Harvard Trained|Dual Board Certified
Facial Plastic Surgeon
Devoted exclusively to the face and neck for over a decade in Central New York.
Real seal/emblem artwork, per Momo — the boards, academies, society, medical school, and the four Harvard-affiliated teaching hospitals named in the CV as chief-resident rotation sites (Brigham and Women's, Mass General, Beth Israel Deaconess, Boston Children's).
Dr. Kim grew up in Woodland Hills, a suburb of Los Angeles, California. For his undergraduate education, he attended the University of California – Berkeley. For his undergraduate studies, he decided to major in molecular neuroscience and graduated with the highest honor. Venturing outside California, he moved to the east coast to attend Harvard Medical School in Boston, Massachusetts.
As a medical student, he developed a keen interest in plastic surgery. He was fascinated by both the technical and philosophical dimension of the specialty of plastic surgery. He explored two pathways of becoming a plastic surgeon – one, by pursuing a residency program in general plastic surgery; and the other, by completing a residency program in otolaryngology – head and neck surgery followed by fellowship training dedicated to plastic surgery exclusively of the face, head, and neck. After graduating from Harvard Medical School, he decided to follow his passion in facial plastic surgery by pursuing the latter path.
For residency training, he was accepted to the Harvard Combined Program in Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery. As the top training program, he was exposed to a wide breadth and depth of surgeries to repair both the form and function of the face, head, and neck. During his final year of residency, Dr. Kim served as the chief resident in some of the most respected hospitals in the world, including Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary / Massachusetts General Hospital, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital, and the Boston Children's Hospital.
While the residency program offered extensive training in the functional and reconstructive aspect of facial surgery, he sought to perfect his surgical skills in the aesthetic surgeries of the face, head, and neck. To achieve this goal, he completed the fellowship program accredited by the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.
Dr. Kim decided to move to Syracuse, New York to build a unique niche of a premiere, exclusively facial plastic surgery practice and bring the most up-to-date and proven surgical and non-surgical, individualized treatments to central New Yorkers. His goal is to establish a lasting reputation as a trusted and respected facial plastic surgeon in the community.
While in medical school he met his future wife, who was a student at the Harvard School of Dental Medicine. They met during the first year introductory anatomy course which was shared by Harvard medical and dental schools. While Dr. Kim was completing his residency in Boston, his wife also graduated from dental school and completed the Harvard Endodontic fellowship program. She now works as an endodontist in an endodontic group practice in central New York. Together they have three children and reside in Manlius.
In addition to his clinical work, Dr. Kim has published in numerous peer-reviewed articles, and book chapters related to facial plastic and reconstructive surgery. He has received prestigious national and international recognitions including awards bestowed by the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (2012; 2015), International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (2013), and American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery (2011). His work has been featured in major magazines and media including Marie Claire magazine, Allure magazine, US News and World Report, Chicago Tribune, Philadelphia Inquirer, and DailyMail.
"I like giving my clients an attentive, one-on-one experience... I keep up with industry advances, but I won't jump on anything just because it's new. I prefer to rely on evidence-based medicine, so I can provide my patients with safe, reliable options and aesthetically pleasing results."
"Aging is a lifelong process, and I hope to be a guide on that journey. I want to help clients look as good as they feel and bring out their very best appearance."
— Dr. Sang W. Kim, Good Housekeeping, Rochester Healthcare Profiles, 2020
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"At 63 years old having a facelift and necklift surgery was a huge decision to make. Dr. Kim was very professional and explained everything in detail. I felt very comfortable there."
"I went to four other doctors for consultation and chose Dr. Kim. Dr. Kim focused on my concerns and did not look for other issues to correct. I didn't feel like he was out to make money."
"I broke my nose 11 years ago and haven't been able to breathe well since. I'm 2 months post-op with Dr. Kim and my breathing has changed completely. My nose looks natural, with little to no scarring."
Dr. Kim performs every surgical procedure in Syracuse, at the practice's AAAHC-accredited surgical suite, and sees patients in person — not by video — at all three locations for consultation and long-term follow-up.
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