Josephine Kim, M.D.

(877) 541-4673
Josephine Kim, M.D.
Gynecologic Oncologist
Clinical Expertise
  • Clinical Trials
  • Gynecological Oncology
  • Ovarian Cancer
  • Endometrial Cancer
  • Vulvar Cancer
  • Cervical Cancer
  • Genetic Predisposition to Cancer
Research Area

Gynecologic Cancer Research

Academic Appointments

Associate Clinical Professor, Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Surgery

Clinical Teams
Gynecologic Oncology
Women's Cancers Program
Surgery — Gynecological Oncology
Ovarian Cancer
Cervical Cancer

Josephine Kim, M.D., is a compassionate and highly skilled gynecologic oncologist whose career is driven by a deep love of science and a desire to alleviate suffering through medical innovation. Dr. Kim’s journey began with a passion for women’s health, leading her to specialize in gynecologic oncology—a dynamic field that allows her to manage both the medical and surgical aspects of cancer care. She finds profound meaning in the individualized nature of each patient’s journey and is honored to walk alongside them during such pivotal moments in their lives.

Dr. Kim earned her medical degree from the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, completed her residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of California San Diego, and returned to the University of Chicago for her fellowship in Gynecologic Oncology. Shahas been recognized with numerous accolades, including induction into the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society and serving as the inaugural department well-being director. Her expertise includes the medical and surgical care of ovarian, endometrial, cervical, vulvar, and vaginal cancers, as well as cytoreductive and minimally invasive surgeries and fertility-sparing treatments.

Outside of work, Dr. Kim enjoys exploring Southern California with her family, playing tennis and golf, and participating in group fitness classes. Originally from Wisconsin, she brings a warm Midwestern spirit to her practice.

Location

Education & Experience

Certifications

  • 2021-Present, American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology- Gynecologic Oncology
  • 2018-Present, American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology- Obstetrics and Gynecology

Degrees

  • 2006-2010, Doctor of Medicine, University of Chicago-Pritzker School of Medicine, Chicago, IL
  • 2002-2006, Bachelor of Arts, Neuroscience and Behavior, Columbia College, Columbia University, New York, NY

Residency

  • 2010-2014, University of San Diego, (Obstetrics and Gynecology), San Diego, CA

Fellowship

  • 2014-2017, University of Chicago, NorthShore University Health System (Gynecologic Oncology), Chicago, IL

Professional Experience

  • 2025-Present, Associate Clinical Professor, City of Hope Orange County, Irvine, California
  • 2017-2025, Assistant Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Section of Gynecologic Oncology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL

Awards & Memberships

Awards

  • 2016, NorthShore Medical Group Obstetrics and Gynecology Innovation Grant
  • 2016, NorthShore University HealthSystem Research Fellowship Travel Grant
  • 2015, NorthShore University HealthSystem Pilot Award for Breast and Ovarian Cancer Research
  • 2010, Student Departmental Award for Outstanding Performance in Obstetrics and Gynecology
  • 2009, Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society
  • 2007, Geographical Medical Scholars Program Scholarship
  • 2006, Columbia University Community Impact Volunteer Award
  • 2003-2006, Dean’s List Honors, Columbia University

Memberships

  • 2021-Present. University of Chicago Comprehensive Cancer Center- Associate Member, Clinical and Experimental Therapeutics Program
  • 2014-Present. Society of Gynecologic Oncology
  • 2010-Present. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists

Publications

  • Choudhury, DS, Kurnit KC, Yamada SD, Lee NK, Vemuri A, Barroeta JE, Rayani S, Straus CM, Fleming GF, Kim JS. Successful treatment of gynecologic malignancy with trastuzumab deruxtecan in three patients with HER2 mutations. Gynecol Oncol Rep 2025 Dec 62:101974.
  • Pacyna RR, Thomas L, Oren NC, Kim JS. Radiologic and surgical peritoneal cancer index in patients with low grade serous ovarian carcinoma. Gynecol Oncol Rep 2025 Jul 16:60:101805.
  • Pacyna RR, Cipriani NA, Mathew MS, Kim JS. IgG4-related disease mimicking gynecologic malignancy. Gynecologic Oncology Reports 2023 Jan 18;45:101137.
  • Avila S, Ruiz MJ, Petereit D, Arya R, Callender B, Hasan Y, Kim JS, Lee N, McCall A, Son C, Stack K, Asif S, Besecker T, Juneja A, Li Z, Naik P, Ranka T, Saxena P, Siegfried B, Ichikawa T, Golden DW. Communicating the gynecologic brachytherapy experience (CoGBE): Clinician perceived benefits of a graphic narrative discussion guide. Brachytherapy 2023 May-Jun;22(3):352-360.
  • Krishnan R, Kurnit KC, Kim JS. Ovarian cancer peritoneal carcinomatosis: a narrative review. Dig Med Res 2022 Sept;5:43.
  • Ackroyd SA, Walls M, Kim JS, Lee NK. Lessons learned: telemedicine patterns and clinical application in patients with gynecologic cancers during COVID-19. Gynecologic Oncology Reports 2022 Apr 27;41:100986.
  • Goldberg EM, Berger Y, Sood D, Kurnit KC, Kim JS, Lee NK, Yamada SD, Turaga KK, Eng OS. Differences in sociodemographic disparities between patients undergoing surgery for advanced colorectal or ovarian cancer. Ann Surg Oncol 2021 Nov;28(12):7795-7806.
  • Chicago Consensus Working Group. The Chicago consensus on peritoneal surface malignancies: Management of ovarian neoplasms. Ann Surg Oncol 2020 Jun;27(6):1708-1787.
  • Kim JS, Turbov J, Rosales R, Thaete LG, Rodriguez GC. Combination simvastatin and metformin synergistically inhibits endometrial cancer cell growth. Gynecol Oncol 2019 Aug;154(2):432-440.
  • Kim JS, Liang MI, Prendergast EN, Alldredge J, Datta A, Hurteau JA, Kirscher CV, Rodriguez GC, Vogel TJ, Brooks RA, Cass I, Cohen JG, Penner KR, Wang CE, Diaz ES. Clinical outcomes in ovarian cancer patients receiving three versus more cycles of chemotherapy after neoadjuvant treatment and interval cytoreductive surgery. Int J Gynecol Cancer 2019 Sep;29(7):1156-1163.
  • Kim JS, Mills KA, Fehniger J, Liao C, Hurteau JA, Kirschner CV, Lee NK, Rodriguez GC, Yamada SD, Diaz Moore ES, Tenney ME. Venous thromboembolism in patients receiving extended pharmacologic prophylaxis after robotic surgery for endometrial cancer. Int J Gynecol Cancer 2017;27(8):1774-1782.
  • Kim JS, Ward KK, Shah NS, Saenz CC, McHale MT, Plaxe SC. Effects of obesity and hysterectomy approach on the surgical management of uterine malignancy. Am J Clin Exp Obstet Gynecol 2015;2(3):96-101.
  • Barlin JN, Kim JS, Barakat RR. Recurrent cervical cancer isolated to the sigmoid colon: a case report. Gynecologic Oncology Case Reports. 2013 (6):28-30.
  • Kim JS, Ward KK, Shah NR, Saenz CC, McHale MT, Plaxe SC. Excess risk of Clostridium difficile infection in ovarian cancer is related to exposure to broad-spectrum antibiotics. Support Care Cancer. 2013 Nov;21(11):3103-7.
  • Ward KK, Tancioni I, Lawson C, Miller NL, Jean C, Chen XL, Uryu S, Kim JS, Tarin D, Stupack DG, Plaxe SC, Schlaepfer DD. Inhibition of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) activity prevents anchorage-independent ovarian carcinoma cell growth and tumor progression. Clin Exp Metastasis. 2013 Jun; 30(5):579-94.

