Meet Carol Lewis, M.D.
Carol M. Lewis, MD, MPH, FACS
Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Division of Surgery
About Dr. Lewis
Dr. Carol Lewis attended the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, where she received her Bachelor of Science in Asian Studies and Biology with High Honors, and was a junior inductee into the Phi Beta Kappa honor society. She then attended Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City, where she obtained both her MD with Distinction in Research and her Masters of Public Health. During medical school, she spent one year as an Albert Schweitzer fellow, educating socially-marginalized populations about access to resources, as well as two years doing basic immunology research at the National Institutes of Health. She was also inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha medical honor society. She completed her residency in the Harvard Medical School Otolaryngology Residency Program and her fellowship in head and neck cancer surgery at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.
Currently, Dr. Lewis is a Professor in the Department of Head and Neck Surgery and the ad interim Chief Patient Experience Officer at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. She is board-certified in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery with the American Board of Otolaryngology. She is also a member of the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery and the American Head and Neck Society, and is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. Her research focuses on improving the quality of head and neck cancer care, patient education, and the patient experience.
Dr. Lewis uses a multidisciplinary approach to treat a range of head and neck cancer, including skin cancer and melanoma, and mouth and throat cancer.
Present Title & Affiliation
Primary Appointment
Chief Patient Experience Officer, Ad Interim, Office of Chief Operating Officer, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
Professor, Head and Neck Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Adjunct Professor, Bobby R. Alford Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
Fellowship Director, The Randal S Weber Fellowship in Head and Neck Cancer Care Transformation and Discovery, Head and Neck Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Education & Training
Degree-Granting Education
| 2004 | Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, New York, US, Master of Public Health, Community Medicine, MPH |
| 2003 | Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, New York, US, MD |
| 1997 | University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, US, Biology, BS |
| 1997 | University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, US, Asian Studies, BS |
Postgraduate Training
| 2025-null | LEADing Teams Core, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas |
| 2019-2020 | MD Anderson Change EnABLEment Program, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas |
| 2014-2014 | Value-Based Health Care Delivery: Leadership Workshop, Harvard Business School, Texas Medical Center, Houston, Texas |
| 2011-2012 | The Heart of Leadership: Core Skills Program, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas |
| 2011-2011 | Advanced Training Program in Healthcare Delivery Improvement, Intermountain Healthcare, Institute for Healthcare Delivery Research, Salt Lake City, Utah |
| 2011-2011 | Measurement, Design, and Analysis Methods for Health Outcomes Research, Harvard School of Public Health, Center for Continuing Professional Education, Boston, Massachusetts |
| 2011-2013 | Fellowship, Comparative Effectiveness Research on Cancer in Texas Clinician-Scientist Training Program, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas |
| 2010-2010 | Outcomes Research Course, Outcomes Research Course, American College of Surgeons, Chicago, Illinois |
| 2009-2010 | Clinical Fellowship, Head and Neck Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas |
| 2008-2009 | Research Fellowship, Head and Neck Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas |
| 2004-2008 | Clinical Residency, Otolaryngology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts |
| 2003-2004 | Clinical Internship, General Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts |
| 1999-2001 | Howard Hughes Medical Institute Research Scholar Fellowship, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, Maryland |
| 1998-1999 | Albert Schweitzer Fellowship, Albert Schweitzer Foundation, Tulsa, Oklahoma |
Licenses & Certifications
| 2026 | Georgia Composite Medical Board |
| 2026 | Alabama Board of Medical Examiners |
| 2025 | Arizona Board of Medical Examiners |
| 2025 | Tennessee Board of Medical Examiners |
| 2025 | Oklahoma State Board of Medical Licensure |
| 2025 | Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners |
| 2025 | Florida Board of Medicine |
| 2025 | Patient Experience Professional Certification |
| 2009 | Diplomate - American Board of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery |
| 2009 | Texas Medical Board |
Experience & Service
