International Women’s Day: Dr. Irene Kim on Motherhood, Mentorship & Transplant Leadership

In this special International Women’s Day bonus episode of the Living Transplant Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Irene Kim — abdominal transplant surgeon, Director of the Transplant Center at Cedars-Sinai, and the Esther and Mark Schulman Endowed Chair in Transplant Medicine.

Beyond her many titles, Dr. Kim is also a mentor, a leader, and a mother. In this thoughtful and deeply human conversation, she reflects on the realities of balancing a demanding surgical career with family life, the mentors who shaped her journey in transplant medicine, and the lessons that come with leadership.

Dr. Kim shares why motherhood has been one of the most humbling roles in her life, how strong support systems make success possible, and why mentorship doesn’t have to be gendered. She also opens up about how personal experiences with illness can reshape the way physicians connect with their patients.

The episode closes with a powerful reflection inspired by author J.D. Salinger — a reminder that in a world constantly pushing us to do more and be more, sometimes the most meaningful realization is simply knowing when we already have enough.

In honour of International Women’s Day, this conversation celebrates the women leading, caring, mentoring, and shaping the future of medicine and our communities.

Links and Resources

Cedars-Sinai Medical Center: https://www.cedars-sinai.org

J.D. Salinger, The Catcher in the Rye: https://www.amazon.com/Catcher-Rye-J-D-Salinger/dp/0316769487

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/irene-kim

International Women’s Day: https://www.internationalwomensday.com/

UHN Women: https://www.uhn.ca/corporate/AboutUHN/UHNWomen

Learn more about living organ donation: www.livingorgandonation.ca

Living Kidney & Liver Donation at UHN: UHN Ajmera Transplant Centre

Information Sessions for potential donors: givelifeuhn.eventbrite.ca

Each episode, we share patient stories about organ donation from transplant recipients and living donors, along with insights and education from leading medical experts. Whether you’re a patient, a caregiver, a donor, or simply curious about the world of organ transplantation, you’ll hear expert advice and inspiring journeys of hope, resilience, and second chances.

About our Host

Candice Coghlan is the Education & Outreach Coordinator at the Centre for Living Organ Donation at the UHN Ajmera Transplant Centre. She is also a board member for the National Kidney Foundation and a kidney transplant recipient. After she was diagnosed with kidney failure in her early 20s, she was on dialysis until receiving a transplant from her mother.

Have questions? Comments? Ideas for an episode? Please reach out to the Centre for Living Organ Donation at [e-mail]. Thanks for spending your time with us.

The views and opinions expressed in this episode do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Toronto General or University Health Network.