projects for both residential and commercial spaces. I enjoy using my training and experience to enhance our office, including marketing displays and furnishings.