Alex Kim, M.D., Ph.D.

Alex Kim, M.D., Ph.D.

  • Eugene P. Frenkel, M.D. Scholar in Clinical Medicine
  • Surgery - Surgical Oncology
  • Complex Gastrointestinal Oncology
  • Appendiceal Cancer

Biography

Alex Kim, M.D., Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Surgery at UT Southwestern Medical Center. He specializes in complex gastrointestinal oncology and advanced cancer management for appendiceal cancer, colorectal cancer, gastric cancer, and mesothelioma.

Dr. Kim earned his medical degree and a doctoral degree in cellular and molecular biology at the University of Michigan. He completed a residency in general surgery at the University of Michigan Health System and received advanced training through a surgical oncology fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.

Certified by the American Board of Surgery in general surgery and complex general surgical oncology, he joined the UT Southwestern faculty in 2024.

Dr. Kim specializes in a complex procedure known as cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC), which involves resection of any abdominal organs containing cancer and infusing the belly cavity with a heated chemotherapy bath. He is also active in clinical research and runs a basic and translational research lab focused on understanding the mechanisms of colon cancer metastasis to the abdominal cavity.

He belongs to the American College of Surgeons, the American Medical Association, the American Society of Clinical Oncology, the Americas Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Association, the Association for Academic Surgery, the Society of Surgical Oncology, and the Society of Asian Academic Surgeons, for which he serves on the Publications Committee. He is an ad hoc reviewer for a wide selection of academic journals, including Cancer, JAMA Surgery, and Frontiers in Oncology.

Dr. Kim has delivered numerous presentations, contributed to books including Cancer Metastasis Through the Lymphovascular System and Clinical Scenarios in Surgery, and published many academic articles related to his areas of expertise.

Personal Note

When he’s not at work, Dr. Kim enjoys snowboarding and playing and listening to ’90s rock music.

Education & Training
  • Graduate School - University of Michigan Hospitals & Health Centers (2005-2009)
  • Medical School - University of Michigan Medical School (2009-2013)
  • Residency - University of Michigan Health System (2013-2018), General Surgery
  • Fellowship - University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (2018-2020), Surgical Oncology
  • Other Post Graduate Training - University of Michigan - Medical School (2003-2009)
Professional Associations & Affiliations
  • American College of Surgeons
  • American Medical Association
  • American Society of Clinical Oncology
  • Americas Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Association
  • Association for Academic Surgery
  • Society of Asian Academic Surgeons
  • Society of Surgical Oncology
Books & Publications
  • Books
    • Introduction: Cancer metastasis through the lymphovascular system in Cancer Metastasis through the Lymphovascular System
      Cho C, Kim AC (2021), New York, NY, Springer
    • Regional hepatic artery therapy for liver metastasis in Cancer Metastasis: Cancer Metastasis through the Lymphovascular System
      Brown Z, Kalata S, Kim, AC (2021), New York, NY, Springer
    • Tumors of the biliary tract in Scientific American Surgery
      Kim AC, Nathan H (2018), New York, NY, Scientific American, Inc.
    • Tumors of the liver and the biliary tract in Scientific American Surgery
      Kim AC, Nathan H (2018), New York, NY, Scientific American, Inc.
    • Bleeding gastric ulcer in Clinical Scenarios in Surgery
      Kim AC, Mulholland MW (2018), Philadelphia, PA
Research
  • Colon cancer metastasis
  • Cytoreductive surgery

Clinical Focus

  • Complex Gastrointestinal Oncology
  • Appendiceal Cancer
  • Colorectal Cancer
  • Gastric Cancer
  • Mesothelioma

See More

Alex Kim, M.D., Ph.D.

Dr. Kim talks about his approach to patient care.