About Dr. Betty Kim,
Heart Valve Surgeon

"Dr. Kim was well prepared for a "re-entry" procedure to replace my mitral valve (which had been repaired 16 years prior). She anticipated the challenges of entering a "hostile chest" and completed my valve replacement under the toughest of circumstances.

Dr. Kim's follow up has exceeded expectations... 3 personal phone calls over the ensuing weeks of healing. Her entire team, both in the OR and in the office, has been attentive and supportive in answering my questions and making themselves available. Even on Friday afternoons at 4:30PM!

I highly recommend Dr. Kim for ANY cardiac surgery procedure, without hesitation."

-- Warren Wright, Mitral Valve, Valve Replacement, Reoperation, Median Sternotomy, 03/04/2025

"Dr. Betty Kim was fantastic from the first initial appointment through to the aftercare. As soon as I met her, she put me at ease as she described what the surgery would entail. She was thorough and answered all the questions I had to my understanding.

The surgery was a success, and the aftercare was kind and spot-on from the nurses and CNAs at Penrose Hospital to Dr. Kim's staff and NP Lyndsay Knopp.

I received multiple phone calls asking how I was doing and answering questions along the way. I am now four weeks out from the surgery and doing well."

-- Holly Gronseth, Aortic Valve, Valve Replacement, Median Sternotomy, Maze Procedure, 11/21/2024

"I have nothing but praise for Dr. Kim and her team. I had an all around amazing experience at a very scary time in my life. Thank you so much Dr. Kim for saving my life."

-- Kathy Algiere, Aortic Valve, Valve Replacement, Mini Sternotomy, 07/12/2024

"Dr. Betty Kim restored my quality of life. I was experiencing severe regurgitation (4+ on a scale of 1 to 4) due to mitral valve prolapse which had progressively gotten worse since surfacing during an exam over ten years ago. Additionally, one of the chords had ruptured.

While meeting with Dr. Kim [pre-op] she said that the intervention would result in the regurgitation being less than 1 after the surgery had been completed and she would be able to use a minimally invasive procedure. Also, there may need to be decisions made once she was able to look at my heart during the operation (she covered those options too). Dr. Kim stopped by to meet with me and my family before the surgery.

I had no doubts about everything going well and was at peace as I entered the OR. I again saw Dr. Kim a few days later (she checked on me several times), she said she initially repaired the valve but wasn't satisfied with the result. So, she moved forward with replacing the valve.

I'm so happy she did and that she was my surgeon. I'm feeling great and very thankful for Dr. Kim (and her team)! Dr. Kim is awesome!!! Thank you!!!"

-- Robert Troudt, Mitral Valve, Valve Replacement, 02/22/2024

"I had my aortic valve replaced by Dr. Kim and her team in June of 2022. I was amazed that the procedure could be done with minimal pain and that I avoided going on the heart lung bypass machine.

Before my surgery I was very sick. I could not even walk in my trilevel home due to feeling so short of air. I also had severe fatigue which kept me from enjoying my favorite activities and leaving my home. When I heard about the minimally invasive procedure it seems like a good fit for me because I knew I needed my valve fixed but I was scared about undergoing a big procedure requiring a large incision and general anesthesia.

Dr. Kim’s team helped guide me through the process of testing and I was able to quickly undergo my procedure. Dr Kim expertly used my carotid artery as the access point to allow a minimally invasive catheter based valve to be placed in my old aortic valve. The anesthesiologist used moderate sedation and I was able to breathe on my own without a ventilator. I was moved quickly from the operating room and I spent only one night in the hospital.

Since coming home, I have gained more strength and endurance with the help of cardiac rehabilitation. I am now able to get out of my home and enjoy my family again without feeling so short of breath. Everyone tells me that I have so much more color and life in my face since the surgery. I am so thankful that I underwent this procedure by Dr Kim and her expert team at Penrose Hospital. "

-- Ralph Gustafson, Aortic Valve, Transcatheter, 06/15/2022

"Dr. Kim is the best in town. I would recommend her to anyone needing any type of heart surgery in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Very easy to talk to. Explanation of my conditions and the surgical procedures were spot on. Kudos to her and her team; they took great care of me."

-- Andrae Farr, Aortic Valve, Valve Replacement, Root Replacement, 01/20/2022

"Dr. Betty Kim was very thorough, an expert in action. This surgery gave me back my life to live to the fullest. She follows-up to see how my replacement of my heart valve is wearing after four years and I am delighted to say it shows no evidence of wear and tear. I highly recommend her for any surgery she does."

-- Jan Smith, Aortic Valve, Valve Replacement, 04/09/2020

"I knew Dr. Betty Kim was the surgeon for me after my consult with her. I was impressed with her background and experience and her ability to put me at ease. I liked the approach she considered in correcting my defective Aortic valve. She was very personable and I appreciated her direct follow-up following surgery. She called me 2 days prior to surgery to confirm I was ready, and while this might have been routine, It added a little personal touch. I was very impressed with Dr. Betty Kim and the entire surgical team. "

-- Dwight Miller, Aortic Valve, Valve Repair, Valve Replacement, 11/02/2016