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Meet the faces behind the ideas, businesses, and movements shaping San Diego
Whether you’re searching for a luxury vintage treasure, a brand-new engagement ring, or a Rolex watch that looks brand new but costs less, San Diego residents know there’s only one place to go: Leo Hamel Fine Jewelers & Jewelry Buyers. Leo Hamel has been selling certified, high-quality jewelry, watches, and handbags for 45 years, creating not only a San Diego institution that’s consistently named the top jeweler in the city, but a family-oriented business San Diegans have trusted for generations.
Leo Hamel specializes in selling pre-owed watches and vintage jewelry. Every time you come in, you’ll find different, unique pieces from luxury brands like Tiffany’s and Rolex. Hamel was, in fact, the first person in San Diego to offer pre-owned Rolex and Patek Philippe watches, which led to him selling pre-owned watches from other coveted Swiss brands. Hamel understands that quality watches and jewelry are meant to last for decades, or even a lifetime. That’s why he and his team love restoring and refurbishing these older pieces for new owners—whether that means removing scratches, restoring the factory finish, or whatever else is needed. No matter the process, once the team is finished, the items look like new but are sold to customers at a much lower cost.
In addition to vintage jewelry, Leo Hamel sells vintage designer handbags, as well as new jewelry made from both Earth-mined and lab-grown diamonds and colored gemstones. The store also offers appraisals provided by a master gemologist and repairs completed by highly trained professionals, including a Swiss-trained watch repairman who works in-house. Plus, it buys, trades, and creates custom pieces. In other words, Leo Hamel provides a full-service jewelry store in every meaning of the word.
Hamel and his team never try to push sales on customers—or push customers outside of their intended budgets. The store offers a variety of products and services so that people can find the right purchase at the right price for them. Customer service is paramount to Hamel and his team members, many of whom have worked with him for decades. This gives them a level of expertise and experience that’s increasingly uncommon in retail stores today and is totally nonexistent when purchasing these sorts of items online. Hamel ensures his team uses that expertise and experience to benefit customers in every possible way.
Outside of his work at the store, Hamel takes great pride in giving back to the San Diego community where he was born and raised. He donates to several orphanages and hospitals each year, and is a strong supporter of the city’s law enforcement agencies, schools, and animal rescue organizations, among many other causes.
Leo Hamel Fine Jewelers & Jewelry Buyers
1851 San Diego Avenue, Suite 130, San Diego, California 92110 | 619-299-1500
Oceanside Jewelry & Gold Buyers
2530 Vista Way, Suite H, Oceanside, California 92054 | 760-757-2000
Solana Beach Jewelry & Gold Buyers
921 Lomas Santa Fe Drive, Solana Beach, California 92075 | 858-509-5900
La Mesa Jewelry & Gold Buyers
8911 La Mesa Boulevard, Suite 107, La Mesa, California 91941 | 619-644-0000
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The San Diego home remodeling company works on full homes, kitchens, bathrooms, home additions, ADUs, garages, landscapes, and hardscapes.
Most homeowners want two things before they commit to a remodel: a realistic sense of cost and a clear picture of what the finished space will look like. Milan Design + Build helps deliver both through its online remodeling estimator and personalized design consultations, supported by a showroom experience and 3D renderings.
“The online estimate gives homeowners a starting number in about a minute, and the showroom and 3D renderings let them see materials and layouts before anything is built,” says David Noriani, CEO of Milan Design + Build. “Keeping design, permits, and construction with one team helps us manage expectations and keep everyone working toward the same vision.”

Modern design is a particular focus for Milan, with an emphasis on clean lines, natural light, functional layouts, and carefully selected materials. The team adapts each design to the homeowner’s lifestyle and the character of the property. Milan Design + Build combines thoughtful design with construction expertise, creating spaces that are as functional as they are beautiful.
The online estimator covers kitchen remodels, bathroom renovations, full-home remodels, and ADU construction. At Milan’s showroom on Carroll Road, visitors can review real materials, finishes, and design options, meet the design-build team, and discuss project scope, budget, and timing. Consultations can also be held virtually for homeowners who prefer to start remotely.
