Dr. Choll W. Kim, MD, PhD
Spine Specialist
15611 Pomerado Rd, Ste 505, Poway, CA 92064
At a glance
Accepts 16 insurances
Aetna, Anthem Blue Cross, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, BlueCross BlueShield, Cigna, more+ ·
Has 20+ years of experience
Graduated from Harvard University
Works at San Diego Spine Institute
2 office locations
Affiliated with Alvarado Hospital Medical Center
and Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla
5.00
3 reviews
Bedside manner
5.0
Wait time
4.0
Recent reviews
Excellent. Dr. Kim takes your situation personally, and does "everything" he can to improve your quality of life.
More than 1 year agoMB
Office locations
1
1.
San Diego Spine Institute
15611 Pomerado Rd, Ste 505, Poway, CA, 92064
2
2.
San Diego Spine Institute
6719 Alvarado Rd, Ste 308, San Diego, CA, 92120
Choll W. Kim does not participate in Zocdoc to offer online booking at this time
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Neurosurgeon
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In-network insurances
Aetna
BlueCross BlueShield
Cigna
Aetna
BlueCross BlueShield
Cigna
Areas of expertise
This doctor's experience enhances their expertise in similar cases. Below are the conditions or surgeries they treat most frequently.
Neck pain and spine problems
Lower back pain
Spinal deformity or curvature
Spinal fusion
Neck pain and spine problems
Lower back pain
Spinal deformity or curvature
Spinal fusion
More about Dr. Choll W. Kim, MD, PhD
“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).
Education & experience
Education
Medical School - Harvard University
Mayo Clinic, Fellowship in Spine Surgery
University of California, San Diego, Residency in Orthopedic Surgery
University of California, Los Angeles (PhD)
Practice
San Diego Spine Institute
Affiliation
Alvarado Hospital Medical Center
Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla
Certifications
American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery
Professional memberships
Society for Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery
North American Spine Society
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
San Diego Chapter of the Western Orthopaedic Association
Awards and publications
Castle Connolly Top Doctor
America’s Top Doctor by Castle Connolly (11th Edition) - Jan 2012
World Congress of Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery & Techniques: 2008
California Orthopaedic Association Lloyd W. Taylor Award - Feb 2000
Expert Consultant for ABC News - May 2007
James Esch Award for Best Clinical Research - Jun 1999
McGovern SC, Sethuraman V, Kim CW, Osman DR, Cohen-Gadol A, Larson DR, Huddleston PM, Thielen KR, Yaszemski MJ, Currier BL. Efficacy of Image-guided Biopsy for Suspected Spinal Infection. Spine Journal
Ward SR, Kim CW, Eng CM, Gottschalk LJ, Tomiya A, Garfin SR, Lieber RL. Architectural analysis and intraoperative measurements demonstrate the unique design of the multifidus muscle for lumbar spine stability. J Bone Join Surg Am 2009, Jan 91(1), 176-85.
Webb J, Gottschalk L, Lee YP, Garfin S, Kim CW. Surgeon Perceptions of Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery. SAS Journal 2008, Volume 2, Issue 2, 145-149, 2008.
Choo AD, Regev G, Garfin SR, Kim CW. Surgeon’s Perceptions of Spinal Navigation: Analysis of Key Factors Affecting the Lack of Adoption of Spinal Navigation Technology. SAS Journal 2(4): 189-94, 2008
Harvard Medical School - Cum Laude
Founder - Society for Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery (SMISS)
Background
Languages spoken
English
Spanish
Gender
Male
NPI number
#1124043765
Choll W. Kim does not participate in Zocdoc to offer online booking at this time
Similar providers on Zocdoc
Top-rated
Closest to you
Available today
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Spine Surgeon
15 mi6260 El Camino Real, Ste 201, Carlsbad, CA, 92009
Next available: Apr 23Offers telehealth
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Dr. Kamshad Raiszadeh, MD
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Dr. Evan Winograd, MD
Neurosurgeon
4.6411 reviews
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Next available: May 5
4.6411 reviews
17.5 mi6125 Paseo Del Norte, Ste. 140, Carlsbad, CA, 92011
Next available: May 5
Dr. Brandon Hirsch, MD
Spine Surgeon
15 mi6260 El Camino Real, Ste 201, Carlsbad, CA, 92009
Next available: Apr 23Offers telehealth
15 mi6260 El Camino Real, Ste 201, Carlsbad, CA, 92009
Next available: Apr 23Offers telehealth
Dr. Kamshad Raiszadeh, MD
Orthopedic Surgeon
5.001 reviews
13 mi777 N. El, Camino Real, Encinitas, CA, 92024
5.001 reviews
13 mi777 N. El, Camino Real, Encinitas, CA, 92024
Dr. Evan Winograd, MD
Neurosurgeon
4.6411 reviews
17.5 mi6125 Paseo Del Norte, Ste. 140, Carlsbad, CA, 92011
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17.5 mi6125 Paseo Del Norte, Ste. 140, Carlsbad, CA, 92011
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Dr. Brandon Hirsch, MD
Spine Surgeon
15 mi6260 El Camino Real, Ste 201, Carlsbad, CA, 92009
Next available: Apr 23Offers telehealth
15 mi6260 El Camino Real, Ste 201, Carlsbad, CA, 92009
Next available: Apr 23Offers telehealth
Dr. Kamshad Raiszadeh, MD
Orthopedic Surgeon
5.001 reviews
13 mi777 N. El, Camino Real, Encinitas, CA, 92024
5.001 reviews
13 mi777 N. El, Camino Real, Encinitas, CA, 92024
Dr. Evan Winograd, MD
Neurosurgeon
4.6411 reviews
17.5 mi6125 Paseo Del Norte, Ste. 140, Carlsbad, CA, 92011
Next available: May 5
4.6411 reviews
17.5 mi6125 Paseo Del Norte, Ste. 140, Carlsbad, CA, 92011
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Patient reviews
All reviews have been submitted by patients after interacting with the practice.
Overall rating
5.00
Wait time
4.00
Bedside manner
5.00
Your trust is our top concern, so providers can't pay to alter or remove reviews. We also don't publish reviews that contain any private patient health information. Learn more here
3 reviews
Most relevant
Excellent. Dr. Kim takes your situation personally, and does "everything" he can to improve your quality of life.
More than 1 year agoMB
Very progressive, personable, helpful.
More than 1 year agoJN
More than 1 year agoAB
Which hospital is Dr. Choll W. Kim affiliated with?
Dr. Choll W. Kim is affiliated with Alvarado Hospital Medical Center and Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla.
What practice does Dr. Choll W. Kim work with?
Dr. Choll W. Kim works with San Diego Spine Institute.
Where is Dr. Choll W. Kim's office located?
Dr. Choll W. Kim has 2 office locations, including in Poway and San Diego, view full addresses on Dr. Kim's profile.
Which board certifications does Dr. Choll W. Kim have?
Dr. Choll W. Kim is certified by American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery.
What are common reasons for patients to see Dr. Choll W. Kim?
Dr. Choll W. Kim frequently sees patients for Back Pain, Back Problems, Orthopedic Consultation, Orthopedic Follow Up, and Spine Deformation / Scoliosis . You can see other visit reasons for Dr. Choll W. Kim on their profile.
What languages does Dr. Choll W. Kim speak?
Dr. Choll W. Kim speaks English and Spanish.
How do patients rate Dr. Choll W. Kim in reviews?
3 patients have reviewed Dr. Choll W. Kim. The overall rating for this doctor is 5/5. They have a 5/5 rating for bedside manner and a 4/5 rating for wait time. You can read individual reviews and ratings on their profile.