
Languages Spoken: English
Dr. Kim received his Bachelor of Arts from The Johns Hopkins University and his Doctor of Medicine from Jefferson Medical College. He completed his residency in General Surgery at the University of Massachusetts School of Medicine which included a two-year research fellowship in liver regeneration and cancer.
Following his residency, Dr. Kim went on to the University of Toronto and the Hospital for Sick Children for his Fellowship in adult and pediatric Multiorgan Transplantation and Hepatobiliary Surgery. Here, he gained expertise in the surgical management of liver, biliary and pancreatic diseases. This training balanced both a transplantation and oncologic approach.
Dr. Kim spent 5 years as faculty at the University of Florida, where he developed a robust practice specializing in surgery for diseases of the liver, biliary tree and the pancreas. Patients needing complex hepatobiliary surgery, including laparoscopic liver resections, were referred to him throughout the Southeast. He was also heavily involved with pediatric and adult transplantation of the liver, kidney and pancreas, and was the Director of pediatric and adult liver transplantation. Dr. Kim’s basic science research focused on the cellular mechanisms of liver cancer growth, and his educational activities included being the ASTS Fellowship Director.
Dr. Kim's clinical practice spans the University Hospital, the Huntsman Cancer Institute and Primary Children’s Medical Center. Through his experience and expertise, Dr. Kim has fortified the University’s ability to treat diseases of the liver, biliary tract and pancreas.
Clinical Locations
801-585-6140
Primary Children's Hospital
Pediatric Gastroenterology801-585-6140
Transplant Center
801-585-6320
Board Certification and Academic Information
Academic Departments | Surgery
-
Professor Pediatrics - Adjunct Associate Professor |
Academic Divisions | Pediatric Gastroenterology Transplantation and Advanced Hepatobiliary Surgery |
Board Certification | American Board of Surgery (Sub: General Surgery) National Board of Medical Examiners |
Patient Rating
The Patient Rating score is an average of all responses to care provider related questions on our nationally-recognized Press Ganey Patient Satisfaction Survey.
Responses are measured on a scale of 1 to 5 with 5 being the best score.
Likelihood of recommending care provider
4.7/ 5

