Samuel S. Kim, MD

4.9

1453 ratings Read Reviews

Northwestern Medical Group

Primary Specialty

Thoracic Surgery

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Practice Focus Areas

This medical professional has a particular interest or expertise in:

Reasons to Schedule a Visit

This medical professional may be a good choice for you if you are looking for care for any of the following:

Bronchogenic cyst
Chest/sternal mass (mediastinal, supraclavicular, thymoma)
Elevated diaphragm (diaphramagmatic plication)
Emphysema or copd
Empyema
Esophageal duplication cyst
Esophageal leiomyoma
Esophageal mass or cancer or esophagus removal (esophagectomy)
Esophageal or zenkers diverticulum
Esophageal perforation
Hyperhidrosis (craniofacial, palmar)
Lung cyst or bullae
Mediastinal/chest mass removal (thymectomy)
Narrowing or blockage of airway, or tracheal stenosis

Phrenic nerve injury or elevated diaphragm
Pneumothorax (collapsed lung)
Post sternotomy problems
Pulmonary sequestration
Rib fracture(s)
Robotic surgery
Substernal goiter
Surgery for mesothelioma (pleurectomy)
Sympathectomy
Thymic hyperplasia
Tracheal mass or tracheal removal (trachea resection)
Tracheomalacia
Trouble swallowing (achalasia, esophageal dysmotility, esophageal stricture)

View More reasons to Schedule a Visit

Education

Medical Education:: MD, Tufts University School of Medicine - 2002
Residency:: University of Pennsylvania Health System - 2009

Massachusetts General Hospital - 2011

Languages Spoken

Korean

Board Certifications

American Board of Surgery - Surgery (Certified)
American Board of Thoracic Surgery/Thoracic and Cardiac Surgery - Thoracic and Cardiac Surgery (Certified)

Faculty Profile

Professor, Feinberg School of Medicine

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Practice Groups and Affiliations

Medical Group:: Northwestern Medical Group
Alignment Category:: Northwestern Medicine Physician Network
On Medical Staff At:: Catherine Gratz Griffin Lake Forest Hospital

Central DuPage Hospital

Delnor Hospital

Grayslake Ambulatory Surgery Center

Kishwaukee Hospital

Northwestern McHenry Huntley & Woodstock Hospitals

Northwestern Memorial Hospital

Palos Hospital

Ratings and Reviews

At Northwestern Medicine, our patient’s feedback is important to us. While different care providers have their own unique strengths, we strive to be as transparent as possible with our quality of care.

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Overall Rating

4.9

4.9

1453 Ratings

Reviews from Patients

100 Most Recent Reviews

Reviews from Patients

100 Most Recent Reviews

February 26, 2026

5.0

Very knowledgeable, kind and understanding and incredibly professional!

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February 24, 2026

5.0

Kind , respectful and fully explains making sure patient understands

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February 23, 2026

5.0

I trust his expertise. He patiently took time to explain my procedure and everything went as planned. No complications.

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February 19, 2026

5.0

Has good recommendations and skill

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February 18, 2026

5.0

I want other people to experience good service

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February 18, 2026

5.0

I have no reason to rate him any less.

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February 17, 2026

5.0

Samuel S. Kim, MD's patient ratings all reference him as a highly respected gentle physician.

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February 13, 2026

5.0

I am alive!

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February 13, 2026

5.0

Dr Kim took his time to explain everything to me. He told me to call again if I had any more questions. He understood my nervousness.

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February 10, 2026

5.0

Great communication quickly in regards to my aspersion pneumonia.

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February 10, 2026

5.0

He was thorough and genuine in describing my surgery and gave me extensive descriptions of the full process and post surgery expectations.

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February 10, 2026

5.0

He was very thorough and answered all of my questions

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February 09, 2026

5.0

I appreciate his dedication to getting the best possible outcome for me. He took the time to explain the procedure in detail and answered all of our questions

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February 06, 2026

5.0

Good doctor

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February 06, 2026

5.0

As above professional , efficient really liked his PA

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February 05, 2026

5.0

Dr Kim came highly recommended to me by a personal professional friend of mine. He is candid and careful. Thus far I have not been disappointed and trust in his expertise and compassionate care.

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January 28, 2026

5.0

exceptional skill, focus and demeanor. His staff is beyond excellent

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January 28, 2026

5.0

Dr Kim is an excellent doctor and surgeon. He explains everything so that you understand it and sure he answers all your questions and concerns

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January 27, 2026

5.0

I believe I am receiving the best care.

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January 24, 2026

5.0

Very professional, confident, and efficient. Explained the procedure and always my fears.

