Biography


Dr. William T. Kuo is an award-winning physician, clinical researcher, innovator, educator, and patient advocate. He was born in St. Louis, MO and attended high school in Southeast Missouri where he graduated valedictorian. He attended college at Duke University where he received a BS degree with honors. He earned an MD degree from Wake Forest University School of Medicine with distinction in radiology, winning the Meschan Award for radiology excellence. His surgical internship was accomplished at Virginia Mason Medical Center in Seattle, WA. He then trained in a combined Interventional & Diagnostic Radiology Residency program at the University of Rochester Medical Center where he served as Chief Resident, and he was among the first in the nation to complete the Clinical Pathway in Interventional Radiology – ABR prototype for the current Integrated IR-DR Residency. Following this, Dr. Kuo completed Interventional Radiology Fellowship at Stanford University Medical Center. After fellowship, Dr. Kuo was recruited to become faculty in the Stanford Division of Vascular and Interventional Radiology where he was appointed Assistant Professor in 2006, promoted to Associate Professor in 2013, and promoted to Professor of Radiology – Interventional Radiology in 2017.

Dr. Kuo is a recognized expert on advanced IVC filter retrieval, venous interventions, thrombolysis, and catheter-directed therapy (CDT) for acute pulmonary embolism (PE). He has written many seminal and award-winning papers, and his work has been cited in all major guidelines on antithrombotic therapy for venous thromboembolism. In 2009, his PE meta-analysis was the first to reveal the safety and effectiveness of CDT as a life-saving procedure for acute massive PE, leading to major changes in treatment guidelines. Dr. Kuo’s landmark meta-analysis eventually led to wide adoption of catheter-directed therapy for acute life-threatening PE – the 3rd leading cause of cardiovascular death. His work has also inspired many investigators to pursue research on percutaneous PE interventions; and today, based on these collective efforts, Catheter-Directed Therapy is now recognized around the world as a valid treatment option for patients with life-threatening PE.

At Stanford, Dr. Kuo also pioneered the field of advanced IVC filter retrieval. Among several innovations, Dr. Kuo invented excimer laser-assisted IVC filter retrieval and he was the first to perform this procedure in humans. For this achievement, he received the Gary J. Becker Young Investigator Award in 2011 from the SIR Foundation. Following this, his first-in-human clinical trial led to FDA clearance of the CavaClear Laser Sheath, and he received the international Award of Excellence and Innovation in IR from CIRSE in 2022.

Dr. Kuo's protocols and innovations have changed the paradigm on managing embedded vena cava filters, to help address the epidemic of filter-related morbidity. His techniques have allowed thousands more patients each year, previously diagnosed with an irretrievable filter, to achieve safe and successful filter removal regardless of dwell time. In 2010, Dr. Kuo established the Stanford IVC Filter Clinic as a quaternary referral center dedicated to treating patients with embedded filters and filter-related complications. His clinic routinely accepts challenging cases from around the country and around the world. Dr. Kuo has successfully treated thousands of filter patients referred from all 50 states and from over 10 countries.

His innovative work has been featured on multiple media outlets including the Australian media, Canadian CTV network, ABC News, and NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt. He was also featured in the Netflix Original Documentary –The Bleeding Edge. Dr. Kuo has testified as an expert before the FDA, and he was invited to publish his expertise in the New England Journal of Medicine.

He and his wife Rachel have 2 children and live near the Stanford campus.

Professional Summary


Education & Certifications
  • Board Certification: American Board of Radiology, Interventional Radiology and Diagnostic Radiology (2017)
  • Fellowship: Stanford University Medical Center (2006) CA
  • Residency: University of Rochester (2005) NY
  • Internship: Virginia Mason Medical Center (2001) WA
  • Medical Education: Wake Forest University-School of Medicine (2000) NC
  • College, Duke University, BS in Biology with Honors, NC (1996)

