Dr. Hoon Kang, MD

Welcome to my Web page. I am happy to have this chance to introduce myself to you and tell you about my practice. I feel very fortunate to work at Kaiser Permanente, where I have fantastic colleagues and patients. I look forward to working with you to care for your health.

Biography
I was born in Seoul, Korea, but my family moved to Southern California when I was 12 years old. I attended high school in West Torrance, where I was valedictorian of my graduating class. I did my undergraduate studies at UC Berkeley in chemistry with an interest in pursuing medicine. I entered a combined medical-graduate program (MD-PhD) at the Univerisity of Illinois because I wanted to use both science and medicine in my future practice. After surviving freezing weather for many years, I wanted to come back to Southern California and be close to my family. I chose the radiology residency at UC Irvine Medical Center because I knew that I would be using science and medicine in the highly technical …field of radiology. I also completed a fellowship in interventional radiology at UC San Diego, and as a result I can use image guidance and other current science and technologies to perform minimally invasive surgery.

About my practice
Interventional radiology is a unique field in which I use exciting current technologies, along with image guidance, to treat patients. This is also exciting to my patients, since these treatments are effective and minimally invasive, which means fewer complications and short or no hospital stays. I use computed tomography or X-ray to guide small needles and tubes to treat cancer and other diseases and to repair the body internally. For example, I insert a small needle to destroy cancer cells by freezing or heating them. I use tiny tubes and particles to treat uterine fibroids. I use a high-frequency probe to get rid of varicose veins. I inject bone cement into broken bones of the back to provide support and pain relief. After a procedure, most of my patients go home the same day. My team is composed of nurses and technologists who are highly trained and do exemplary work. The surgeon and the other physician colleagues I work with frequently consult me, which I also enjoy.

How I thrive
I firmly believe in Kaiser Permanente's philosophy of keeping a balanced life, and I try to practice it myself every day. My family life is my major priority. I look forward to regular family outings that allow us to eat out, play sports (especially golf), go to the beach, and enjoy worship at our church. I also enjoy surfing and sailing. I work out on a regular basis to keep my body healthy.