LOS ANGELES (Jan. 11, 2021) — Internationally prominent gynecologic oncologist Kenneth H. Kim, MD, recently was selected to direct the Division of Gynecologic Oncology at Cedars-Sinai Cancer. He also serves as chair of the cancer center’s Committee for Oversight of Training and Education.
The selection of Kim, following a national search, reflects his breadth of experience as a clinician, researcher and educator in the field of gynecologic oncology, a specialty that encompasses the diagnosis and treatment of cancers located on a woman’s reproductive organs. Kim’s work involves novel treatments for gynecologic cancers, advances in robotic surgery, and education through post-graduate levels and beyond.
“Dr. Kim is an exceptional addition to our faculty,” said Dan Theodorescu, MD, PhD, director of Cedars-Sinai Cancer. “His reputation as a physician-scientist and educator who has made major contributions to the field of gynecologic oncology will elevate the national reputations of both the Division of Gynecologic Oncology and the Cedars-Sinai Women’s Cancer Program.”
Kim said his chief goal for the Division of Gynecologic Oncology is to continue to increase the clinical trials Cedars-Sinai Cancer offers and expand access to increase the number of patients the center serves, providing an even higher level of care.
“We currently perform the most surgical cases of this kind in California,” Kim added. “Our mission now is to build the best gynecology oncology program in the nation, focusing on research and training.”
To that end, Kim is incorporating additional comprehensive training in both the medical and immunotherapeutic treatments of patients, and continuing to train fellows in the most advanced surgical techniques and technologies in managing women’s cancers.
“The Division of Gynecologic Oncology at Cedars is already a collection of truly top-notch, nationally and internationally recognized experts,” Kim said. “I look forward to taking it to the next level.”
Several clinical trials are imminent in the gynecologic oncology division, Kim said, including a “unique study” he hopes will improve the way patients are tested and screened for human papillomavirus (HPV). Researchers are evaluating a self-collection test, which may help identify HPV earlier for those with limited access to care. This work is a large multidisciplinary effort with Cedars-Sinai Cancer researchers in the Cancer Prevention & Control program.
Kim, who also is the Board of Governors Endowed Chair in Gynecologic Oncology, said that Cedars-Sinai Cancer’s pioneering fellowship training program in gynecologic oncology–which began in the early 1970s–played a key role in his decision to join the Cedars-Sinai faculty.
“In medicine, learning is a team sport in which there are people with varying levels of skill and experience who need mentoring, no matter their level,” Kim said. “My goal is always to support and guide the team, so everyone understands the ‘why’ and the ‘how’ behind what we’re doing, especially the patient. Cedars-Sinai has a long legacy of producing leaders who move on to make significant contributions to the field.”
Kim joins Cedars-Sinai from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, where he was an associate professor in the Division of Gynecologic Oncology. He also served as the director of Multispecialty Robotic Training and Education for the last three years and as associate fellowship program director in the Division of Gynecologic Oncology for the last four years. Prior to that, he served as faculty and associate residency director at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Kim earned his medical degree from the Medical College of Ohio. He completed his residency at The Ohio State University in Obstetrics and Gynecology, and a fellowship in gynecologic oncology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Kim also earned a master’s degree in Health Professions Education from the University of Cincinnati.
