Sam Ko

Background

I'm a Board Certified Emergency Physician. In 2017 I founded Reset Ketamine, the first ketamine infusion clinic in Palm Springs. We treat people with depression, PTSD, anxiety, OCD, and chronic pain.

I also co-founded Ketamine StartUp, an online course that helps physicians open their own ketamine clinics, and I teach the stellate ganglion block (SGB) procedure to doctors at LearnSGB.

Training

Emergency Medicine ResidencyLoma Linda University Medical Center
MDUniversity of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry
MBASimon Business School, University of Rochester
BSSeattle University

Sam Ko in a white coat and stethoscope, smiling. — Sam Ko, MD, MBA

Current work

The Ketamine StartUp Podcast

I host it with my wife, Kim Ko, MD. We talk with clinicians about building and running ketamine practices. Listen on Apple Podcasts.

Episode 69

Courses for physicians

AI for DoctorsA three-week live course on using AI for research, learning, notes, and insurance lettersJoin the waitlist
Ketamine StartUpHow to open and run a ketamine clinic
LearnSGBTraining in the stellate ganglion block procedure

Academic writing

Interdisciplinary, Delphi-Driven Consensus Guidelines on the Use of Intravenous Ketamine Infusions for Depressive Disorders from the American Society of Ketamine Physicians, Psychotherapists, and Practitioners (ASKP3)Consensus guidelines · Journal of Affective Disorders · One of 20 authors, led by David S. MathaiPublished May 2026
When the River Meets the Forest: Bridging Emergency and Pain MedicineVoices in Pain Medicine · American Academy of Pain Medicine · With Jessica C. Oswald, MD, Jonathan B. Lee, MD, Joshua K. Perese, MD, and Philip S. Fallah, MDPublished July 2026
Seeing the Whole Elephant: Emergency Medicine and the Changing Pipeline to Pain MedicineEditorial · Pain Practice · With Vincent K. Huynh, DO, and Sayed E. Wahezi, MDSubmitted, under review
Combined Ketamine Therapy + Bilateral Two Level Stellate Ganglion Block (SGB) for OCD and Anxiety Symptoms: A Case ReportCase report · Psychopharmacology Bulletin · With Francesca C. Basirico, Sara Herman, MD, and Kamen V. Vlassakov, MDSubmitted, under review

Professional service

Finance Committee member at the American Academy of Pain Medicine. Expert Faculty at the American Society of Ketamine Physicians, Psychotherapists & Practitioners (ASKP3), and former co-chair of its standards committee. Read my AAPM member profile.

Writing

First entries coming soon.

Speaking

Stellate Ganglion Block (SGB) As an Adjunct to Ketamine TherapyWith Sara Herman, MD · ASKP3, Austin, TX
Opening A Ketamine Clinic: An Unconventional Path for Emergency PhysiciansACEP Scientific Assembly 2024, Las Vegas, NV
Ketamine Infusion Therapy and BeyondPalm Springs Psychedelic Society, Palm Springs, CA
Ketamine for Non-Anesthetic Indications: A New Paradigm in MedicineNEST Harm Reduction, Palm Springs, CA
Yale Psychedelic Science GroupYale University
Loma Linda University School of MedicineLoma Linda, CA
Salon for the ParchiesPalm Springs, CA
Arizona Psychedelics ConferenceTempe, AZ
Cancer PartnersPalm Desert, CA
Riverside EMS/CAL FireRiverside, CA
Michael’s House Treatment CenterPalm Springs, CA
American Academy of Emergency MedicineNew York, NY

Press, podcasts & film

ER Doctor Transitions to Ketamine Therapy: Founding a Clinic and Transforming Mental HealthDirty White Coat Podcast with Mel Herbert
The Ketamine Story: Transforming Treatment for Mood Disorders and PainYahoo Finance
50 Unconventional Clinical Careers for PhysiciansBook chapter
Starting A Ketamine Clinic: Another Option for EPsEmergency Medicine News
Pursuit of KetamineAmazon Prime documentary
A Look Inside Ketamine ClinicsStimulus Podcast
The Healing Power of Ketamine TherapyThe Cosmic Nurse Podcast
My Journey Opening a Ketamine ClinicWhite Coat Investor
More Than Just a TripGizmodo
Are Ketamine Infusions Addictive?American Society of Ketamine Physicians
Teaching an Old Drug New TricksBreast Cancer News
Talking About Ketamine Infusions on Desert LivingNBC Palm Springs
Ketamine, NDE and ConsciousnessThe Consciousness Podcast
Al Interviews Dr. Sam Ko on the Topic of KetamineThe Depression Files

What I care about

Being present. Thinking and writing. Solving problems, learning, and growing.

I am a husband and a father, and I seek wisdom and truth. Stoic philosophy and consciousness studies are part of that search.

In medicine I'm drawn to the cutting edge: psychedelic therapy, integrative pain care, innovative mental health treatments, and what new technology can do for doctors. Outside of it I like playing with my daughter, adventures, good stories, long form podcasts, and getting stronger.

Contact

Get in touch

Speaking, teaching, consulting, a podcast conversation, comparing notes on ketamine/psychedelic medicine, and AI for doctors. I prefer writing to phone calls, so send me a note here.

Or find me on LinkedIn.