Beverly Hills plastic surgeon Ronald Moy died on June 23 from complications following neck surgery, according to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner. He was 68 years old.
The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s office listed the cause of death as “complications from neck surgery” and ruled the death accidental. The case remains open, according to the examiner’s website. Moy passed away at a hospital, though the exact circumstances surrounding the fatal surgery remain unclear.
Moy was a leading plastic surgeon with Moy, Fincher, Chipps Facial Plastics and Dermatology Group on North Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills. The practice also maintained locations in Encino and Torrance.
Throughout his career, Moy held prestigious positions in medical organizations. He served as president of the American Academy of Dermatology, American Society of Dermatologic Surgeons, and American Board of Facial Cosmetic Surgery. He was also a professor at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, where he previously served as Co-Chief of the UCLA division of Dermatology and former Chief of Dermatologic Surgery.
Moy completed his dermatology residency training at UCLA and was a member of the American College of Mohs Surgery, American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, and American Board of Facial Cosmetic Surgery. He published more than 200 scholarly articles on cosmetic and dermatologic surgery and treatments.
The surgeon specialized in various procedures including facelifts, liposuction, laser skin resurfacing, eye lifts, and Mohs micrographic surgery. This specialized procedure treats skin cancer lesions by removing thin layers of skin one at a time and examining each layer under a microscope to determine if any cancer remains. The procedure continues until only cancer-free tissue remains.
Moy had conducted more than 30,000 Mohs micrographic surgical procedures and facial plastic surgery cases over 25 years of clinical practice at the time of his death. He recently received the Samuel J. Stegman, MD Award for Distinguished Service.
The practice developed a substantial social media following, where Moy provided skincare tips and cosmetic advice. He reportedly worked with celebrities in the past, providing treatments like DNA facials to A-listers including Christina Aguilera and Lea Michele.
In 2021, Moy launched the skincare line Cellular MD with his daughter, Lauren Moy, who also worked with him at their practice. In a 2024 interview with Practical Dermatology, Moy expressed his pleasure in seeing his daughter flourish in dermatology. “It is a pleasure seeing her flourish in dermatology on a daily basis,” he noted, adding that he shared an office with her where they could discuss medical cases throughout the day.
Moy indicated that on a personal level, he enjoyed seeing short videos of his grandson during lunchtime. His daughter Lauren worked alongside him in the family practice, continuing the medical tradition.
As recently as January 2025, Moy posted on Instagram about the importance of Erbium laser treatment for effectively targeting sun damage on the chest while eliminating precancerous cells to help prevent skin cancer. This demonstrated his continued commitment to patient education and preventive care.
The surgeon’s website described him as “one of the leading cosmetic and facial plastic surgeons in Los Angeles.” His academic contributions were substantial, with his extensive publication record reflecting his expertise in both cosmetic and dermatologic surgery techniques.
Moy’s death represents a significant loss to the Beverly Hills medical community and the field of dermatologic surgery. His extensive experience, particularly in Mohs micrographic surgery, made him a respected figure among his peers and patients.
The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s office has not released additional details about the circumstances surrounding the neck surgery that led to his death. The investigation into his death continues as an open case.
