Meet Dr. Joseph Ku

Riverside plastic surgeon Dr. Joseph Ku trained extensively at the prestigious University of California San Diego. A native of Southern California, he attended Damien High School where he graduated with honors.

He completed his undergraduate training at UCSD with a major in Biochemistry/Cell Biology and a minor in Spanish Literature, all this in just three years. While at UCSD, Dr. Ku was elected into the prestigious Phi Beta Kappa organization for his academic achievements. He went on to complete his medical education at UCSD, obtaining his M.D. degree in 2000.

Dr. Ku was recruited to continue his post-graduate education at UCSD Medical Center, where he completed a five-year general surgery program and proceeded to become a diplomate of the American Board of Surgery. His ambitions lead him to seek additional training in what he considered to be the most challenging of professions, plastic surgery.

He moved to Salt Lake City, UT, where he completed a full residency in plastic and reconstructive surgery, including a Chief Resident year. His love of Southern California brought him back to Riverside, where his hard work and dedication to all his patients have made a positive impression on both his patients and medical professional collegues.

Dr. Joseph Ku is double board certifed by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and the American Board of Surgery, and holds priviledges at Riverside Community Hospital, Corona Regional Medical Center and Parkview Community Hospital.

Languages

Spanish (Fluent)
Korean  (Fluent)

Education / Training

Licensure

Honors and Awards

Publications and National Presentations

“The Deep Inferior Epigastric Artery: Anatomy and Applicability as a Source of Microvascular Arterial Grafts”, Joseph K. Ku MD, , Bo K.  Foreman PhD, Bradford W. Rockwell MD.. Rocky Mountain Association of Plastic Surgeons 37th Annual Meeting, Park City, UT. Feb 18, 2007.

“The Deep Inferior Epigastric Artery: Anatomy and Applicability as a Source of Microvascular Arterial Grafts”, Joseph K. Ku MD, , Bo K.  Foreman PhD, Bradford W. Rockwell MD.. Senior Resident Conference. Pasadena, Ca. Feb 2, 2007.

“The Effects of Resident Work-Hour Restrictions on Clinical Exposures and Prerequisite Training.”, Raffy L. Karamanoukian MD, Joseph Ku MD, Jacob DeLaRosa MD, Hratch L. Karamanoukian MD, Gregory R. D. Evans MD. American Surgeon

“Metaplastic Breast Cancer: Clinical Features and Outcomes.” Glen R. Gibson, M.D., Dajun Qian, Ph.D.,  Joseph K. Ku M.D., Lily L. Lai, M.D. Presented at Annual Meeting, Southern California Chapter of the American College of Surgeons, January 21-23, 2005, Santa Barbara, California.

“Metaplastic Breast Cancer: Clinical Features and Outcomes.” Glen R. Gibson, M.D., Dajun Qian, Ph.D.,  Joseph K. Ku M.D., Lily L. Lai, M.D. American Surgeon (2005) September 71:725-730

“Metastatic Meningioma to the Liver Successfully Treated with Wedge Resection and Radiation Therapy: Report of a Case.” Joseph K. Ku, Julio C. Vasquez, David D. Hoyt, Raul Coimbra. Surg Today (2005) 35:82-85
“Acute Cholecystitis with Hemocholecyst as an Unusual Presentation of Gallbladder Cancer: Report of a Case.” Joseph K. Ku MD, Jacob DeLaRosa MD, Justin Kang MD, Raul Coimbra MD., Surg Today (2004) 34:973-97

“Hemochelecyst : An Unusual Presentation of Gallbladder Cancer,” Joseph K. Ku MD, Jacob DeLaRosa MD,  Raul Coimbra MD. Presented at the American College of Surgeons, Chicago. 2002

“New Indication for Aortofemoral Bypass,” Jacob DeLaRosa MD, Seven Sparks MD, Erick Owens MD, Joseph Ku MSIV, John Bergen MD. Presented at the American College of Surgeons, San Francisco. 2001

“Neuroprotective Agent for the Treatment of Intracerebral Hematoma,” Joseph K. Ku MSIV, Patrick D. Lyden MD. UCSD School of Medicine Archives, 1999

Local Presentations and Research

“Morphometry of Ear in Children and Adults”, Joseph K. Ku MD, Fazzi A. Siddiqi MD, Bo K. Foreman PhD,  Bradford W. Rockwell MD. Clinical Research (work in progress)

“Facial Nerve”, Grand Rounds Presentation. University of Utah Medical Center, Salt Lake City Utah. November 16, 2005

“Penetrating Neck Trauma: Aero-Digestive System,” Grand Rounds Presentation. UCSD Medical Center, San Diego CA. January 15, 2005

“Pre-Operative Biliary Drainage: From a Surgical Perspective,” Grand Rounds Presentation. VA Medical Center, La Jolla CA. September 11, 2004

“Carotid Dissection,” Grand Round Presentation. UCSD Medical Center, San Diego CA. April 10, 2004

“Aortoenteric Fistula,” Grand Rounds Presentation. UCSD Medical Center, San Diego CA. December 13, 2003

“Inverted Meckel’s Diverticulum: An Unusual Presentation of Meckel’s Diverticulum,” Grand Rounds Presentation. VA Medical Center, La Jolla CA. August 9, 2003

“Neuroprotective Agent for the Treatment of Intracerebral Hematoma,” Joseph K. Ku MSIV, Patrick D. Lyden MD. UCSD Poster Presentation, 1999

Certifications

Memberships

• Fellow of the American College of Surgeons
• American Society of Plastic Surgeons
• American Medical Association
• California Medical Association
• Riverside Medical Association

Research