DR KOTTON:
INNOVATE, HEAL, THRIVE.
Revolutionizing care with The Kotton Method, blending PM&R, Functional Medicine, and global health logistics.
I didn’t become a physician just to practice medicine. I became one to make a difference. For as long as I can remember, I’ve wanted to connect deeply with people, learn their stories, and guide them toward healthier, more empowered lives. That drive has never left me. I grew up in Southern California, originally from South Africa, in a family of physician-scientists who modeled service, innovation, and excellence. My grandparents, one a pioneering cytogeneticist, the other a plastic surgeon, taught me that science and humanity must walk hand in hand. I vividly remember, as a child, seeing my grandmother on the news in South Africa, volunteering in the township of Alexandra to care for the community. Even after immigrating to the U.S., that image stayed with me. It inspired me profoundly and became part of the foundation for why I chose medicine, a calling rooted in service, compassion, and the belief that healthcare must be deeply human.
I earned degrees in Physiology, Neuroscience, and Cognitive Science from UC San Diego, my M.D. from Tel Aviv University, and completed dual residency training in PM&R and Pediatrics at MossRehab, followed by fellowship training in Functional Medicine. This diverse training gave me a systems-level perspective, something I’ve relied on when caring for some of the most complex patients, from ICU recoveries to long-term health planning. At Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, I was tasked with developing the Pediatric Rehabilitation Program and the High-Risk Infant Neurodevelopmental Clinic for at-risk neonates, babies facing potential brain injury and neurodevelopmental delays. In caring for these children and their families, I saw how fragmented, under-resourced, and difficult to navigate the system truly was. I began searching the world for better solutions, meeting patients, collaborating with colleagues abroad, and seeking innovative therapies. Alongside this, I actively fundraised to build programs and secure critical resources. This brought me into close collaboration with world leaders, philanthropists, and changemakers, where I learned to reject the status quo and approach healthcare with boldness, ambition, and resolve.
These experiences became the foundation for a new kind of practice, one that anticipates needs, coordinates care seamlessly and integrates the best resources available anywhere in the world. Over time, my model expanded to include neurorehabilitation for children and adults, anti-aging, longevity, and Healthspan optimization. Today, as Founder & Chief Medical Officer of Bespoke Health by KottonMD, I lead a platform for high-touch medical operations and global health logistics for discerning individuals and family offices. We unite advanced diagnostics, functional and rehabilitative medicine, digital health innovations, and a curated global network of specialists into a seamless, patient-first experience, free from insurance mandates, quotas, or investor pressures.
In addition to my role at KottonMD, I serve as Clinical Chief of the Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and Asst. Professor at the UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine. I’ve had the privilege of serving as medical council to world leaders, governments, Fortune 500 boards, and as an appointed member of NATO’s expert committee on regenerative medicine and battlefield rehabilitation. For over two decades, I’ve remained deeply committed to caring for children with disabilities, especially those with cerebral palsy, both domestically and around the world. Leading and collaborating on missions that bring advanced neurorehabilitation to underserved communities remains one of my greatest professional and personal joys. I am equally passionate about supporting adaptive athletics for children with disabilities, because I’ve seen firsthand how sport can inspire, empower, and transform lives.
My ambitions reach far beyond my current practice. I’m building a model to democratize access to truly connected, proactive healthcare by developing digital health infrastructure and new systems of care. I believe the same meticulous, anticipatory approach we bring to high-stakes cases should be available to people everywhere, regardless of geography or means. This vision includes partnering with patients and premier health institutions around the world to advance technologies, integrate cutting-edge therapeutics, and bring forward clinical trials that redefine what’s possible in medicine. Outside of medicine, I find joy in nature, gardening, traveling, learning from different cultures, and sharing life with my wife Stephanie and our son. I’m grateful for my family, my mentors, and my patients, for trusting me with their care and for inspiring me to keep building something better. I’ve been a professional rugby player, marathoner, and polo enthusiast, and I bring the same teamwork, resilience, and focus to medicine that I once brought to the field. I love science, but I love people more. My mission is simple: to create a healthcare experience rooted in trust, connection, and innovation, one I would want for my own family, and one that helps people everywhere live longer, healthier, and more meaningful lives.