Published Abstracts

  • Marta P, Popat V, Kim JS, Glaser S, Schwer A, Ladbury C, Dellinger T, Wang E, Song M, Cohen JG. Outcomes and adverse events with immunotherapy use for patients with vulvovaginal melanoma. Poster presented at WAGO Annual Meeting June 2026.
  • Popat V, Buttin B, Han E, Wingo S, Godbee N, Song M, Brunette L, Kim JS, Sloane H, Cohen JG. Evaluation of circulating tumor DNA using the Haystack MRD assay in recurrent ovarian cancer: a tale of four patients. Poster presented at Western Association of Gynecologic Oncologists WAGO Annual Meeting June 2026.
  • Pacyna RR, Oren NC, Kim, JS. Radiologic peritoneal cancer index predicts intraoperative tumor burden in patients with low grade serous ovarian carcinoma. Poster presented at University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine Senior Scientific Session 2023.
  • Pacyna RR, Cipriani N, Mathew MS, Kim JS. IgG4-related disease mimicking gynecologic malignancy. Poster presented at ACP Residents’ and Medical Students’ Day Poster Competition Nov 2022; Northbrook, IL. Awarded 2nd place medical student poster winner.
  • Somasegar S, Ackroyd S, Yamada SD, Kim JS. Association between time to adjuvant chemotherapy and outcomes in low grade ovarian cancer. Poster presented at WAGO Annual Meeting 2021; Virtual.
  • Alter R, Kim JS, Kuchta K, Jenkins-Vogel T. Timing of chemotherapy does not impact survival in advanced stage endometrial cancer. Poster presented at SGO Annual Meeting on Women’s Cancer 2021; Virtual.
  • Ackroyd SA, Kim JS, Lee NK. Telemedicine utilization in gynecologic cancers: understanding the digital divide. Poster presented at SGO Annual Meeting on Women’s Cancer 2021; Virtual
  • Avila S, Ruiz MJ, Arya R, Callendar B, Hasan Y, Kim JS, Lee N, McCall A, Son C, Stack K, Asif S, Besecker T, Juneja A, Zhongyang L, Naik P, Ranka T, Saxena P, Siegfried B, Ichikawa T, Golden D. Communicating the Gynecologic Brachytherapy Experience (CoGBE): Perceived Benefits of a Graphic Narrative Patient Education Tool. Poster presented at the NCI Annual Symposium on Global Cancer Research 2021; Virtual.
  • Avila S, Ruiz MJ, Arya R, Callendar B, Kim JS, Lee N, Son C, Hasan Y, McCall A, Ichikawa T, Golden D. Communicating the Gynecologic Brachytherapy Experience (CoGBE): Perceived Benefits of a Graphic Narrative Patient Education Tool. Poster presented at the University of Chicago Quality and Safety Symposium 2020; Chicago, IL.
  • Hlubocky FJ, Hassenfritz L, Kim JS, Lee NK. Power of support: the effect of peer navigation on emotional strain and coping for women with gynecologic cancers in early survivorship. Poster presented at SGO Annual Meeting on Women’s Cancer 2019; Honolulu, HI.
  • Kim JS, Liang MI, Prendergast EN, Wang C, Hurteau JA, Kirschner CV, Rodriguez GC, Jenkins Vogel T, Brooks RA, Cass I, Cohen JG, Diaz Moore ES. Comparison of clinical outcomes in women with advanced ovarian cancer undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy who receive 3 versus greater than 3 cycles of chemotherapy after interval cytoreductive surgery. Featured poster presented at SGO Annual Meeting on Women’s Cancer 2016; National Harbor, MD.
  • Kim JS, Turbov J, Rosales R, Thaete LG, Rodriguez GC. Combination metformin and simvastatin treatment synergistically inhibits endometrial cancer cell growth in vitro. Poster presented at SGO Annual Meeting on Women’s Cancer 2016; San Diego, CA.
  • Kim JS, Fehniger J, Mills KA, Ross JG, Hurteau JA, Kirschner CV, Rodriguez GC, Yamada SD, Lee NK, Diaz ES, Tenney ME. Clinical utility of routine postoperative laboratory studies in uncomplicated patients undergoing robotic hysterectomy for endometrial cancer. Poster presented at SGO Annual Meeting on Women’s Cancer 2016; San Diego, CA.
  • Kim JS, Mills K, Fehniger J, Diaz E, Febbraro T, Yamada SD, Lee N, Tenney M. Venous thromboembolism in patients receiving extended pharmacologic prophylaxis following robotic surgery for endometrial cancer. Oral presentation at WAGO Annual Meeting 2015; Santa Rosa, CA.
  • Kim JS, Ward K, Shah N, Saenz C, McHale M, Plaxe S. Quantifying obesity-related increases in cost for the surgical management of uterine cancer. Poster presented at SGO Annual Meeting on Women’s Cancer 2014; Tampa, FL
  • Kim JS, Ward K, Shah N, Saenz C, McHale M, Plaxe S. Excess risk of Clostridium difficile enterocolitis in ovarian cancer is related to exposure to broad-spectrum antibiotics. Poster presented at OB/GYN Assembly of Southern California 2013 Annual Meeting and Scientific Assembly; Marina Del Rey, CA (April 2013). Poster presented at SGO Annual Meeting on Women’s Cancer 2013; Los Angeles, CA
  • Ward KK, Tancioni I, Lawson C, Miller N, Jean C, Chen XL, Uryu S, Kim JS, Plaxe SC, Schlaepfer DD. FAK signaling is required for orthotopic syngeneic ovarian carcinoma tumor growth and metastasis. Poster presented at Posttranslational Regulation of Cell Signaling Meeting 2012; La Jolla, CA.
  • Kim JS, Casper C, Smith S, Fisher TL, Hickner J. Barriers to primary care follow-up for ED patients with primary care referrals. Poster presented at American College of Emergency Physicians Annual Research Forum 2008; Chicago, IL.
  • Kim JS, Fisher TL, Hickner J, Smith S. Using the Health Belief Model to understand barriers to primary care follow-up for ED patients without a primary care home. Oral presentation at: The University of Chicago Summer Research Forum 2007