Faculty Academic Appointments
Associate Professor, Head and Neck Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2016 - 2021
Assistant Professor, Head and Neck Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2010 - 2016
Administrative Appointments/Responsibilities
P11 Inpatient Medical Director, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, 2023 - 2024
Medical Director, Communication Skills Program, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2022 - Present
Facilitator, REDE to Communicate Program, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2022 - Present
Peer Messenger, Center for Professionalism Support & Success (CPSS), Member, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2022 - Present
Associate Chief Patient Experience Officer, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, 2019 - 2024
Lead, Division Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, 2019 - 2020
Head and Neck Surgeon Champion - Head and Neck Low Acuity Surgery National Surgical Quality Improvement Program, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2019 - 2023
Lead, Departmental Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, 2018 - Present
Patient Experience Officer, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, 2018 - 2024
Leader, Departmental Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, 2017 - 2018
Director, Performance Improvement Program, Head and Neck Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, 2016 - Present
Lead, Department of Head and Neck Surgery Enhanced Recovery After Surgery Program, Head and Neck Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2016 - Present
Head and Neck Surgeon Champion, Head and Neck - Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery National Surgical Quality Improvement Program, Head and Neck Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2012 - 2023
Chair, Core Curriculum Conference Series, Department of Head and Neck Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2010 - 2020
Other Professional Positions
Participant in the Measure Incubator® Postoperative Delirium Strategy Session, National Quality Forum, Washington, DC, 2019
Member - American Society of Clinical Oncology: Head and Neck Cancer Guideline Advisory Group, American Society of Clinical Oncology, 2019 - 2024
Mentor, The University of Texas Houston McGovern Medical School Women in Surgery Mentorship Program, The University of Texas Houston McGovern Medical School, Houston, TX, 2015 - 2025
Intramural Institutional Committee Activities
Member, Institutional Patient Safety Committee, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2026 - Present
Member, Lessons Learned Subcommittee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2026 - Present
Member, The DAISY Award Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2026 - Present
Member, Genesys Advisory Group Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2022 - 2023
Member, Peer Messenger, Center for Professionalism Support & Success (CPSS),, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2022 - Present
Member, Faculty Welfare Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2021 - 2024
Member, Division of Surgery Building PPE through Innovation, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2020 - 2021
Member, Department professional liaison for the Know Your Costs project - Head & Neck Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2019 - 2020
Member, Division of Surgery Value Equation for Surgery Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2019 - 2021
Member, Department of Head and Neck Surgery Education Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2018 - Present
Member, Clinical Effectiveness Subcommittee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2016 - 2025
Senator, Faculty Senate, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Houston, TX, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2015 - 2021
Member, Division of Surgery Gender Inclusiveness Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2015 - 2023
Member, Faculty Academic Review Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2014 - Present
Member, Strategic Planning Access Algorithm Team, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2014 - 2017
Member, Medical Practice Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2014 - 2026
Quality/Cost-Effectiveness Section Leader, Stiefel/Oropharynx Steering Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2014 - 2019
Senator, Faculty Senate, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2010 - 2013
Extramural Institutional Committee Activities
Member, Resident Selection Interview Panel, Harvard Medical School, 2006 - 2008
Member, Medical Record Committee, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, 2005 - 2008
Honors & Awards
| 2026 | 56 hospital and health system CXOs to know | 2026, Becker's Hospital Review |
| 2025 | Ranked in top 1% nationally by Clinician and Group Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems survey, CGCAHPS |
| 2024 | Ranked in top 1% nationally by Clinician and Group Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems survey, CGCAHPS |
