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Dr. Choll Kim, MD

Dr. Choll Kim, MD

Minimally Invasive Orthopedic Spine Surgery*
25+ years of experience

Dr. Choll Kim, MD is a minimally invasive orthopedic spine surgery specialist in San Diego, CA and has over 25 years of experience in the medical field. He graduated from HARVARD Medical School in 1996. He is affiliated with medical facilities such as Alvarado Hospital Medical Center and UC San Diego Health Hillcrest Hillcrest Medical Center. He is accepting new patients and telehealth appointments.

4.1 Star Rating
Based on 75 reviews 4.1 Star Rating (75 reviews)

Excel Spine Center

6719 Alvarado Rd Ste 304 San Diego, CA 92120
Telehealth available

Make an Appointment

(619) 344-6918

Hospital Highlight

Dr. Kim is affiliated with UC San Diego Health Hillcrest Hillcrest Medical Center San Diego, a highly rated and top awarded hospital for orthopedic surgery.

At a Glance

  • Area of Expertise
    Dr. Kim specializes in the area of Orthopedic Surgery. • See board certifications
  • Explains Conditions Well
    Patients said this doctor explains conditions well. • See reviews
  • Offers Telehealth
    This doctor offers telehealth appointments. Call the office to schedule an appointment.
  • Practices at Top Hospital
    Joint Replacement Excellence Award™ • See hospitals
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Dr. Kim's Reviews

Likelihood to recommend Dr. Kim

4.1

75 ratings, 26 with a written review
5 Star
75%
75%
4 Star
0%
0%
3 Star
1%
1%
2 Star
7%
7%
1 Star
17%
17%

Your trust is our top concern. Learn more.