Invited Seminars/Lectures/Forums

  • April 2026, Caring for Patients at Risk for Gynecologic Cancer and Pelvic Floor Disorders: Best Practices for the Prevention and Diagnosis of Endometrial Cancer. City of Hope CME event, Anaheim, CA.
  • February 2026, Second Victim Syndrome in Surgery. Department of Surgery Grand Rounds, City of Hope.
  • November 2024, Suits and Scrubs: A Discussion on Medical Malpractice. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Grand Rounds Symposium, University of Chicago.
  • November 2022, Germline and somatic genetic testing in gynecologic cancers. Gynecologic Oncology APP Lunch and Learn speaker, University of Chicago.
  • September 2022, Ovarian Cancer Treatment Updates. Top Doc Lecture Series Speaker, Wellness House Meeting for Gynecologic Cancer Support Group (Virtual).
  • January 2022, Cervical Cancer Is Preventable. Guest Panelist, Community Health Focus Hour WVON 1690 AM Radio
  • December 2021, Illinois Cancer Care Gynecologic Oncology Case Conference. University of Chicago CME Speaker (Virtual).
  • August 2021, Invited lecturer for OB/GYN residency on Robotic Surgery in Gynecologic Cancer, Amita Health, Chicago, IL
  • July 2021, Fertility after Cancer and Coping with Uncertainty. Top Doc Lecture Series Panelist, Wellness House Meeting for Gynecologic Cancer Support Group (Virtual).
  • June 2021, Low Grade Ovarian Cancer. Summer Speaker Series, National Ovarian Cancer Coalition Teal Hearts Meeting for Ovarian Cancer Survivors (Virtual).
  • October 2020, 2020 Updates: ASCCP Guidelines and the HPV Vaccine. University of Chicago CME Webinar. Chicago, IL.
  • June 2018, Solid adnexal masses and complex atypical endometrial hyperplasia. Women’s Health Multidisciplinary Meeting for community physicians. Tinley Park, IL.
  • May 2017, Combination simvastatin/metformin for endometrial cancer treatment and prevention. NorthShore University HealthSystem, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Grand Rounds. Evanston, IL.
  • June 2015, Opportunistic Salpingectomy: An opportunity for ovarian cancer prevention. NorthShore University HealthSystem, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Grand Rounds. Evanston, IL.