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January 23, 2026

5.0

He was thorough and answered all of my questions

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January 22, 2026

5.0

Professional knowledge.

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January 22, 2026

5.0

Although his bedside manner good be viewed as limited, his team is extremely helpful explaining everything.

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January 20, 2026

5.0

Dr Kim is an excellent, very professional, kind and knowledgeable surgeon. He always makes time for his patients. He analyzes test results and presents them in a clear, understandable way. Questions are answered and follow up appointments are made.

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January 17, 2026

5.0

He's a really good doctor

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January 14, 2026

5.0

Smart, thorough, very personable

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January 12, 2026

5.0

Dr. Kim's medical team is also very good, and will always return calls or will sent reply to my chart,

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January 11, 2026

5.0

He's a specialist in his field

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January 11, 2026

5.0

Successful surgery.

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January 08, 2026

5.0

Extremely talented and skilled in his field. No surgeons within our living area perform the kind if surgery I needed. More than willing to travel for life saving surgery

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December 22, 2025

5.0

Very through. Explains my post op status very well.

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December 18, 2025

5.0

Knowledgeable, respectful and kind.

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December 18, 2025

5.0

I like his manner and he also spoke in terms that were easy to understand

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December 18, 2025

5.0

Best surgeon

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December 16, 2025

5.0

Dr. Kim was very thorough. Explained everything in terms I understood. He also told me what to expect after the surgery.

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December 16, 2025

5.0

Explain how everything would be done & the recovery process

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December 11, 2025

5.0

Dr Kim performed a fantastic lobectomy. I am forever grateful to him.He is very kind and professional. He also explains everything in simple Understanding way .

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December 11, 2025

5.0

He is among the best in his field. He saved my life

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December 05, 2025

5.0

He knows very well him and his staff what they are doing

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December 04, 2025

5.0

Wonderful Doctor

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December 02, 2025

5.0

He's patient and tells you what is going on in layman terms. Very thorough explanations. My only concern is he's lost a lot of weight. Other patients in the waiting room commented on it too. He looks good but he needs to EAT!

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December 02, 2025

5.0

Extremely nice Dr keep me informed on what was going to happen and he followed up in a timely way

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November 30, 2025

5.0

Exceptional in every aspect of from surgery through the following 5 years.

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November 30, 2025

5.0

He is an incredibly competent surgeon. He does the most difficult surgeries with success. He is still building his skills.

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November 26, 2025

5.0

Appears to be a very good doctor!

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November 25, 2025

5.0

Knowledgeable, kind, and undertanding

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November 25, 2025

5.0

He taking the time to make me understand everything and that was helpful to me

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November 25, 2025

5.0

I think Dr Kim is exceptional - kind and brilliant!

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November 23, 2025

5.0

He is very thorough, knowledgeable and precise in his messaging and surgeries.

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November 23, 2025

5.0

Dr Kim explained everything to me before the surgery and the day of the surgery.

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November 21, 2025

5.0

Easy to communicate with. Follows up and reviews all aspects of care.

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November 19, 2025

5.0

Fully explained everything

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November 18, 2025

5.0

Dr. Kim is the best doctor I have ever had to deal with.

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November 07, 2025

5.0

He is simply the best!

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November 02, 2025

5.0

Good experience and thoughtful so far.

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October 30, 2025

5.0

He took time to explain and listened to my concerns and answered my questions ... a true caring professional.

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October 30, 2025

5.0

Again, Dr. Kim is great!

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October 29, 2025

5.0

He was easy to talk to

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October 29, 2025

5.0

He knows his speciality.

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October 23, 2025

5.0

Explains everything thoroughly and excellent nmanner.

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October 23, 2025

5.0

Very personable. Thorough.

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October 16, 2025

5.0

He has excellent bedside manners, he's very attentive to all of my issues and concerns. He's the best in his field.

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October 16, 2025

5.0

Extremely knowledgeable, informative and patient with me - he too was very nice.

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October 15, 2025

5.0

Addressed our concerns

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October 14, 2025

5.0

Dr Kim is very knowledgeable and thorough in his work, also is caring. I trust him.

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October 09, 2025

4.0

He is a very good doctor

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October 09, 2025

5.0

Here's a surgeon that's incredibly thorough with technical knowledge of what was needed in my surgery. I can honestly say this Doctor has given me a few more years of life, thru his knowledge and understanding of esophageal and stomach cancer. I am very thankful for his professional knowledge.

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October 07, 2025

5.0

As one of the most eminent Dr's. In his field, he was precise in his approach to my problem. The best.

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October 07, 2025

5.0

Dr. Kim is simply the best. His depth, clarity and expertise is a blessing he shares freely. Every interaction I have experienced is kind and thoughtful.