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RecentHighestLowestMost Helpful
What went well
  • I felt respected
  • Appointment scheduling
  • Listened & answered questions
  • Explained conditions well
  • Staff friendliness
  • Appointment wasn't rushed
  • Trusted the provider's decisions
  • Wait times
What could be improved
No results
Helpful
Deb C – Apr 16, 2025
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What went well
  • I felt respected
  • Appointment scheduling
  • Listened & answered questions
  • Staff friendliness
  • Appointment wasn't rushed
What could be improved
No results
1 person found this helpful
Helpful
Lohutch – Aug 12, 2024
Hi there, thank you for taking the time to leave...Read More
×Post a ResponseAre you Dr. Choll Kim, MD?
What went well
  • I felt respected
  • Appointment scheduling
  • Listened & answered questions
  • Explained conditions well
  • Staff friendliness
  • Appointment wasn't rushed
  • Trusted the provider's decisions
  • Wait times
What could be improved
No results
1 person found this helpful
Helpful
Fred Aghajanian – Jul 21, 2024
×Post a ResponseAre you Dr. Choll Kim, MD?
Telehealth
What went well
  • I felt respected
  • Appointment scheduling
  • Listened & answered questions
  • Explained conditions well
  • Staff friendliness
  • Appointment wasn't rushed
  • Trusted the provider's decisions
  • Wait times
What could be improved
No results
1 person found this helpful
Helpful
Christian T. – Jun 25, 2024
×Post a ResponseAre you Dr. Choll Kim, MD?
What went well
  • I felt respected
  • Appointment scheduling
  • Listened & answered questions
  • Explained conditions well
  • Staff friendliness
  • Appointment wasn't rushed
  • Trusted the provider's decisions
  • Wait times
What could be improved
No results
1 person found this helpful
Helpful
Mike King – Feb 22, 2024
×Post a ResponseAre you Dr. Choll Kim, MD?
What went well
  • I felt respected
  • Appointment scheduling
  • Listened & answered questions
  • Explained conditions well
  • Staff friendliness
  • Appointment wasn't rushed
  • Trusted the provider's decisions
  • Wait times
What could be improved
No results
2 people found this helpful
Helpful
Joe R. – Jan 27, 2024
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What went well
  • Staff friendliness
What could be improved
  • Didn't listen or answer questions
  • Didn't explain conditions well
  • Appointment was rushed
  • Didn't trust the provider's decisions
  • Long wait times
5 people found this helpful
Helpful
Dee – Nov 08, 2023
×Post a ResponseAre you Dr. Choll Kim, MD?
What went well
  • Appointment scheduling
  • Listened & answered questions
  • Explained conditions well
  • Staff friendliness
  • Trusted the provider's decisions
  • Wait times
What could be improved
No results
2 people found this helpful
Helpful
Robert J Santoro DDS – Oct 06, 2023
×Post a ResponseAre you Dr. Choll Kim, MD?
What went well
  • I felt respected
  • Appointment scheduling
  • Listened & answered questions
  • Explained conditions well
  • Staff friendliness
  • Appointment wasn't rushed
  • Trusted the provider's decisions
  • Wait times
What could be improved
No results
1 person found this helpful
Helpful
Sep 27, 2023
×Post a ResponseAre you Dr. Choll Kim, MD?
What went well
  • I felt respected
  • Appointment scheduling
  • Listened & answered questions
  • Explained conditions well
  • Staff friendliness
  • Appointment wasn't rushed
  • Trusted the provider's decisions
What could be improved
  • Long wait times
1 person found this helpful
Helpful
May 24, 2023
×Post a ResponseAre you Dr. Choll Kim, MD?
What went well
  • Appointment scheduling
  • Listened & answered questions
  • Explained conditions well
  • Staff friendliness
  • Appointment wasn't rushed
  • Trusted the provider's decisions
  • Wait times
What could be improved
No results
1 person found this helpful
Helpful
Rando Miller – Nov 30, 2022
×Post a ResponseAre you Dr. Choll Kim, MD?
What went well
  • Appointment scheduling
  • Listened & answered questions
  • Explained conditions well
  • Staff friendliness
  • Appointment wasn't rushed
  • Trusted the provider's decisions
What could be improved
  • Long wait times
1 person found this helpful
Helpful
Julien – Oct 05, 2022
×Post a ResponseAre you Dr. Choll Kim, MD?
What went well
  • Appointment scheduling
  • Listened & answered questions
  • Explained conditions well
  • Staff friendliness
  • Appointment wasn't rushed
  • Trusted the provider's decisions
  • Wait times
What could be improved
No results
Helpful
Mark D. – Aug 04, 2022
×Post a ResponseAre you Dr. Choll Kim, MD?
What went well
  • Appointment scheduling
  • Listened & answered questions
  • Explained conditions well
  • Staff friendliness
  • Appointment wasn't rushed
  • Trusted the provider's decisions
  • Wait times
What could be improved
No results
Helpful
Joe Granata – Aug 03, 2022
×Post a ResponseAre you Dr. Choll Kim, MD?
What went well
  • Listened & answered questions
  • Explained conditions well
  • Staff friendliness
  • Trusted the provider's decisions
What could be improved
No results
Helpful
ML – Jun 17, 2022
×Post a ResponseAre you Dr. Choll Kim, MD?
What went well
  • Appointment scheduling
  • Listened & answered questions
  • Explained conditions well
  • Staff friendliness
  • Appointment wasn't rushed
  • Trusted the provider's decisions
  • Wait times
What could be improved
No results
Helpful
Henry Bunsow – Jun 11, 2022
×Post a ResponseAre you Dr. Choll Kim, MD?
What went well
  • Appointment scheduling
  • Staff friendliness
  • Trusted the provider's decisions
What could be improved
  • Didn't listen or answer questions
  • Appointment was rushed
  • Long wait times
6 people found this helpful
Helpful
No relief from back pain for 5 years. – Jun 07, 2022
It is with a heavy heart that I am now hearing...Read More
×Post a ResponseAre you Dr. Choll Kim, MD?
What went well
No results
What could be improved
No results
5 people found this helpful
Helpful
Feb 11, 2022
×Post a ResponseAre you Dr. Choll Kim, MD?
What went well
  • Appointment scheduling
  • Listened & answered questions
  • Explained conditions well
  • Staff friendliness
  • Appointment wasn't rushed
  • Trusted the provider's decisions
  • Wait times
What could be improved
No results
10 people found this helpful
Helpful
Ryan in Yorktown, VA – Jan 31, 2017
×Post a ResponseAre you Dr. Choll Kim, MD?
What went well
  • Appointment scheduling
  • Listened & answered questions
  • Explained conditions well
  • Staff friendliness
  • Appointment wasn't rushed
  • Trusted the provider's decisions
  • Wait times
What could be improved
No results
7 people found this helpful
Helpful
Tami S. in San Diego, CA – Jan 26, 2017
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Leave a review

How was your experience with Dr. Kim?

