Dr. Han Jo Kim, MD

It's been six months since my surgery and I'm back out jogging (not running yet) and believe that I have a reasonable chance of picking back up where I left off at my 38th marathon. I consulted three other surgeons before committing to the spinal fusion surgery (C2 to T4) with Dr. Kim required to address a Dropped Head Syndrome condition that had grown progressively worse over the past ten years. I was still running races, but I could barely stand upright as the finish lines approached. Unlike the other surgeons with whom I spoke, Dr. Kim recommended an approach that was--all at the same time--aggressive, well-grounded in the science and recent clinical results, and laser-focused on my unique circumstances as a 68-year old runner with fifteen years of marathons behind me. The trend since surgery has been consistently upward. I'm confident that I have rounded the bend toward a very active future. All thanks to Dr. Kim.

Words simply cannot express my profound gratitude to Dr. Han Jo Kim and the incredible job he did on my L4-L5 ALIF. From the initial consultation to post-operative care, Dr. Kim, his PA Mike and his NP Iyana all displayed exceptional professionalism, expertise, and compassion.The surgery was a tremendous success. Literally 23 hours from time of operation till I was home resting. My lower back pain was crippling and had a huge impact on my quality of life. Thanks to Dr.Kim my pain is gone. His smooth, chill, calming demeanor is a true testament to his deep knowledge and experience as a surgeon. The entire team at HSS was also outstanding, providing top notch care and outstanding patient support throughout my recovery.Thank you, Dr. Kim, PA Mike, NP Iyana, Lindsay and your entire team for giving me my life back!

After I was in a freak accident, Dr. Kim was the only surgeon willing to attempt the unusual and delicate surgery needed to facilitate my recovery. Immediately after the surgery, I had substantial relief and I’m looking forward to continued improvement in the months to come. So grateful to Dr. Kim

Dr. Kim’s incredible skill, expertise and responsiveness (and that of his team) has enabled a recovery that feels like a miracle. While I had overall good health for a 72-year-old, by early 2023 my scoliosis and spondylolisthesis had progressed to the point where I could not walk without pain, in spite of various rounds of physical therapy and pain management. I had seen another renowned specialist for 5 years in scoliosis who would not operate, but Dr. Kim was so very confident and gave me such specifics in terms of my risk and “odds”, he immediately had my trust and confidence. I have such a level of gratitude, it’s difficult to express. While I have another 1.5 years on a drug to address the osteoporosis with my spine, I have confidence it will all come together and most important, I have a new lease on life! Thank you, Dr. Kim and team, from the bottom of my heart.

Dr Kim is highly regarded and respected by me. He has great surgical abilities and experience and expertise are top notch. I had surgery on October 3 and when I awoke from anesthesia had total relief from pain and numbness that had plagued me for 6 months. The 2 hour drive to the city was well worth it

After failed fusion surgeries ( which original surgeon and his pain management dr missed) I finally listened to friends and family to go to HSS and see Dr Kim. He was very concerned not just about my pain and back bit my entire being. He listened and and we decided to have him do the revision surgery. He was honest about what to expect. Well, 6 months out from surgery, I was able to walk 5 6 Mike's without having to stop because of locking and spasms. I can sit in a car more than 20 minutes. DR kim gave me back a life and hope. List2n to his advice and all protocols they are in place for a reason. Also every single person I encountered at HSS were pleasant and helpful.

My experience with Dr Kim and his medical and reception staff was incredible! He listened, we talked, he was kind and extremely knowledgeable. I was a woman who could barely walk, couldn't hold on to pens and pencils. A full night's sleep was out of the question due to the intense pain. My life was horrible. After interviewiing another Doctor (so unsatisfactory), I ventured into HSS. Even over the phone, I knew that this was the correct place to be. If spinal surgery can be positive, Dr. Kim, with his incredible hands, regained my life. It was THAT dramatic! Dr. Kim gave me back my life. Simple as that!

I am in the consult stages with Dr Kim but I wanted to say that the staff I have dealt with so far are sooooo efficient and above and beyond what I am used to experiencing. They answered my calls and return calls sooner than I am used to . They are friendly and able to answer whatever questions I have had . Could not ask for more

Dr. Kim is an excellent surgeon. He did an amazing job with my lower spine (4 fused, 2 replaced). And there is no scar just a line, hooray! His PA is also very good and pleasant mannered. If you need this type of surgery I highly recommend Dr. Kim and the Hospital for Special Surgery (amazing nursing staff, top quality).

I had an operation by Dr. Kim last week because I had herniated disks in my nect pressing on my spinal cord. This created pain and parethesias in my arm and foot. My procedure was an "Anterior Cervical Corpectomy and Fusion." Things could not have gone better. Dr. Kim’s quiet confidence made the whole surgical process much less foreboding. I knew his technical skills were unsurpassed by reputation but I’ve now directly experienced his virtuosity in the form of symptomatic relief with minimal post-op pain. And even better is the fantastic hospital where he works, where staff were uniformly friendly, supportive, and empathic.

