Choll W. Kim, M.D., Ph.D.
Associate Clinical Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery
“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.-
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.
Dr. Kim was born in Rangoon, Burma – Nov 13, 1964. He currently lives in Scripps Ranch with his wife, Jacquie, son Alex (born11/17/94) and daughter Jessica (born 8/8/97).
Certification and Licensure
Certification: American Board of Orthopaedic Surgeons
California State Medical License: A064323
Qualified Medical Evaluator: QME #955174
Educational Background and Special Training
Mayo Clinic
Fellowship in Spine Surgery - June 2002
University of California, San Diego
Residency in Orthopaedic Surgery - July 2001
Harvard Medical School
M.D. Graduation with Honors, cum laude - June 1996
University of California, Los Angeles
Ph.D. in Molecular Biology - August 1992
University of California, San Diego
B.A./M.S. in Biology, Combined 5-year program - June 1987
Administrative/Academic Activites
Director, Society for Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery: June 2006 - present
President, San Diego Chapter - Western Orthopaedic Association: 2007 - present
SAS Journal, Associate Editor, MIS Section: 2006 – present
UCSD Spine Fellowship, International Program Director: July 2004 - 2008
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons – Active Fellow - March 2006-present
FDA Orthopaedic Devices Panel - Voting Member - Jun 2004-2008
Director Spine Research Program - Jan 2005-present
Course Director for Surgery 401 and 427 - July 2003-2007
UCSD Medical School ISP Liaison - Feb 2005-2008
Manuscript Reviewer – The Spine - Jun 2003-present
Manuscript Reviewer – Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research - Apr 2005-present
Treasurer/Secretary, San Diego Chapter – Western Orthopaedic Association - Jul 2003 -2007
Member, North American Spine Society - Nov 2001 - present
Faculty, Stein Institute for Research in Aging - Aug 2002 - present
Orthopaedic Research Advisory Committee - Jan 2003 - present
Instructional Course Lectures, MIS Program Moderator - Feb 2009
Awards And Honors
World Congress of Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery & Techniques: 2008 Lyman Smith Award, Best Basic Science Presentation - June 2008
Expert Consultant for ABC News - May 2007
Fourth Annual Asian Heritage Awards – Nominee - May 2007
VA Merit Review Entry Program Grant - Jan 2004
UCSD Academic Senate Grant - Apr 2003, Jun 2007
Academic Geriatric Resource Center Award - February 2003
OREF Zimmer Award - January 2003
California Orthopaedic Association Lloyd W. Taylor Award - Feb 2000
James Esch Award for Best Clinical Research - Jun 1999
Honors in Special Field, cum laude – Harvard Medical School - June 1996
Selected Speaker, Harvard Medical School Research Assembly - June 1994
Harvard Medical School Student Research Fellowship - Terms 1993 and 1994
Mandel Scholarship – UCLA - Term 1991
United States Public Health Service National Research Awards - Terms 1988, 1989, 1990
UCLA Graduate Division Scholarship - Term 1987
Academic Interests
Computer-assisted Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery
Image-guidance and Spinal Navigation
Endoscopic Diskectomy Surgery
Minimally Invasive Spinal Fusion
Thoracoscopic Spinal Surgery
Direct Lateral Interbody Fusion (DLIF/XLIF)
Spinal Tumor
Spinal Infections
Adult Scoliosis
Practice Information:
Spine Institute of San Diego
Center for Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery
6719 Alvarado Road, Suite 308, San Diego, CA 92120
Appointments: (619) 265-7912
Fax: (619) 265-7922
E-mail: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)