Know Before You Go

About Me

care philosophy

``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...read more

biography

Dr. Choll Kim graduated cum laude from Harvard Medical School and completed his fellowship training in complex spine surgery at the Mayo Clinic. In addition, he is double-board certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgeons and the American...read more

  • Minimally Invasive Orthopedic Spine Surgery

  • Orthopedic Surgery

  • Orthopedic Spine Surgery

*Healthgrades does not verify qualifications for medical specialties. Please verify your provider's specialty and qualifications directly with your provider and applicable medical board.

  • Mayo Clinic

    Fellowship Hospital, 2002

  • Mayo Clinic Alix School Of Medicine

    Fellowship Hospital, 2002

  • University Of California San Diego Medical Center

    Residency Hospital, 2001

  • Harvard Medical School

    Medical School, 1996

  • University Of California At Los Angeles

    1992

  • University Of California At San Diego

    Undergraduate School, 1987
American Board of Medical Specialties®
American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery®
- 
Orthopedic Surgery
For detailed information about any of the below board actions, please search for the provider's records on the linked state licensing board or the Federation of State Medical Boards. To learn more about the difference between these sources, please refer to our FAQs.
Healthgrades has not received any data indicating a board action exists for this provider.

Healthgrades receives board action history for physicians and physician assistants. The information displayed here is sourced from independent information providers, such as state board websites, and may not be the most up-to-date information. Healthgrades makes no representations with respect to the accuracy of any information provided here and assumes no responsibility or liability for such information.

Learn more about medical license public record check

Healthgrades Tips for Getting Orthopedic Care

Locations

Excel Spine Center

UCSD East Office6719 Alvarado Rd Ste 304 San Diego, CA 92120
1

Affiliated Hospitals

  • UC San Diego Health Hillcrest Hillcrest Medical Center

    200 W Arbor Dr
    San Diego, CA 92103
    Recipient of 50
    hospital awards

    America's 100 Best Hospitals Award™ (2025, 2024, 2023)

    Top 5% in the nation for consistently delivering clinical quality

    America's 250 Best Hospitals Award™ (2025, 2024, 2023)

    Top 5% in the nation for consistently delivering clinical quality

    View all awards

    How patients felt about the care they received at this hospital.

    89%
    Patients said they were given information about recovering at home

    5% higher than the national average

    80%
    Patients said that doctors always listened to them and explained things well

    4% higher than the national average

    View all patient feedback

  • Palomar Medical Center Poway

    15615 Pomerado Rd
    Poway, CA 92064
    Recipient of 2
    hospital awards

    Patient Safety Excellence Award™ (2025, 2024)

    Top in the nation for providing excellence in patient safety by preventing infections, medical errors, and other preventable complications

    View all awards

    How patients felt about the care they received at this hospital.

    83%
    Patients said they were given information about recovering at home

    1% lower than the national average

    72%
    Patients said that doctors always listened to them and explained things well

    4% lower than the national average

    View all patient feedback

  • Alvarado Hospital Medical Center

    6655 Alvarado Rd
    San Diego, CA 92120
    Recipient of 6
    hospital awards

    America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Orthopedic Surgery Award™ (2025)

    Top in the nation for providing excellence in patient safety by preventing infections, medical errors, and other preventable complications

    Patient Safety Excellence Award™ (2025, 2024, 2023)

    Top in the nation for providing excellence in patient safety by preventing infections, medical errors, and other preventable complications

    View all awards

    How patients felt about the care they received at this hospital.

    78%
    Patients said they were given information about recovering at home

    6% lower than the national average

    68%
    Patients said that doctors always listened to them and explained things well

    8% lower than the national average

    View all patient feedback
Learn more about how Healthgrades measures Hospital Quality