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Bariatric Surgery »  Meet the Team »  Plastic Surgeons »  Esther A. Kim, M.D.
Esther A. Kim, M.D.

Esther A. Kim, M.D.

  • Associate Professor of Surgery
  • Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
  • Associate Program Director, Plastic Surgery Residency
  • Director, UCSF Gender Affirming Surgery
  • Co-Director, UCSF Microsurgery Fellowship

Contact Information

Division of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery
(415) 514-7448 UCSF Asst.
(415) 353-4330 UCSF Fax


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University of California, Berkeley, B.A., Molecular and Cell Biology, 1997

University of California, Davis, M.D., Medicine, 2004

  • 2004-2005 University of Nebraska, Intern, General Surgery
  • 2005-2009 University of Nebraska, Resident, General Surgery
  • 2010-2012 Mayo Clinic, Resident, Plastic Surgery
  • 2012-2013 University of California, San Francisco, Microsurgery Fellowship
  • American Board of Surgery, General Surgery
  • American Board of Plastic Surgery
  • Asian Blepharoplasty
  • Botox and Fillers
  • Breast Augmentation
  • Cosmetic Surgery
  • Eyelid Surgery
  • Facial Rejuvenation
  • Gender Affirmation Surgery
  • General Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery
  • Gluteal Augmentation
  • Liposuction
  • Microvascular Breast Reconstruction
  • Non-surgical Cheek Lift
  • Oculoplastics
  • Post-Bariatric Body Contouring
  • Reconstructive Microsurgery
  • Skin Cancer Reconstruction
  • Coagulopathy in microvascular surgery
  • Composite allograft tissue transfer
  • Health Care Disparities
  • Improvement in Quality of Life

Dr. Esther Kim, a California native and alumna of UC Berkeley, where she majored in molecular cell biology, and UC Davis School of Medicine, stands as a distinguished member of our academic faculty. With an accomplished educational background, she completed her Plastic Surgery Residency at the prestigious Mayo Clinic and further honed her expertise through a Microsurgery fellowship at UCSF. Joining the Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery in 2013, Dr. Kim has emerged as a vital asset to our program.

Specializing in microvascular complex reconstructive surgery, Dr. Esther Kim holds double board certification from the American Board of Surgery in general surgery and the American Board of Plastic Surgery. Her comprehensive scope of practice encompasses microvascular complex reconstruction, gender affirmation surgery, and cosmetic surgery. Dr. Kim's approach is rooted in achieving natural-looking cosmetic and reconstructive outcomes with meticulous attention to detail. Integrating technical excellence, an artistic eye, and compassionate care, she tailors her approach to each patient's unique needs and anatomical differences, striving for optimal outcomes.

As an academic plastic surgeon, Dr. Kim perceives her role as not only providing exceptional patient care but also as an educator, inspirer, and empowerer. She is deeply committed to shaping the future of plastic surgery by actively engaging in the education and training of the next generation of surgeons. Dr. Kim contributes significantly to curriculum development, ensuring that evolving surgical techniques, advancements in the field, and a patient-centered approach are seamlessly integrated into the educational framework. Her dedication extends beyond the operating room, leaving an indelible mark on the growth and excellence of future surgeons under her mentorship. Her commitment also extends to research and publication endeavors focused on addressing healthcare disparities and enhancing the quality of life and surgical outcomes for her patients. Dr. Kim strives to strike a balance between a thriving professional career, meaningful service to her community, and serving as a positive role model for her three daughters, embodying the principles of excellence, compassion, and continuous learning in both her personal and professional spheres.

In her leisure time, Dr. Kim finds joy in activities such as cooking, hiking, and traveling, adding a vibrant dimension to her multifaceted life beyond the operating room.

  Award  
  Confired By    
  Date    
  • Inquiry Short-Term Mentor Award
  • UCSF
  • 2023 - 2024
  • Inquiry Long-Term Mentor of the Year Award
  • UCSF
  • 2023
  • Muriel Steel Society Influential Women in Surgery Honor Roll
  • UCSF
  • 2022
  • Muriel Steel Society Influential Women In Surgery Honor Roll
  • UCSF
  • 2021
  • GME Excellence & Innovation Award
  • UCSF
  • 2021 - 2022
  • Muriel Steel Society Influential Women in Surgery Honor Roll
  • UCSF
  • 2021 - 2022
  • Muriel Steel Society Influential Women In Surgery Honor Roll
  • UCSF
  • 2020 - 2021
  • Dr. Kim's research focuses on understanding coagulopathy in patients undergoing microvascular surgery. Her research aims to improve overall surgical outcomes and decrease complications in microvascular surgery. Her other interests include health care disparities and improvement in quality of life in surgical patients.

    Data provided by UCSF Profiles, powered by CTSI
    MOST RECENT PUBLICATIONS FROM A TOTAL OF 35
    Data provided by UCSF Profiles, powered by CTSI
    1. Song S, Nguyen A, Rosser M, Steiner G, Kim EA. Perceptions of a virtual education platform: how plastic surgery education has progressed during the COVID-19 pandemic at one academic institution. BMC Med Educ. 2023 Sep 27; 23(1):708. View in PubMed
    2. Song S, Kim EA. Double-incision mastectomy after reduction mammaplasty for persistent gender dysphoria: a case report. Case Reports Plast Surg Hand Surg. 2023; 10(1):2222826. View in PubMed
    3. Wallace AB, Song S, Yeh P, Kim EA. The Effect of Pectoral Nerve Blocks on Opioid use and Postoperative Pain in Masculinizing Mastectomy: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2023 May 23. View in PubMed
    4. Song S, Park KM, Parmeshwar N, Dugi D, Schechter L, Berli JU, Kim EA, GAS Research Group. Developing Gender-Affirming Surgery Curricula for Plastic Surgery Residency and Fellowship via Delphi Consensus. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2024 Jan 01; 153(1):160-169. View in PubMed
    5. Clark IC, Fontanez KM, Meltzer RH, Xue Y, Hayford C, May-Zhang A, D'Amato C, Osman A, Zhang JQ, Hettige P, Ishibashi JSA, Delley CL, Weisgerber DW, Replogle JM, Jost M, Phong KT, Kennedy VE, Peretz CAC, Kim EA, Song S, Karlon W, Weissman JS, Smith CC, Gartner ZJ, Abate AR. Microfluidics-free single-cell genomics with templated emulsification. Nat Biotechnol. 2023 Nov; 41(11):1557-1566. View in PubMed
    6. View All Publications

     

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