Honors & Awards
  • America's Top Doctors, Castle Connolly Medical Ltd. (2013-2024)
  • America’s Most Honored Professionals, The American Registry (2016-2019)
  • Award of Excellence and Innovation in IR, Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiological Society of Europe (CIRSE) (2022)
  • Best Doctors in America, Best Doctors Polling & Research (2017, 2018, 2019, 2020)
  • Best Papers Selection, American Venous Forum (2016)
  • Chief Resident in Radiology, University of Rochester Medical Center (2003-2005)
  • Compassionate Doctor Award, PatientsChoice.org (2012-2020)
  • Distinguished Abstract, Society of Interventional Radiology (2015)
  • Distinguished Reviewer Award, Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology (2007)
  • Dr. Gary J. Becker Young Investigator Award, Society of Interventional Radiology Foundation (2011)
  • Editors' Choice Article, Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology (2015)
  • Elected To Fellowship, American College of Chest Physicians (2008)
  • Elected to Fellowship, American College of Radiology (2020)
  • Elected to Fellowship, Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiological Society of Europe (2014)
  • Elected to Fellowship, Society for Vascular Medicine (2015)
  • Elected to Fellowship, Society of Interventional Radiology (2011)
  • Featured Manuscript, Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology (2011)
  • Featured Manuscript, Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology (2013)
  • Featured Manuscript, Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology (2018)
  • Featured Manuscript-ACR/Reuters National Press Release, American College of Radiology (2008)
  • Featured Manuscript-JVIR/SIR National Press Release, Society of Interventional Radiology (2003)
  • Featured Manuscript-SIR National Press Release, Society of Interventional Radiology (2009)
  • Featured Paper, Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiological Society of Europe (2014)
  • I. Meschan Radiology Merit Award, Wake Forest University School of Medicine (2000)
  • Letter of Commendation-Integrated IR-DR Residency Program, ACGME (2016)
  • Letter of Commendation-Interventional Radiology Fellowship Program, ACGME (2012)
  • On-Time Physician Award, Vitals.com (2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020)
  • Outstanding Faculty Award, Society of Interventional Radiology (2010)
  • Patients' Choice Award, PatientsChoice.org (2012-2020)
  • Resident/Fellow Research Award - Mentor to Alexander Sheu, SIR Foundation (2017)
  • Resident/Fellow Research Award - Mentor to Andrew Kesselman, SIR Foundation (2017)
  • SIR Leadership Academy, Society of Interventional Radiology (2009)
  • Top 10 Doctor Award, Vitals.com (2012, 2013, 2014, 2015)
  • Top 5 Best Poster Award, American College of Chest Physicians (2007)

Administrative Appointments
  • Director-Interventional Radiology Fellowship Program, Department of Radiology - Stanford University Medical Center (2008 - 2020)
  • Director-Interventional Radiology Residency Program, Department of Radiology - Stanford University Medical Center (2016 - Present)
  • Founder & Director-Stanford IVC Filter Clinic, Division of Vascular & Interventional Radiology - Stanford University Medical Center (2010 - Present)
  • Interim Chief of Vascular & Interventional Radiology, Department of Radiology - Stanford University Medical Center (June-Sept) (2017 - 2017)
  • Interim Chief of Vascular & Interventional Radiology, Department of Radiology - Stanford Healthcare (June-Sept) (2020 - 2020)
  • Interim Chief of Vascular & Interventional Radiology, Department of Radiology - Stanford Healthcare (Sept-Dec) (2021 - 2021)
  • Interim Chief of Vascular & Interventional Radiology, Department of Radiology - Stanford Healthcare (Sept-Dec) (2022 - 2022)
  • Interim Chief of Vascular & Interventional Radiology, Department of Radiology - Stanford Healthcare (Oct-Dec) (2023 - 2023)

Publications

Specializing In

Practice Locations


Interventional Radiology in Palo Alto Palo Alto, CA
Palo Alto, CA

875 Blake Wilbur Drive

Palo Alto , CA 94304

(650) 736-9081

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Imaging Services at Stanford Medicine Imaging Center in Palo Alto Palo Alto, CA
Palo Alto, CA

451 Sherman Avenue

Palo Alto , CA 94306

(650) 723-6855

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Imaging Services at Stanford Medicine Cancer Center Palo Alto, CA
Palo Alto, CA

875 Blake Wilbur Drive

Palo Alto , CA 94304

(650) 723-6855

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