I had disc surgery with Dr Kim in Marc 2021. I am still recovering and have had a lot of PT. Dr Kim never explained that post op would be very painful and I would need opioids. At six weeks he did not look at my incision until I asked him to do it. My direct questions were never answered. I sought help from a pain management doctor outside HSS.

Best decision I ever made was to have my spine surgery with Dr Kim he gave me my life back. I was unable to walk due to debilitating pain but after a spine fusion surgery and following Dr Kim’s post operative restrictions I now have a life pain free. Thank you Dr Kim

Dr. Kim had amazing bedside manner and was an even better surgeon. He gave me my life back. Could not be happier.

Originally reached out through their website and got no response after a month. Called the office left a voicemail during lunch time got no response after 2 weeks. Finally got through today and asked to set up an appointment and they asked about my insurance. I told them my primary insurance and she said, what's your secondary insurance? I said, I don't have any. she said, oh then he won't even see you. Why? Because if we go to surgery, he won't be able to collect his 20%. Wow that's just unbelievable. Greed over care...

Dr. Kim seemed unable to grasp the possibility that I could have an infection after my Cervical Spine surgery, despite my exhaustion, my feeling ill and my weight loss of 10 lbs. He informed me that his patients did NOT get infections. The abscess growing on my incision worsened grotesquely. I requested a consult with an Infectious Disease doctor, but was told by Dr. Kim that he had it under control. Two months after the initial surgery, with the abscess boring into the incision, Dr. Kim saw the necessity of a second surgery, and a deep infection was found. I was hospitalized for 7 days and sent home with a PICC line and a daily 2-hour infusion of debilitating antibiotics. I continued taking various antibiotics, one with serious and ongoing side effects. Any doctor whose arrogance prevents him from listening to his patients is not a doctor who can provide adequate care.

After having all the rods and screws come apart(fused all of lumbar spine) by a neurosurgeon locally, a friend recommended Dr Kim. I was desperate to find someone to fix me and the local surgeons all wanted to leave what had fallen apart in my spine. Dr. Kim said it had to come out and he had to start over with a fusion from T10 to S1, one level above and below the previous fusion. He attributed the hardware failure to surgery which went against my normal spinal curvature and all screws being placed incorrectly. Surgery was successful but then the pandemic struck and PT couldn’t be done due to high risk other medical conditions. Almost a year and a half later I am much stronger but still having pain which is probably due to the severe spinal stenosis and DDD in my cervical spine. I found Dr Kim to be a caring and responsive professional who knows how to pull off a complicated surgery and is the antithesis of arrogance which is what my previous unsuccessful surgeon was all about.

Had T10-S1 fusion for a paralytic scoliosis 6/2019. He stabilized the scoliosis and reduced the curve from 44 degrees to 11, a curve that would have continued to progress if left untreated. I had an amazingly positive experience. I was released from the hospital around 72 hours after surgery. The pain was less than I expected, another testament to his surgical ability. I was literally in good surgical hands. I found working through their electronic health record to be an effective and efficient way to communicate with him and his staff. Face-to-face, he always seem to take the time to answer my questions and to really listen to what I was saying. I could tell that he really heard me, he understood me, he cared about me, and he could help me. It felt as though the same was true of all of his staff and his PA.

I cannot recommend Dr. Kim (and HSS) highly enough. His treatment of my cervical stenosis with myelopathy -- without fusion -- two years ago transformed me from debilitated to spritely, which I remain today at 84 years of age. The quality of his care and character are worth traveling even much farther than from my home in Washington, DC. Consistent with my experience of other HSS specialists, including Dr. Cross (for my subsequent knee replacements) and others many years ago (for my mother!)

Worst experience ever!! Waited forever, got a completely wrong diagnosis and the staff is immature and rude! Very unprofessional. Did not return my MRI discs, after asking for them multiple times and when I called the office 2 wks later to ask why they still had not been returned, was told "Legally they are our property"..which happens to be untrue. Legally they are MY property!! I was hung up on twice and still have not received my discs back. Do NOT GO HERE!! Gives HSS a bad name; shameful

Office staff rude; specifically Shannon. Waited more than 40 minutes to be seen; was given a wrong diagnosis; no diagnosis paperwork for F/U Drs, whose numbers were disconnected and 2nd did not accept my insurance. I asked for my MRI discs to be returned and was refused, and told they would be mailed back after being"uploaded." 2 weeks later, I again requested the MRI discs for upcoming appts and was told "they are legally our property and I can't say when you will get them." and hung up on 2x!