| 2023 | Ranked in top 1% nationally by Clinician and Group Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems survey, CGCAHPS |
| 2023 | Perfect Score nationally by Clinician and Group Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems survey, CGCAHPS |
| 2022 | Commitment to Mentoring Award, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center |
| 2022 | Ranked in top 1% nationally by Clinician and Group Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems survey, FY2022, CGCAHPS |
| 2022 | AAO-HNS 2022 Honor Award, American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery Foundation |
| 2020 | Ranked in top 10% nationally by Clinician and Group Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems survey, FY2020, CGCAHPS |
| 2020 | AAO-HNSF Committee Excellence Award, Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Committee, American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery Foundation |
| 2018 | AAO-HNSF Committee Excellence Award, Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Committee, American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery |
| 2017 | 13th Annual Robert M. Chamberlain Distinguished Mentor Award - Nominee, Postdoctoral Association, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center |
| 2016 | Fellow, American College of Surgeons |
| 2008 | First Prize Resident Research Award, The Triological Society Eastern Section |
| 2007 | AAO-HNS Humanitarian Resident Travel Grant, American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery |
| 2007 | AAO-HNS Resident Travel Award, American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery |
| 2007 | November Employee of the Month, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary |
| 2003 | American Medical Women's Association Glasgow Memorial Award, American Medical Women's Association |
| 2003 | Harold Lampert Biomedical Research Prize |
| 2003 | James Felt Memorial Prize |
| 2003 | Jeffrey Modell Immunology Prize |
| 2003 | George James Epidemiology Prize |
| 2002 | Distinction in Research, Mount Sinai School of Medicine |
| 2002 | Elected to Lambda Chapter of Alpha Omega Alpha |
| 2002 | Outstanding Research Award, Associated Medical Schools of New York |
| 2001 - 2003 | Continuing Education Scholarship, Howard Hughes Medical Institute |
| 1999 - 2001 | Research Scholar Fellowship, Howard Hughes Medical Institute |
| 1998 - 1999 | Albert Schweitzer Fellowship |
| 1997 | High Honors in Biology |
| 1996 - 1997 | James B. Angell Scholar |
| 1996 | National Science Foundation Summer Grant for Developmental Neurobiology |
| 1996 | Junior Inductee to Phi Beta Kappa |
| 1995 | Sophomore Honors |
| 1994 - 1997 | Class Honors |
Professional Memberships
Selected Presentations & Talks
National Presentations
- 2023. Improving Patient Experience. Invited. Virtual Grand Rounds, Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, US.
- 2023. Controversies in Parotid Surgery: Is There Evidence? (Part 2). Invited. American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery Annual Meeting. Nashville, Tennessee, US.
- 2023. Enhanced Recovery After Surgery: Optimizing Perioperative Patient Care. Invited. American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery Annual Meeting. Nashville, Tennessee, US.
International Presentations
- 2023. Management of Benign Salivary Neoplasia. Invited. American Head and Neck Surgery 2023 11th International Conference on Head and Neck Cancer. Montreal, CA.
- 2023. How to Improve the Patient Experience. Invited. American Head and Neck Society 2023 11th International Conference on Head and Neck Cancer. Montreal, CA.
Formal Peers
- 2024. Improving Patient Experience. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2022. Patient Experience. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2022. Patient Experience. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2021. ERAS/Quality. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2019. Quality Improvement Primer. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2018. Surgical and Recovery-Based Outcomes in Head & Neck Surgery. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2017. Quality Improvement Primer. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2016. Quality Improvement Primer. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2014. Quality Improvement Primer. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2014. Multidisciplinary Planning Conference Video. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2013. Development of a Head and Neck Surgery Quality Program. Houston, Texas, US.
Selected Publications
Peer-Reviewed Articles
- Townes TG, Martinez J, Gross ND, Li G, Goepfert R, Myers J, Sikora AG, Choi K, Hutcheson KA, Song W, Lee A, Moran A, Lewis CM, Akhave N, Johnson F, De Sousa LG, Maniakas A, Wang JR, Su SY, Lai SY, Hanna E, Zhao X, Lango MN. A Standardized Algorithm's Impact on Primary Detection in Head and Neck Carcinoma of Unknown Primary. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg, 2026. e-Pub 2026. PMID: 42059064.
