Dr. Jae Y. Kim

About Dr. Jae Y. Kim

Dr. Jae Y. Kim leads the Division of Thoracic Surgery at City of Hope. His expertise in thoracic surgery includes robotic surgery, research and the use of biomarkers in diagnosis. He focuses on improving surgical outcomes and quality of life for his patients. 

His areas of focus are mesothelioma, lung cancer, esophageal cancer and thymoma. Dr. Kim is known for saying, “The question that I ask myself every day on my way to work is, ‘How can we do better?’” This reflects his commitment to advancing patient care.

Medical Education & Experience

• City of Hope, Division of Thoracic Surgery (Chief and Associate Professor)
• University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center (Fellowship, Thoracic Surgery)
• University of California San Francisco (M.D.)
• Harvard University (B.A. and M.A. in Biochemistry, Magna Cum Laude)

Associations Awards & Recognition

• Named Castle Connolly Top Doctor and Los Angeles Magazine Top Doctor
• Member International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer
• Member Society of Thoracic Surgeons

Why Choose Dr. Kim for Pleural Mesothelioma?

Dr. Kim provides specialized surgical care for complex thoracic cancers including pleural mesothelioma. As leader of City of Hope’s thoracic surgery team, he ensures access to advanced mesothelioma treatments and a dedicated multidisciplinary team. He uses robotic surgery and modern techniques to improve patient outcomes.

His research focuses on quality of life and surgical results for his patients. This commitment means Dr. Kim integrates the latest findings into the work he does at City of Hope. Patients choose him for his expertise, compassionate approach and determination to do better every day.

Publications of Dr. Kim

• Kim, J.Y. (2023, March). The use of biomarkers in early-stage NSCLC. Clinical Advances in Hematology & Oncology.
• Liu, J. et al. (2022, November). An updated review on radiation treatment management in thymus cancers. Clinical Lung Cancer.
• Liu, J. et al. (2022, November). Current landscape of radiation oncology in esophageal cancer: A narrative review. Journal of Thoracic Disease.
• Raoof, M. et al. (2022, November 10). Medicare Advantage: A disadvantage for complex cancer surgery patients. Journal of Clinical Oncology.
• Kim, J.Y. (2022, October). Stepwise improvements in esophagectomy outcomes over a quarter century. The Annals of Thoracic Surgery.