Care provider's explanation of condition/problem
4.7/ 5

Care provider's effort to include me in decisions
4.7/ 5

Wait time at clinic
4.5/ 5

Care provider's concern for questions & worries
4.7/ 5

Patient Comments
Patient comments are gathered from our Press Ganey Patient Satisfaction Survery and displayed in their entirety. Patients are de-identified for confidentiality and patient privacy.
UofU Patient
February 03, 2022
UH HOSPITALS AND CLINICS
Dr Kim treated me like nothing but a defect. I'll never come back and I'll never recommend him
UofU Patient
January 31, 2022
UH HOSPITALS AND CLINICS
Good
UofU Patient
November 26, 2021
UH HOSPITALS AND CLINICS
My MRI and CT scan were explained and I was shown the location of the hemangioma. Possible but unlikely problems this could cause were discussed. Symptoms which might make me consider surgery were presented. Although my husband who is a physician, was present, Dr. Kim and Cody Alley always talked directly to me in a way that I could understand.
UofU Patient
September 05, 2021
UH HOSPITALS AND CLINICS
All in all great experience
UofU Patient
August 14, 2021
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
Great team no punches pulled
UofU Patient
May 24, 2021
UH HOSPITALS AND CLINICS
Dr. Kim spent over an hour on the virtual visit with me, and answered all of my questions. Only critical feedback we had was that it would have been helpful to have known more medical terms for what's going on so we could do some research on things. But overall, very good visit and we were provided helpful information that was easy to understand.
UofU Patient
April 17, 2021
UH HOSPITALS AND CLINICS
Excellent care
UofU Patient
March 21, 2021
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
very good first time examine.
UofU Patient
January 09, 2021
UH HOSPITALS AND CLINICS
Good
UofU Patient
November 18, 2020
UH HOSPITALS AND CLINICS
A translator was provided so that [NAME REMOVED] could understand everything.
UofU Patient
August 02, 2020
UH HOSPITALS AND CLINICS
my doctor had me walk which I was happy to show how much stronger and healthier I am today compared to. what i I was a year ago and was excited and happy to show them. they all remember me from a year ago which I thought was amazing because there are Soo many patients. they all seem like they really care about me!
Dr. Kim received his Bachelor of Arts from The Johns Hopkins University and his Doctor of Medicine from Jefferson Medical College. He completed his residency in General Surgery at the University of Massachusetts School of Medicine which included a two-year research fellowship in liver regeneration and cancer.
Following his residency, Dr. Kim went on to the University of Toronto and the Hospital for Sick Children for his Fellowship in adult and pediatric Multiorgan Transplantation and Hepatobiliary Surgery. Here, he gained expertise in the surgical management of liver, biliary and pancreatic diseases. This training balanced both a transplantation and oncologic approach.
Dr. Kim spent 5 years as faculty at the University of Florida, where he developed a robust practice specializing in surgery for diseases of the liver, biliary tree and the pancreas. Patients needing complex hepatobiliary surgery, including laparoscopic liver resections, were referred to him throughout the Southeast. He was also heavily involved with pediatric and adult transplantation of the liver, kidney and pancreas, and was the Director of pediatric and adult liver transplantation. Dr. Kim’s basic science research focused on the cellular mechanisms of liver cancer growth, and his educational activities included being the ASTS Fellowship Director.
Dr. Kim's clinical practice spans the University Hospital, the Huntsman Cancer Institute and Primary Children’s Medical Center. Through his experience and expertise, Dr. Kim has fortified the University’s ability to treat diseases of the liver, biliary tract and pancreas.
Academic Locations
Board Certification and Academic Information
Academic Departments | Surgery
-
Professor Pediatrics - Adjunct Associate Professor |
Academic Divisions | Pediatric Gastroenterology Transplantation and Advanced Hepatobiliary Surgery |
Board Certification | American Board of Surgery (Sub: General Surgery) National Board of Medical Examiners |
Research Interests
- Liver Cancer
- Adenoma, Liver Cell
- Liver Failure
- Liver Regeneration
- Liver Transplantation
- Cholangiocarcinoma
- Markers for Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Education History
Fellowship | University of Toronto Hepatobiliary/Pancreatic Surgery and Multiorgan Transplantat Fellow, 2005 |
Residency | University of Massachusetts Medical Center General Surgery Resident, 2003 |
Research Fellow | University of Massachusetts Medical Center Research Fellow, 2000 |
Professional Medical | Jefferson Medical College Medicine M.D., 1996 |
Undergraduate | The Johns Hopkins University Biology and French B.A., 1992 |
Other Training | The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Department of Physiology Research Assistant , 1990 |
Other Training | The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Department of Medicine Research Assistant , 1989 |
Selected Publications - Journal Articles
Journal Article