- Duhon BH, Sun X, Hernandez M, Lewis CM, Nader ME, Gidley PW. Outcomes and Risk Factors in Oncologic Temporal Bone Surgery: A Head and Neck-Specific NSQIP Analysis. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg, 2026. e-Pub 2026. PMID: 41553004.
- Sahin O, Kamel S, Wahid KA, Dede C, Taku N, He R, Naser MA, Sharafi CS, Makitie A, Kann BH, Kaski K, Sahlsten J, Jaskari J, Amit M, Chronowski GM, Diaz EM Jr, Garden AS, Goepfert RP, Guenette JP, Gunn GB, Hirvonen J, Hoebers F, Hutcheson KA, Guha-Thakurta N, Johnson J, Kaya D, Khanpara SD, Nyman K, Lai SY, Lango M, Learned KO, Lee A, Lewis CM, Maniakas A, Moreno AC, Myers JN, Phan J, Pytynia KB, Rosenthal DI, Sandulache VC, Schellingerhout D, Shah SJ, Sikora AG, Mohamed ASR, Chen MM, Fuller CD. International multispecialty expert physician preoperative identification of extranodal extension in patients with oropharyngeal cancer using computed tomography: Prospective blinded human inter-observer performance evaluation. Cancer 131(7):e35815, 2025. e-Pub 2025. PMID: 40159431.
- Moreno AC, Watson EE, Humbert-Vidan L, Peterson DE, van Dijk LV, Urbano TG, Bosch LVD, Hope AJ, Katz MS, Hoebers FJP, Wesson RAA, Bates JE, Bossi P, Dayo AF, Dore M, Fregnani ER, Galloway TJ, Gelblum DY, Hanna IA, Henson CE, Kiat-Amnuay S, Korfage A, Lee NY, Lewis CM, Lynggaard CD, Makitie AA, Magalhaes M, Mowery YM, Munoz-Montplet C, Myers JN, Orlandi E, Patel J, Rigert JM, Saunders D, Schoenfeld JD, Selek U, Somay E, Takiar V, Thariat J, Verduijn GM, Villa A, West NS, Witjes MJH, Won AM, Wong ME, Yao CMKL, Young SW, Al-Eryani K, Barbon CEA, Buurman DJM, Dieleman FJ, Hofstede TM, Khan AA, Otun AO, Robinson JC, Hum L, Johansen J, Lalla R, Lin A, Patel V, Shaw RJ, Chambers MS, Ma D, Singh M, Yarom N, Mohamed ASR, Hutcheson KA, Lai SY, Fuller CD. International Expert-Based Consensus Definition, Classification Criteria, and Minimum Data Elements for Osteoradionecrosis of the Jaw: An Interdisciplinary Modified Delphi Study. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys, 2025. e-Pub 2025. PMID: 39826846.
- Milbury K, Rosenthal DI, Li Y, Ngo-Huang AT, Mallaiah S, Yousuf S, Fuller CD, Lewis C, Bruera E, Cohen L. Dyadic Yoga for Head and Neck Cancer Patients Undergoing Chemoradiation and their Family Caregivers. J Pain Symptom Manage 67(6):490-500, 2024. e-Pub 2024. PMID: 38447621.
