Fernando J. Kim, MD, MBA, FACS, presented “From Trauma to Oncological Minimally Invasive Urology a Career Shaped by Inspiring Mentors” during the 44th Annual Ralph E. Hopkins Urology Seminar on February 5, 2025, in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.
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How to cite: Kim, Fernando J. “From Trauma to Oncological Minimally Invasive Urology a Career Shaped by Inspiring Mentors.” February 5, 2025. Accessed Mar 2025. https://grandroundsinurology.com/from-trauma-to-oncological-minimally-invasive-urology-a-career-shaped-by-inspiring-mentors/
From Trauma to Oncological Minimally Invasive Urology a Career Shaped by Inspiring Mentors – Summary
Fernando J. Kim, MD, MBA, FACS, shares a deeply personal and professional reflection on a career spanning trauma surgery, urology, and oncology, shaped by mentorship, innovation, and a commitment to advancing patient care. This 23-minute presentation underscores his belief in the transformative power of research, collaboration, and compassion in medicine.
Dr. Kim recounts an early passion for trauma surgery, guided by the mentorship of Dr. Ernest E. Moore, a pioneer in trauma research. This foundation led to significant contributions in trauma classification and damage control surgery. A transition to urology followed, influenced by Dr. Robert Flanagan, which led to a specialization in kidney cancer and surgical innovation. Early experiences in laparoscopic procedures, including renal cryoablation, helped develop less invasive approaches and pioneered laparoscopic and robotic kidney surgery efforts. The integration of trauma principles into oncology led to the development of techniques such as endoscopic urethral realignment and the use of REBOA for renal tumor thrombus management.
He concludes with reflections on mentorship, patient advocacy, and the enduring impact of surgical advancements on lives, underscoring the speaker’s belief in the transformative power of research, collaboration, and compassion in medicine.
About The 44th Annual Ralph E. Hopkins Urology Seminar:
The Ralph E. Hopkins Urology Seminar is a multi-day meeting focused on training urologists in the latest in assessing, diagnosing, and treating urologic conditions in the clinical setting. Updates are provided on urologic cancers, stone disease, urologic reconstruction, female urology, infertility, sexual function, emerging surgical techniques, and general urology. The 44th iteration of the meeting took place from February 5th to February 8th, 2025, in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.
For further educational activities from this conference, visit our collection page.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Fernando J. Kim, MD, MBA, FACS, is president of the South Central Section of the American Urological Association (SCSAUA), editor-in-chief of AUA NEWS in Portuguese, and associate editor of the Journal of Urology Plus and the Patient Safety in Surgery Journal. Dr. Kim previously served at Denver Health Medical Center where he was chief of urology and has also played a pivotal role in enhancing urological resident rotations by serving as the site residency director and significantly enhancing diversity and inclusion. Dr. Kim earned his MD from the University of São Paulo School of Medicine in São Paolo, Brazil. He was a trauma research fellow at the University of Colorado (CU) Health Sciences Center in Denver and completed an internship in general surgery at the CU Health Sciences Center. Dr. Kim also completed general surgery training at Loyola University's Stritch School of Medicine in Illinois and a fellowship in endourology and laparoscopy at the Brady Urological Institute at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Maryland.
Dr. Kim is active in the AUA as part of their leadership program, served as their host country liaison, and was awarded their Presidential Citation for his international relations and contributions to minimally invasive urological surgery. Dr. Kim served as president of the SCSAUA. He also received the Presidential Juscelino Kubitschek Medal from the Society of Brazilian Urology, the Ernest E. Moore Trauma Award, and the Societá Italiana di Urologia International Guest Recognition.