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Dr. Kimberly Kirkwood specializes in treating pancreatic cancer as well as tumors of the stomach, spleen, gallbladder, bile duct and gastrointestinal tract. She is an expert in applying minimally invasive techniques to treat abdominal tumors and has a particular interest in improving outcomes for patients after pancreas surgery.

Kirkwood's research focuses on understanding how pancreatic cancer develops at a cellular level.

Kirkwood earned her medical degree at the University of Pennsylvania. At Massachusetts General Hospital, she completed a residency in general surgery, followed by a fellowship in advanced general surgery with a focus on pancreatic surgery. She also completed a three-year surgical research fellowship in diseases of the liver and biliary tract at the University of California, Los Angeles.

Kirkwood is active in many national societies, including the Pancreas Club, Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract, Association for Academic Surgery and Society of University Surgeons.

  • Board Certifications

    American Board of Surgery, Surgery, 1994

  • Fellowships

    Los Angeles County-Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Gastroenterology, 1991

  • Residencies

    Massachusetts General Hospital, General Surgery, 1994

    Massachusetts General Hospital, General Surgery, 1988

  • Internship

    Massachusetts General Hospital, General Surgery, 1986

  • Education

    University of Pennsylvania, 1985

  • Languages

    English

Where I see patients (2)

    My reviews

    5.0

    Overall Experience
    131 Ratings
    About our process
    Mar 25, 2025
    Dr Kimberly Kirkwood is outstanding!
    Feb 25, 2025
    Good!
    Feb 11, 2025
    Excellent care
    Feb 06, 2025
    She was very thorough and very informative
    Feb 06, 2025
    Once the appointment started , everything went well.
    Feb 04, 2025
    Thought Dr Kirkwood was so proactively informative and excellent with her explanation of the injury and how the surgery will correct it.
    Jan 31, 2025
    Dr Kirkwood did an excellent job of explaining my hernia to me, how it could be treated and what my options were.
    Jan 28, 2025
    First appointment. Very attentive and concerned
    Jan 28, 2025
    I had scheduled an appointment with Dr. Kirkwood because I Had some questions about whether and when I might want to pursue hernia surgery. Dr. Kirkwood did a full examination and determined that I had not one, but two hernias. Dr. Kirkwood and then explained the technique that she most commonly uses at her practice, which is to say, laparoscopic surgery, and explain the advantages Of laparoscopic surgery over alternatives, such as Surgery that involves making an incision directly over the hernia, As well as Shouldice surgery. Because I had some questions and concerns about surgical mesh, Dr. Kirkwood explained at length improvements that have been made in surgical mesh over the past several years, as well as improvements in the understanding of the way surgical mesh interacts with the body, and explained that nowadays, Care is taken to ensure that surgical mesh is insulated from the intestines by the peritoneum, if I remember correctly. At any rate, Dr. Kirkwood took the time to listen to and patiently answer all of my questions, and put my mind at ease about a surgery that I will likely need, as well as a lay the concerns I have been carrying around with regard to surgical mesh. At this point, I think it's just a matter of deciding when would be the best time to do the surgery, As the meeting with Dr. Kirkwood was confidence in inspiring.
    Jan 17, 2025
    Dr. Kirkwood was approachable and knowledgeable.
    Nov 19, 2024
    Dr. Kirkwood and her team are fabulous.
    Nov 07, 2024
    I am grateful to be in the care of Dr. Kirkwood. I don't think there could be a better physician to address my pancreatic concerns.
    Nov 05, 2024
    Dr. Kirkwood is outstanding! Very easy to talk to. Very thorough and detailed virtual visit.
    Oct 30, 2024
    I felt well informed and in good hands with Dr. Kirkwood.
    Oct 02, 2024
    I am truly honored to be a patient of Kimberly Kirkwood! She and her team are fantastic
    Sep 23, 2024
    Great Doctor for my problem best information I got for my medical condition.
    Sep 10, 2024
    All good
    Jul 25, 2024
    On all levels Dr. Kirkwood and her staff were outstanding, kind, thorough and communicated everything so well.
    Jul 23, 2024
    Dr. Kirkwood is an extraordinary professional
    May 21, 2024
    Dr. Mirkwood is excellent
    May 21, 2024
    I am extremely fortunate to be under Dr kirkwood's care!Her knowledge,wisdom kidness ,understanding and Genuine concerns for her patient (me) along with her display of professionalism is very impressive.
    Apr 30, 2024
    Probably well informed. Excellent communication skills.
    Apr 25, 2024
    Dr.Kirkwood is the "best"!
    Apr 17, 2024
    Absolutely the best interaction with the doctors and other staff.
    Apr 16, 2024
    Dr. Kirkwood is exceptional. She always listens and I always feel confident in her care. I really appreciate her advice.
    Apr 11, 2024
    Dr. Kirkwood is an outstanding physician who almost always covers all of my questions before I have a chance to ask them. She always allows plenty of time to cover any questions and concerns. She Is such a nice and friendly person. I feel so lucky to have her as my doctor.
    Apr 03, 2024
    Dr. Kirkwood, Jennifer and Stephanie were very kind, compassionate, listened to my symptoms and previous care and quickly developed a plan to further investigate my health issues.
    Mar 23, 2024
    Dr. Kirkwood is caring. Provides clear explanations. She takes the time to answer any questions you may have. Dr. Kirkwood and her team are the best.
    Nov 28, 2023
    Had a good visit and I feel very comfortable with this provider.
    Oct 19, 2023
    I appreciate Dr. Kirkwood taking the time to explain the process to me and understand my overwhelming fear of any surgery.
    Aug 08, 2023
    Dr. Kirkwood gave me the time to ask my list of questions and concerns and continued to educate me on my condition.
    May 28, 2023
    I was thrilled with my experience and so fortunate to be in Dr. Kirkwood and her team's care.
    Decorative Caduceus

    UCSF PANC Cyst Registry

    While not the primary outcome measure, the development of cancer from a pancreatic cyst is a critically important study endpoint, which the investigators do not expect to be frequent occurrence.

    Recruiting

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