- Gallegos-orozco J F, Kim R, Thiesset H F, Hatch J, Lynch K, Chaly T Jr Shihab F, Ahmed F, Hall I, Campsen J (11/22/2016). Early Results of Pilot Study Using Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Positive Kidneys to Transplant HCV Infected Patients with End-Stage Renal Disease Allowing for Successful Interferon-Free Direct Acting Antiviral Therapy after Transplantation. Cureus.
- Zendejas-Ruiz I, Hemming AW, Chen C, Schwartz JJ, Sorensen JB, Kim RD (2012). Recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma in liver transplant recipients with hepatitis C. J Gastrointest Cancer, 43(2), 229-35.
- Schwartz JJ, Thiesset HF, Bohn JA, Sloat B, Carricaburu M, Hatch J, Sorensen JB, Kim RD, Vargo D, Fryer JP (2012). Perceived benefits of a transplant surgery experience to general surgery residency training. J Surg Educ, 69(3), 371-84.
- Schwartz JJ, Pappas L, Thiesset HF, Vargas G, Sorensen JB, Kim RD, Hutson WR, Boucher K, Box T (2012). Liver transplantation in septuagenarians receiving model for end-stage liver disease exception points for hepatocellular carcinoma: the national experience. Liver Transpl, 18(4), 423-33.
- Kim RD, Mizuno S, Sorensen JB, Schwartz JJ, Fujita S (2012). Impact of calcineurin inhibitors on hepatitis C recurrence after liver transplantation. Dig Dis Sci, 57(2), 568-72.
- Kim RD, Book L, Haafiz A, Schwartz JJ, Sorensen JB, Gonzalez-Peralta RP (2011). Liver transplantation in a 7-month-old girl with Caroli's disease. J Pediatr Surg, 46(8), 1638-41.
- Kim RD, Fujikawa T, Mizuno S, Schwartz JJ, Sorensen JB, Hemming AW, Fujita S (2011). Adult post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease in the liver graft in patients with recurrent hepatitis C. Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol, 23(7), 559-65.
- Schwartz J, Vargas G, Thiesset H, Stoddard G, Kim R, Sorensen J, Kraiss L (2011). Revisiting the Issue of VTE in the Setting of Chronic Liver Disease: An Examination of National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Data. Chest, 139(6), 1544-5.
- Hemming AW, Mekeel K, Khanna A, Baquerizo A, Kim RD (2011). Portal vein resection in management of hilar cholangiocarcinoma. J Am Coll Surg, 212(4), 604-13; discussion 613-6.
- Iida T, Sawada N, Takahashi M, Zendejas IR, Kayler LK, Magliocca JF, Kim RD, Hemming AW, Fujita S (2010). Successful treatment of invasive mucormycosis in a liver transplant patient by arm amputation. Transplant Proc, 42(7), 2794-6.
- Hemming AW, Magliocca JF, Fujita S, Kayler LK, Hochwald S, Zendejas I, Kim RD (2010). Combined resection of the liver and pancreas for malignancy. J Am Coll Surg, 210(5), 808-14, 814-6.
- Grobmyer SR, Hemming AW, Harris N, Behrns K, Logan H, Kim RD, Chang M, Cance WG, Hochwald SN (2009). A pilot prospective randomized trial of postoperative epoetin alfa in patients undergoing major operation for upper gastrointestinal malignancy. Am J Clin Oncol, 32(6), 570-3.
- Iida T, Zendejas IR, Kayler LK, Magliocca JF, Kim RD, Hemming AW, Gonzalez-Peralta RP, Fujita S (2009). Hepatocellular carcinoma in a 10-month-old biliary atresia child. Pediatr Transplant, 13(8), 1048-9.
- Kayler, LK, Magliocca J, Kim RD, Howard R, Schold JD (2009). Single kidney transplantation from young pediatric donors in the United States. Am J Transplant, 9(12), 2745-2751.
- Watanabe G, Behrns KE, Kim JS, Kim RD (2009). Heat shock protein 90 inhibition abrogates hepatocellular cancer growth through cdc2-mediated G2/M cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Cancer Chemother Pharmacol, 64(3), 433-43.
- Kim RD, Hemming AW (2009). Hepatocellular carcinoma: resection or transplantation. J Gastrointest Surg, 13(6), 1023-5.
- Kibbe MR, Troppmann C, Barnett CC Jr, Nwomeh BC, Olutoye OO, Doria C, Kim RD, Mankani MH, Corbett SA, Biffl WL, Schwarze ML (2009). Effect of educational debt on career and quality of life among academic surgeons. Ann Surg, 249(2), 342-8.
- Kayler LK, Garzon P, Magliocca J, Fujita S, Kim RD, Hemming AW, Howard R, Schold JD (2009). Outcomes and utilization of kidneys from deceased donors with acute kidney injury. Am J Transplant, 9(2), 367-73.
- Kim RD, Zendejas I, Velopulos C, Fujita S, Magliocca JF, Kayler LK, Liu C, Hemming AW (2009). Duplicate gallbladder arising from the left hepatic duct: report of a case. Surg Today, 39(6), 536-9.
Book Chapter
- Schwartz JJ, Sorensen JB, Kim RD (2013). Selection of Patients for Resection and Liver Transplantation. In Lau, WY (Eds.), Hilar Cholangiocarcinoma (2013). New York: Springer.
- Kim RD, Kim JS, Behrns KE (2011). Liver Regeneration and the Atrophy-Hypertrophy Complex. In Madoff DC, Makuuchi M, Nagino M, Vauthey JN (Eds.), Venous Embolization of the Liver: Radiological and Surgical Practice (1st Edition). New York City, NY: Springer.
- Kim RD, Hemming AW (2010). Vascular Resection for Hepatocellular Carcinoma. In McMasters KM, Vauthey JN (Eds.), Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Targeted Therapy and Multidisciplinary Care (1st Edition). New York City, NY: Springer.
Case Report
- Bleicher J, Kim RD, Hamilton B, Lau G, Campsen J (01/28/18). Backtable ureteroscopy for retrieval of retained stent or stone: A novel technique in renal autotransplant. Urol Case Rep.
Global Impact
Education History
Fellowship | University of Toronto Hepatobiliary/Pancreatic Surgery and Multiorgan Transplantat Fellow |