At Milan Design + Build, one integrated team works on the entire project. Design and construction aren’t divided between separate firms. The process begins with a consultation and feasibility review, followed by design, space planning, and 3D renderings developed from detailed measurements and digital scans. The team also coordinates architectural plans, structural engineering, city approvals, and material selection, with construction overseen by a dedicated project manager.
Homeowners can explore their remodeling options, get an initial estimate, or request a design consultation at MilanBuild.com.

Clinical trials and physician-initiated studies bring new, innovative treatments to patients sooner
At any given time, there are roughly 200 research investigations and clinical trials being conducted at Scripps Health in as many as 25 medical specialties. Research and patient care go hand-in-hand at Scripps. Those studies can be categorized as clinical trials of a medication or device that are conducted by Scripps physicians and studies designed by Scripps’ physicians and clinicians. Click here to learn about three exciting studies underway at Scripps and the benefits to patients.
For more nutrition, wellness, and healthy living tips, sign up for the San Diego Health newsletter here.
New MyScripps mobile app features give patients more options to connect with their provider
Scripps has recently unveiled new features in the MyScripps patient portal and mobile app to help patients connect with their primary care team and simplify the payment process. Among the recent updates is the addition of primary care E-visits for minor conditions. Patients who have an established primary care physician can schedule an E-visit, complete an online questionnaire and, if needed, send a photo. Their doctor can then advise and prescribe medication, when appropriate. Autopay is also now available through MyScripps. Patients can enable or disable autopay, allowing them to more easily manage payments. Learn more about MyScripps and how it helps patients stay connected here.
For more nutrition, wellness, and healthy living tips, sign up for the San Diego Health newsletter here.
A cancer diagnosis forced a Carlsbad woman to prioritize her health. Now she’s using her story to inspire others.
Farrah Adams had a persistent dull ache in her lower back that her massage therapist suggested might be caused by the way she sat or drove. That explanation seemed reasonable, but when coupled with heavy, painful periods led the then 46-year-old to seek answers. When she looks back on it now, she’s beyond grateful she trusted her gut. She made an appointment with a Scripps OB-GYN, who determined she had Stage 3 cervical cancer that had spread to several lymph nodes. Farrah was overwhelmed, but immediately found a “champion” in Scripps Clinic gynecologic oncologist Jo Marie Tran Janco, MD. After undergoing successful treatment at Scripps Cancer Center, Farrah is now using her story to inspire other women to make time for care. Read more of her story here.
For more nutrition, wellness, and healthy living tips, sign up for the San Diego Health newsletter here.
Oral oncolytics provide certain patients with effective treatment without IV medication
In the last several years, there’s been a surge in FDA approvals for what’s known as oral oncolytics. Oral oncolytics are targeted cancer therapies that come in tablet, capsule or liquid form that patients can take at home, rather than in an infusion clinic. Scripps physicians have seen exponential growth using this approach, with patients citing convenience as a major quality-of-life enhancement in their cancer treatment. This approach also allows treatments to be customized based on specific genetic mutations and a patient’s unique disease biology. Find out more about oral oncolytics here.
For more nutrition, wellness, and healthy living tips, sign up for the San Diego Health newsletter here.
Meet San Diego’s leading healthcare professionals, delivering exceptional medical and dental care through innovation, expertise, and dedication to patients.
Unio Specialty Care is a multi-specialty practice specializing in urology, gastroenterology, and radiation oncology.
Unio’s Radiation Oncology team—Dr. Donald B. Fuller, Dr. Tahir Ijaz, Dr. Reza Shirazi, and Dr. Siavosh Vakilian—combines extensive clinical experience with a commitment to personalized cancer care. The RO team treats cancerous and non-cancerous conditions using precision therapies including SBRT, IGRT, and the CyberKnife® S7 System, the only system of its kind in Southern California. Their expertise spans prostate, breast, lung, gastrointestinal, pancreatic, and central nervous system cancers, as well as low-dose radiotherapy for osteoarthritis.
In 2026, Dr. Shirazi and Dr. Vakilian were recognized as San Diego Top Doctors, joining Dr. Fuller and Dr. Ijaz, who have previously received this distinction.
Visit
5395 Ruffin Rd, Suite 103, San Diego, CA 92103 | 858-221-9135
@uniospecialtycare | uniospecialtycare.com