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 Jan 2026. 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 a Urologist with AdventHealth Medical Group in Riverview, Florida. Dr. Kim is active in the American Urological Association (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.
Dr. Kim earned his MD from the University of São Paulo in São Paolo, Brazil. He completed a research fellowship in Trauma Medicine and an internship in General Surgery at the University of Colorado in Denver. Dr. Kim then completed a residency in Urology at Loyola University in Chicago, Illinois. After which, he completed fellowships in Minimally Invasive Surgery, Endourology, and Urology at John Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland. Dr. Kim then earned his MBA in Healthcare Administration from the University of Colorado. He has also been certified in Clinical and Industrial Drug Development from MIT xPRO in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Dr. Kim is president of the South Central Section of the American Urological Association (SCSAUA), editor-in-chief ofAUA NEWS in Portuguese, and associate editor of theJournal of Urology Plusand thePatient Safety in Surgery Journal. He has received several research grants and is a primary investigator (PI) or co-PI, including studies of renal ischemia-reperfusion injury, development of minimally invasive surgical techniques, and prostate cancer prevention in minority communities. He has over 200 published articles, book chapters, videos, and monographs.
