About Me

Hi, my name is Dr. Judy Ko. Welcome to my Web page! I hope you’ll take a few minutes to learn about me, and the role I play as a member of the Kaiser Permanente health care team.

Biography

I was born in Taiwan but raised in Michigan and California. After college on the East Coast, I returned to Los Angeles for medical school and my residency training. Coming from a family of doctors (my father, two brothers, and multiple cousins are all physicians), I was inspired early on by my father's dedication to helping people. It’s an honor and now a family tradition to be able to apply my interest and education in science in a humanitarian, beneficial way through my daily work.

About my practice

As a pathologist, I work mostly behind the scenes, examining with my eyes and microscope the wide variety of diseases that affect the organs and tissues of the human body. At this hospital, several of the pathologists do fine needle aspiration biopsies, and we all assist other doctors in the hospital with various kinds of biopsies. We’re also involved in the blood bank and other hospital laboratory operations. Our major task is to identify the disease process, and to provide important information the doctor(s) need to treat the member appropriately as part of the medical team.

How I thrive

I strive for balance between my work and personal life. Exercise, going for walks in the fresh air, travelling to and exploring new and familiar places, getting together with friends, being with family, gardening, and reading are just some of the many things I do to keep stress in check, and maintain mental and physical health. My time in medicine, beginning as a medical student—and especially since I decided to specialize in my field—has shown me that life is truly a gift. I try to make the most of every minute and keep a positive attitude, which helps my spirit and my mind.