PATIENT TESTIMONIES

"I had the privilege of being under the guidance of Dr. Kim, and I can confidently say he embodies the gold standard of what every physician should strive to be: compassionate, knowledgeable, thorough, and genuinely committed to patient-centered care. What stood out most was his unwavering availability and follow-through. He remained responsive, offering clarity, reassurance, and guidance throughout my difficult times.” TS

“I had spent the previous three years experiencing pain and seeing more doctors than I could count. I knew something was wrong. I wanted, and desperately needed, to get better for my young children and husband. Dr. Kim was the one who finally was able to figure out the probable cause of my pain. I was so happy to finally have some answers. Per professional courtesy, Dr. Kim also spoke to my husband who is also a physician, and carefully explained all of his findings. I still remember my husband telling me how impressed he was with Dr. Kim.” JR

“I faced medical challenges my entire life, but things really escalated after I was diagnosed with POTS. I spent years seeing countless specialists—doctors who often dismissed my symptoms or chalked everything up to POTS simply because they couldn’t find anything else wrong. I endured what one provider even referred to as a “million-dollar work-up”: multiple MRIs, manometry tests, tilt tables, colonoscopies, EEGs, heart monitors—you name it. I saw over 40 different providers across every imaginable specialty, but none gave me any real answers.

That changed when we met Dr. Kim. From the beginning, Dr. Kim was different. He actually listened to me. He believed in me. Rather than brushing me off, he recommended appropriate tests—and for the first time, I started to get real answers. He explained the treatment options clearly and took the time to walk me through them. Together, I made decisions that felt right for me. What impressed me most was not just his clinical expertise—but his compassion. In a medical landscape where far too many patients are dismissed or misdiagnosed, Dr. Kim offered hope. He didn’t just treat me; he helped restore a sense of agency and relief in my life.” CC

“I have battled vascular compression syndromes since my twins were born in 2017. I honestly thought I was going to die as I as I couldn’t eat without excruciating pain, and was completely wasting away. I had MALS, NCS, MTS, and PCS. I was not able to take care of my children the first few years of their lives as I was fighting desperately for my own. I was bounced around from specialist to specialist with zero answers. I finally ended up at cleveland clinic and had one vascular compression issue fixed only to have extreme symptoms develop later for additional vascular compressions that were yet to be diagnosed. The doctors I encountered made me feel ‘crazy’ but I kept fighting for the sake of my children and family. After extensive research, I came across Dr. Kim. I reached out and he was able and willing to discuss my case. I had already had several surgeries for vascular compressions at this point but my health was failing and was completely bedridden this time last year. He took the time to review my scans with me and has a deep knowledge and understanding of what vascular compression patients go through. Dr. Kim recommended surgery, and kept in touch with me throughout my recovery. I am happy to report I am healthy again and have no lingering symptoms from vascular compressions. These syndromes are beyond debilitating. Dr. Kim is one of few doctors that understands the severity and complexity of these conditions. We are hopeless without an advocate for our conditions without him.” JT

“Having worked in healthcare for over ten years, I have seen many changes. Doctors like Dr. Kim need to be the standard, not the exception. I currently work in the vascular field and I can see how these conditions will go misdiagnosed with the current healthcare trends, as I see many many other conditions and illnesses being overlooked and misdiagnosed. The reasons for this are many and due to many factors but one thing we can’t do without are healthcare providers who are patient-care focused, who think outside the box and who have compassion for helping others.” BG

“My father was patient of Dr. Kim. After suffering a traumatic injury in his early 20s that left poor blood flow in his leg he suffered from inflammation and pain his entire life. He has saw over 15 doctors for his injury throughout his life and they all left him hopeless with no answers. When we found Dr. Kim he was able to diagnosis my fathers issue in this first visit and did a procedure in his second visit to repair the veins in his leg. Ever since that procedure he has no bouts of inflammation. Dr. Kim had the patience and compassion to listen to my fathers symptoms and properly diagnosis him and now he lives a pain free life.” KM

“I work with many surgeons and I have never met a surgeon who puts patients first the way that Dr. Kim does. In his work with venous compression syndrome patients especially, he shows incomparable compassion. I have had the great fortune to meet and work with many of these patients and I cannot begin to describe what it means to see the tears of relief on their faces as they talk about what a transformative experience meeting and being treated by Dr. Kim is for them. What he represents in the vascular community is greater than merely his surgical expertise. He represents hope to so many individuals who are ready to give up because of the struggles they’ve experienced elsewhere in the medical community. He is a listener, a believer, and a champion for these patients who feel so forsaken and forgotten.” KD

