Dr. Julie Kim, M.D., FACP
Medical Director, Brain Treatment Center Newport Beach
Dr. Julie Kim is a Board-Certified Internist with over 25 years of medical experience. Since 2013, she has served as the Medical Director of the Brain Treatment Centers in Newport Beach, San Diego, and Cardiff. Over the past decade, she has treated more than 6,000 patients with MeRT® at the flagship Brain Treatment Center in Newport Beach, where the therapy began.
How an internist came to specialize in MeRT
Before joining Brain Treatment Center, Dr. Kim practiced primary care for 14 years in the Chicago suburbs and Southern California. She moved into this work because she wanted to support brain function non-invasively, without relying on medication.
Her role in MeRT includes:
- Her own training with Wave Neuroscience, the developers of the MeRT system.
- Training other physicians: At Wave Neuroscience’s request, Dr. Kim trains and supports physicians in interpreting qEEG results and using MeRT, and has trained over 100 physicians.
- Safety protocols: She co-created the initial safety protocols and physician training programs for MeRT and TMS (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation) in partnership with Wave Neuroscience.
- Collaboration: She works alongside K. Anthony Kim, M.D., FAANS, a board-certified neurosurgeon who serves as physician liaison and Chief Medical Officer for applying MeRT to traumatic brain injury and PTSD at the Brain Treatment Centers.
Looking at the brain objectively
As Medical Director, Dr. Kim sets clinical standards for treatment across the Brain Treatment Centers, including patient evaluation, how qEEG brain maps guide each individualized treatment plan, and how progress is tracked.
MeRT uses a qEEG brain map at the start of treatment and again after every 10 treatments, so patients and families can review objective changes in brainwave patterns alongside how the patient feels.
“We see objective changes on each report: patients clinically will feel better, and the qEEG validates the changes and why they feel better.” — Dr. Julie Kim
Conditions addressed at Brain Treatment Center Newport Beach
Under Dr. Kim’s medical direction, the center works with patients across a wide range of neurological, neurodevelopmental, and mental health concerns, including autism, PTSD, traumatic brain injury and concussion, and depression. See the full list of conditions we treat.
A note on FDA status: The TMS equipment used in MeRT is FDA-cleared to treat Major Depressive Disorder and OCD. And the MeRT system is FDA-cleared to treat PTSD. At our center, MeRT protocols may be used off-label for other conditions. Learn more on our Science page.
Who you’ll meet at the center
Dr. Kim provides medical direction for the Brain Treatment Center. Day-to-day care at Newport Beach is provided by our clinical team, including Nurse Practitioner Kayleigh Prowse and Physician Assistant Sheila Stephens. Meet the team.
FAQ
Will I see Dr. Kim personally?
Dr. Kim is the Medical Director of the Brain Treatment Center Newport Beach and sets the clinical protocols and standards of care, but she doesn’t see patients day-to-day. Your care is provided by our clinical team, including Nurse Practitioner Kayleigh Prowse and Physician Assistant Sheila Stephens, working under her medical direction.
What does a Medical Director do at Brain Treatment Center?
Dr. Kim sets the clinical protocols and standards of care across the Newport Beach, San Diego, and Cardiff centers.
What is Dr. Kim's background with MeRT?
She has served as Medical Director since 2013, has treated more than 6,000 patients with MeRT at the Newport Beach center, and co-created the initial safety protocols and physician training programs for MeRT and TMS with Wave Neuroscience.
Does Dr. Kim train other physicians?
Yes. At Wave Neuroscience’s request, she trains and supports physicians in interpreting qEEG results and using MeRT, and has trained more than 100 physicians.
Where can I read more about Dr. Kim's work?
See the media and publications section on the right.
Credentials and education
- Medical degree: M.D., Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine (NEOMED), 1996
- Undergraduate:S. Integrated Life Sciences, Kent State University, 1993, summa cum laude
- Residency: Internal Medicine, Lutheran General Hospital, Park Ridge, IL
- Board certification: American Board of Internal Medicine (current; recertified 2009)
- Fellowship: Fellow, American College of Physicians
- Medical Board of California License: A 76770
- NPI: 1194892026
- Profiles: Healthgrades · Tebra · LinkedIn