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"I spent twenty years learning how to diagnose and treat patients with spinal disease; but the most important education I obtained was when my father became ill and I experienced what it is like to be on the other end of the relationship. I decided that caring for my patients requires not only that I am capable of performing state-of-the-art surgeries, but that I must care for my patients emotionally, and treat them as I would like my own family to be treated…with respect, concern, and empathy for their overall well being and the well being of their family and friends who love them."
Choll W. Kim, M.D., Ph.D. Associate Clinical Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery
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Dr. Choll Kim graduated cum laude from Harvard Medical School and completed his fellowship training in complex spine surgery at the Mayo Clinic. He is board certified by American Board of Orthopaedic Surgeons.
Dr. Kim is a nationally known expert in the modern field of computer-assisted minimally invasive spine surgery. He has trained specialists throughout the country on the safe and effective application of state-of-the-art techniques using image guidance and navigation technologies.
Dr. Kim utilizes a broad range of minimally invasive treatments to effectively treat all aspects of complex spinal disorders, including spinal stenosis, spinal deformities (such as scoliosis, spondylolisthesis, and kyphosis), traumatic injuries, tumors, and infections throughout the entire spine from the neck to the low back.
A leader in his field, Dr. Kim is the founder of the Society for Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery (SMISS), director of the Minimally Invasive Spine Center at Alvarado Hospital and associate clinical professor at UCSD. He is a Qualified Medical Evaluator and a past voting member of the FDA Orthopedic Devices Panel which reviews all new spinal technologies. Additionally, Dr. Kim is an active member of the North American Spine Society and the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and past-president of the San Diego Chapter of the Western Orthopaedic Association. He has nearly 200 publications and presentations.