“Dr. Kurtis Kim exemplifies all the traits that are in a great physician. My daughter chose to have vascular compression evaluation by Dr. Kim. During the consultation, I observed Dr. Kim truly applying the ideals and statements written in the Hippocratic Oath. His interaction with my daughter, me and the rest of the family members far surpassed our expectations. He showed unselfish devotion and relentless dedication to improving my daughter’s physical, mental, and emotional well-being. He has helped my daughter turn from despair to hope, change tears into smiles, and transform pain to comfort.” MG

“Dr. Kim is one of the best doctors I’ve ever had. He took the time to listen to me and really try to understand how to help me. He was honest and if he didn’t have an answer, he would tell me. It was refreshing to have an intelligent doctor who was not afraid to say when he didn’t know. I’ve realized that we still have a lot to learn about these rare compression disorders, and my background in physics helped me to quickly decipher between the genuine doctors who knew enough to understand our lack of understanding, and those who were not familiar. It was obvious that Dr. Kim had a real passion for learning about these rare compressions in order to help all of those who suffer from them.” SM

“I received the most timely and high equality engagement that I have ever experienced with any medical professional. And I found the competence of Dr. Kim to be extraordinary. I was given a specific and a solid diagnosis with an understandable and convincing explanation for the first time. I was addressed directly with respect, care, and concern. I was given the opportunity to follow up with questions or concerns as they occurred to me. And I was always given satisfactory explanations and directions for any further action. I was put in touch with support services which I found extremely beneficial to me. And for this, I am forever grateful. I have a detailed treatment plan involving highly specialized surgical expertise. I have so far received the first of two-three vascular surgeries and have already gained a quality-of-life improvement with just the first one all thanks to Dr. Kim.” HB

“I am a pretty typical representation of one of Dr. Kim’s patients. I had my vascular conditions diagnosed later in life, have multiple compressions (as well as multiple chronic conditions), and had all my symptoms either ignored or misdiagnosed for years. I saw no less than 10 practitioners of various specialties before I saw Dr. Kim. Every single one missed the classic signs and symptoms of the conditions I had. In my 20’s, my symptoms were ignored and I was diagnosed and treated for multiple psychiatric disorders I did not have. In my 30’s, I was finally diagnosed with endometriosis, only to have every symptom attributed to that disease. Due to Dr. Kim’s awareness of comorbidities, and his open communication with his colleagues, I was sent to him for consultation. I was found to have multiple compressions, and received treatment for them. Under Dr. Kim’s care, I not only have names for my conditions, but I finally have relief from symptoms I have had for over 20 years.” MH

“Dr. Kim gave us hope when we had none left. He followed our daughter’s care both emotionally and physically through some of the most challenging times in her life with more compassion than every other health care provider we've ever met combined. He is the reason that my daughter feels passionately about pursuing a career in medicine - so that she can give others hope, too. During some of my daughter’s darkest times, Dr. Kim was there for her. He emailed her with inspiratory comments. It meant the world to her. In one of our conversations with Dr. Kim, he told us how grateful he was for what we taught him! Can you imagine? He is truly one-of-a-kind. We will stay in touch with Dr. Kim wherever he goes.” MC

“In this age of commercialized medicine, Dr. Kim is a breath of fresh air. He not only made the correct diagnosis, he listened to my collective complaints to piece together recommendations that led beyond what vascular compression syndromes can explain. After the consultation, he emailed me with set of questions, and upon answering them he recommended seeking consultations from several specialties of medicine beyond his own expertise for further work up. This is why he listened and made inquisitive questions for an extended period of time before coming to the diagnosis. I cannot thank him enough for the quality of life I have reclaimed.” VT

“After over thirty years of working in mostly teaching institutions in Baltimore, I have watched and participated in many doctors becoming doctors. Though most are perfectly competent, there are only handful that I see as the embodiment of the word PHYSICIAN—caring for the whole patient, gladly giving away their knowledge without arrogance or condescension. Dr. Kim is one of my few.” BW

“Doctor Kim picked up all of them broken pieces of information and diagnosis, and have placed then back together in the most coherent manner that led me on the road to recovery from compressions- physical and just as importantly mentally. You Sir, will always be The Doctor who fought hardest for the compression community and gave hope to so many patients and gave their life back. You have been, and always will be the light at the end of the tunnel for so many of ours.” DY

Patients’ Geographic Origins

PATIENT TESTIMONIES

Patients’ Geographic Origins

AVCS Vascular Consultation