Meet Dr. Kim
Modern Precision. High-Volume Experience. A Personal Commitment to Your Recovery.
My Approach to Your Care
My clinical philosophy was forged in some of the nation’s most demanding surgical environments. At Harbor-UCLA Medical Center and the University of Pittsburgh Mercy (UPMC), I was on the front lines of high-acuity care during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. This era pushed us to innovate due to critical resource limitations—a mindset I carry into every case today. During residency, I focused on “wound disasters” and limb salvage, working with podiatric and vascular teams to manage Fournier’s Gangrene, complex abdominal wounds, and trauma-related tissue loss. This taught me that while no two wounds are the same, almost any wound can be managed with persistent, creative care.
A Foundation in Excellence
My clinical philosophy was forged in some of the nation’s most demanding surgical environments. At Harbor-UCLA Medical Center and the University of Pittsburgh Mercy (UPMC), I was on the front lines of high-acuity care during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. This era pushed us to innovate due to critical resource limitations—a mindset I carry into every case today. During residency, I focused on “wound disasters” and limb salvage, working with podiatric and vascular teams to manage Fournier’s Gangrene, complex abdominal wounds, and trauma-related tissue loss. This taught me that while no two wounds are the same, almost any wound can be managed with persistent, creative care.
Experience Through Volume & Intensity
In my practice, I prioritize results backed by high-repetition experience. Over the last four years, I have personally performed several thousand specialized vascular procedures. This volume has given me a ‘map-like’ understanding of vascular anatomy, allowing me to handle even the most difficult vein access with confidence. Beyond the clinic, I serve as a Wound Care Specialist in Los Angeles’ LTAC and subacute facilities. Treating the city’s most medically fragile patients gives me a perspective on tissue healing that most outpatient clinics simply never see.
The Evolution of My Practice
Following my residency, I worked within one of the nation’s highest-volume vein clinic networks. While this provided the sheer volume necessary to master technical outcomes, I realized that the corporate model often prioritizes volume over value, leading to a trend of ‘over-treating’ every vein with reflux. On the flip side, sometimes reflux is missed due to inexperienced practitioners or sonographers, which can lead to patients being dissatisfied with their results or feeling like they are worse off than before treatment. I founded VWCLA to be the antithesis of that model—a boutique practice where medical necessity and patient well-being guide every decision, and where I can dial in the right amount of intensity to get the outcome that every patient needs.
Why I Founded VWCLA: A Diagnostic-First Approach
My time in trauma centers and subacute units taught me that the most difficult cases aren’t always the most dramatic—they are the atypical or stubborn conditions that refuse to heal because the root cause was never found. Whether it is a vein procedure that failed elsewhere, a ‘strange’ rash, or a wound that has stalled for months, I apply a detective’s mindset. I personally view, review, and scrutinize your high-resolution Duplex Ultrasound to map specific ‘leak points’ and look beyond the surface to identify the systemic reasons a wound has stopped healing.
A Whole-Person Approach to Healing
Vascular disease and complex wounds do not exist in isolation. They often intersect with cardiology, podiatry, infectious disease, and endocrinology. I am constantly collaborating with other specialists across Los Angeles to ensure my patients receive a comprehensive care plan. Whether it’s coordinating with a podiatrist for limb salvage or sending a patient for a cardiological consult to optimize their systemic health, I am committed to open communication with your entire care team. My goal is to be a hub of recovery, ensuring that every facet of your health is addressed to achieve long-term, sustainable healing.
Specialized Expertise
Boutique Vascular Interventions: I utilize a “patient-first” model for Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) and Ultrasound Guided Foam Sclerotherapy (UGFS, Varithena), focusing on clinical necessity rather than corporate volume.
Complex Wound & Limb Preservation: Specializing in stalled, stubborn, or atypical wounds that have failed traditional treatments elsewhere.
Precision “Difficult Access” Care: Expert ultrasound-guided entry for patients with challenging anatomy or “tough veins”; my goal is always a single-stick experience.
Atypical Vascular Diagnostics: Applying a detective’s mindset to identify hidden “leak points” or subtle systemic issues that prevent standard healing.
High-Acuity Subacute Management: Entrusted to manage the city’s most medically fragile patients in LTAC settings, bringing that same intensity of care to our outpatient clinic.
Multidisciplinary Coordination: Active, ongoing collaboration with a network of Los Angeles podiatrists, cardiologists, vascular surgeons, and infectious disease specialists for “whole-person” recovery.
Education & Professional Affiliations
Medical School: St. George’s University School of Medicine (Magna Cum Laude)
Internship: University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Mercy Hospital (General Surgery)
Residency: Harbor-UCLA Medical Center (General Surgery)
Licensure: Physician and Surgeon, Medical Board of California (A174317)