- Moreno AC, Watson EE, Humbert-Vidan L, Peterson DE, van Dijk LV, Urbano TG, den Bosch LV, Hope AJ, Katz MS, Hoebers FJ, Aponte Wesson RA, Bates JE, Bossi P, Dayo AF, Doré M, Fregnani ER, Galloway TJ, Gelblum DY, Hanna IA, Henson CE, Kiat-Amnuay S, Korfage A, Lee NY, Lewis CM, Lynggaard CD, Mäkitie AA, Magalhaes M, Mowery YM, Muñoz-Montplet C, Myers JN, Orlandi E, Patel J, Rigert JM, Saunders D, Schoenfeld JD, Selek U, Somay E, Takiar V, Thariat J, Verduijn GM, Villa A, West N, Witjes MJ, Won A, Wong ME, Yao CM, Young SW, Al-Eryani K, Barbon CE, Buurman DJ, Dieleman FJ, Hofstede TM, Khan AA, Otun AO, Robinson JC, Hum L, Johansen J, Lalla R, Lin A, Patel V, Shaw RJ, Chambers MS, Ma D, Singh M, Yarom N, Radwan Mohamed AS, Hutcheson KA, Lai SY, Fuller CD. International ORAL Consortium. International Expert-Based Consensus Definition, Staging Criteria, and Minimum Data Elements for Osteoradionecrosis of the Jaw: An Inter-Disciplinary Modified Delphi Study. medRxiv, 2024. e-Pub 2024. PMID: 38645105.
- ENE Group MO. International Multi-Specialty Expert Physician Identification of Extranodal Extension in Computed Tomography Scans of Oropharyngeal Cancer Patients: Prospective Blinded Human Inter-Observer Performance Evaluation. medRxiv, 2023. e-Pub 2023. PMID: 36865096.
Review Articles
- Hanba C, Lewis C. Enhanced Recovery After Surgery for Head and Neck Oncologic Surgery Requiring Microvascular Reconstruction. Otolaryngol Clin North Am 56(4):801-812, 2023. e-Pub 2023. PMID: 37380326.
Editorials
- Bier-Laning C, Rajasekaran K, Panwar A, Lewis CM. Enhanced Recovery After Surgery: Optimizing Perioperative Patient Care, 2024.
- Hurtuk AM, Kakarala K, Smith MM, Lewis CM. Patient Experience: Why It Matters and How to Improve It. AAO-HNSF Bulletin 42(1), 2023.
Book Chapters
- Lewis CM, Kupferman ME. Surgery of the Major Salivary Glands. In: Fischer's Mastery of Surgery. 7. Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2018.
- Lewis CM, Chinn SB, Holsinger FC, Weber RS. Cancers of the Larynx: Tis, T1. T2 Evaluation and Management. In: Head and Neck Cancer: Multimodality Management. 2. Springer International Publishing, 539-553, 2016.
- Lewis CM, Lai SY, Hessel AC, Weber RS. Head and Neck Cancer Care: Quality and Guidelines. In: Cancer of the Head and Neck. 5. Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2016.
- Lewis CM, Hutcheson KA, Kupferman ME. Comparative Effectiveness in Head and Neck Malignancies. In: Comparative Effectiveness in Surgical Oncology: Key Questions and How to Answer Them. 1. Springer, 2015.
- Hutcheson KA, Lewis CM. Head and Neck Survivorship Management. In: Advances in Cancer Survivorship Management. 1. Springer, 2015.
- Lewis CM, Weber RS. Base of Tongue Resection. In: Atlas of Otorhinolaryngological Surgery. 1. Jaypee Brothers, 2013.
- Lewis CM, Weber RS. Lateral Neck Dissection: Technique. In: Surgery of the Thyroid and Parathyroid Glands. 2. Elsevier, Inc, 2013.
- Lewis CM, Weber RS. Consensus guidelines. In: Personalized Management of Head and Neck Cancer. Future Medicine Ltd, 132-141, 2013.
- Lewis CM, Kupferman ME. Surgery of the Submandibular and Sublingual Salivary Glands. In: Fischer's Mastery of Surgery. 6. Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2012.
- Lewis CM, Laccourreye O, Weber RS, Holsinger FC. Cancers of the Larynx: Tis, T1, T2. Evaluation and Management. In: Head and Neck Cancer: Multimodality Management. 1. Springerlink, 2011.
Web Publications
- Lewis CM. 9 Things to Know about Lip Cancer, 2024.
Patient Reviews
CV information above last modified August 19, 2026