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October 07, 2025

5.0

Dr Kim explained everything very well and he was compassionate.

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October 06, 2025

5.0

He's awesome.

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October 03, 2025

5.0

He did successful surgery on my lung.

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October 02, 2025

5.0

Dr Kim is a confident, professional and skilled Surgeon.

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September 28, 2025

5.0

Excellent Dr.

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September 25, 2025

5.0

Kind and professional.

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September 23, 2025

5.0

Dr Kim and Dr Trevor shows compassion for the patient they let you know what's going on what your options are they're very thorough I love my theatric family nursing staff and all

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September 23, 2025

5.0

He is highly recommended

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September 21, 2025

5.0

Funny kind companionate

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September 18, 2025

5.0

Thorough and informative

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September 16, 2025

5.0

Extremely knowledgeable

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September 11, 2025

5.0

Dr. Kim continues to exceed expectations - he is professional, educational and kind. His staff is the same. There are conversational questions to feel as if you are a person to him not a number or 'just another patient' - thank you Dr. Kim!

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September 09, 2025

5.0

He preformed a very complicated surgery and I am blessed to have found him.

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September 09, 2025

5.0

Very good surgery he show you all what he have done

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September 09, 2025

5.0

He is the best of the best. He is been 1

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September 08, 2025

5.0

Dr. Kim is amazing! Answered all my questions and was attentive to my concerns

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September 02, 2025

5.0

Great surgeon

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September 01, 2025

5.0

He's my favorite young, happy, thorough Doctor!

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August 28, 2025

5.0

Very good reputation And consult went very well with great explanation for the reason for surgery

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August 26, 2025

5.0

He has a compassionate and direct bedside manner. I appreciated his advice "if you were my sister, I would not wait" when I was trying to figure out next steps in my cancer treatment.

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August 26, 2025

5.0

Doctor Samuel Kim is very professional and extremely knowledgeable in his field. Helped me understand the severity of my condition with great explanation. I felt very confident in his plan and direction for my next step in my health journey.

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August 14, 2025

5.0

After my first appointment with Dr. Kim, I still have some questions and felt very nervous about my upcoming surgery. So I made a second appointment with him. He was very kind, took the time to listen, and patiently answered all my questions. His warmth and expertise gave me real peace of mind and made me feel less nervous about the surgery. I truly appreciate!

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August 12, 2025

5.0

He is friendly and good at what he does.

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August 06, 2025

5.0

Dr. Kim is extremely competent, knowledgeable, and has a very common sense approach, which I appreciate. He is extremely professional, courteous, and polite.

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August 05, 2025

5.0

Professionalism. Gave me my life back

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August 05, 2025

5.0

For the same reasons given in response to the previous question. In addition, I have very dear friends well-educated highly informed and had treated with Dr Kim. I believe that their opinion of him was well-earned

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August 05, 2025

5.0

Again very professional and caring

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July 24, 2025

5.0

Confidant in his knowledge

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July 23, 2025

5.0

During Telehealthappointment. Explained my test results clearly, took time to listen and answer all my questions.

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July 22, 2025

5.0

Very professional & caring. Also good concise informational skills

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July 22, 2025

5.0

Dr Kim is a very knowledgeable doctor and explains everything so that you can understand your treatment your surgeries and how to take care of yourself. I am so fortunate to have him as a doctor.

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Disclosures

Industry Relationships

Consulting

Faculty member and/or their immediate family have engaged in activities such as speaking, advising, consulting, or providing educational programs for the following companies or other entities

Intuitive Surgical, Inc.

Faculty member received compensation for medical record consultation and/or expert witness testimony.

External Professional Relationships

Pharmaceutical, device, and biotechnology companies frequently collaborate with basic scientists and physicians within an academic medical center to help advance science and improve patient care. These relationships are important in achieving scientific breakthroughs and in establishing the effectiveness and safety of promising new therapies. In order to assure objectivity in clinical research and patient care, the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine (Feinberg), Northwestern Memorial HealthCare, Children's Hospital of Chicago Medical Center, and the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab have adopted integrity policies that require research and clinical faculty (in full-time, part-time, and unpaid/voluntary categories) to report compensated and uncompensated external industry relationships. Patients are encouraged to discuss these disclosures with their physician as well as to inquire as to how these relationships are overseen by Feinberg. To learn more about our Disclosure and Professional Integrity Policy, and the conflict of interest policies of our joint affiliate survey partners, please go to our Office for Regulatory Affairs Policies page.

View More Disclosures

HealthBeat

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Minimally invasive procedures enable earlier diagnosis and better treatment options.

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