Dr. Diana J. Friend, M.D.

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Get to know Obstetrician-Gynecologist Dr. Diana J. Friend, who serves patients in Los Angeles, California.

Being a board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist, Dr. Friend performs gynecologic surgery, including hysterectomies, and is certified in minimally invasive gynecologic surgery. She provides excellent, compassionate care to patients at Kaiser Permanente West Los Angeles Medical Center in California.

“I have been with Kaiser Permanente since 1998 and plan to be here for many years to come. I became Chief of Service for the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology in 2013. Although I have an administrative role, I continue to have a very busy practice caring for my patients. I treat my patients the way I would want to be treated. I listen to my patients. I am compassionate. I try to be thorough and provide support and care when needed. I talk with my patients about why a certain medication or treatment is needed and I provide alternative options when available” as stated by the doctor.

Born and raised in Los Angeles, Dr. Friend is a 1998 graduate of the University of California, Irvine School of Medicine. She completed her internship and residency in obstetrics and gynecology at Kaiser Foundation Hospital, after which she joined Permanente Medical Group in 2001.

Passionate about her chosen field, she is a Fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (FACOG). She is also board-certified in obstetrics and gynecology by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology, which is a non-profit organization that provides board certification for practicing obstetricians and gynecologists in the United States and Canada.

Working hard and feeling it is a privilege to be involved in so many patients’ lives, Dr. Friend loves being able to educate the patients that she sees, deliver their babies, as well as help them through surgeries or problems such as preconception counseling, contraception, or menopause.

Obstetrics and Gynecology is the medical specialty that encompasses the two subspecialties of obstetrics (covering pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period) and gynecology (covering the health of the female reproductive system – vagina, uterus, ovaries, and breasts). An obstetrician-gynecologist, or OB-GYN, is a healthcare professional who specializes in female reproductive health. 

Happily married, Dr. Friend and her husband make exercise or physical activity a family event on the weekends and include the children. She relieves stress by getting her heart rate up, which is why she loves to run or hike in the hills where she lives. “I advise finding an outlet to relieve stress, whether it’s exercise, meditation, music, or talking to friends. Good nutrition and restful sleep are important too” expressed the doctor. 

In honor of her clinical expertise, she is the recipient of Compassionate Doctor Recognition (2012, 2015, 2017), On-Time Doctor Award (2015, 2017), and Patients’ Choice Award (2012, 2015, 2017).

Learn More about Dr. Diana J. Friend:

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