Karen Y. Choi, MD, FACS
Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Division of Surgery
About Dr. Karen Y. Choi
Karen Y. Choi, MD is an Associate Professor in the Department of Head and Neck Surgery at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, TX. She completed her residency in Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery at Albert Einstein College of Medicine/Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx, NY, and subsequently pursued an advanced fellowship in head and neck surgical oncology at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. Dr. Choi is a fellow of the American Academy of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS), the American Head and Neck Society (AHNS), and the American College of Surgeons (ACS). She plays a vital role in these organizations, serving as vice-chair of the AHNS Cutaneous Cancer Section and the AHNS Women in Head and Neck Surgery service, as well as being an active member of the AAO-HNS Head and Neck Surgery & Oncology committee. Additionally, since 2023, she has been a member of the American Radium Society – Appropriate Use Committee for Head and Neck. Her clinical expertise centers on high-risk cutaneous malignancies and mucosal malignancies of the upper aerodigestive tract, with a particular emphasis on oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancers. She employs advanced techniques such as transoral robotic surgery and sentinel lymph node biopsy in her practice.
Beyond her clinical work, Dr. Choi holds an MS in Teaching from Pace University reflecting her early career as a public middle school teacher in Brooklyn, NY. She remains deeply committed to medical and surgical education, both at the graduate and undergraduate levels. Her research interests focus on improving surgical and quality-of-life outcomes for head and neck cancer patients and includes efforts to develop clinical programs in rural areas to extend high-quality care to underserved populations.
Present Title & Affiliation
Primary Appointment
Associate Professor, Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Division of Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
Education & Training
Degree-Granting Education
| 2012 | University at Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Buffalo, New York, US, Medicine, Doctor of Medicine |
| 2006 | Pace University, New York, New York, US, Adolescent Education, Master of Science in Teaching |
| 2004 | Wellesley College, Wellesley, MA, US, Neuroscience, Bachelor of Arts |
| 2001 | University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, US, Commonwealth College (Honors Program) |
Postgraduate Training
| 2018-2018 | Fellowship, Head and Neck Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas |
| 2012-2017 | Residency, Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Montefiore Medical Center/Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York |
Licenses & Certifications
| 2024 | Mississippi State Board of Medical Licensure |
| 2024 | Oklahoma State Board of Medical Licensure |
| 2024 | Washington Medical Commission |
| 2024 | Louisiana Medical Board |
| 2024 | Arizona Medical Board |
| 2024 | Tennessee Board of Medical Examiners |
| 2024 | Alabama Board of Medical Examiners |
| 2023 | Georgia Composite Medical Board |
| 2019 | Diplomate - American Board of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery |
| 2018 | Commonwealth of Pennsylvania - State Board of Medicine |
| 2017 | Texas Medical Board |
| 2016 | New York State Medical Board |
Experience & Service
Faculty Academic Appointments
Assistant Professor, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Penn State Health, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania, 2018 - 2023
Administrative Appointments/Responsibilities
Lead - MDACC Cancer Algorithm Reviews, Department of Head and Neck Surgery, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2025 - Present
Associate Program Director for H&N Residency Program, Department of Head and Neck Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2025 - Present
P11 Inpatient Medical Director, Department of Head and Neck Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, 2024 - Present
Editorial Activities
Associate Editor, Head and Neck, 2025 - Present
Editorial Board, Ear Nose & Throat Journal, 2022 - 2023
Editorial Board, Operative techniques in otolaryngology--head and neck surgery, 2022 - 2023
Guest Editor, Operative techniques in otolaryngology--head and neck surgery, 2022
Section Editor, Handbook of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Cutaneous Malignancies, 2022
Honors & Awards
| 2022 | Medical Student Research Recognition Award, Penn State College of Medicine |
| 2021 | Dean's Award for Excellence in Teaching, Penn State College of Medicine |
| 2020 | Hill Family Medical Student Cancer Research Fund Award, Hill Family |
| 2016 | Triological Society Resident Travel Award, Triological Society |
| 2015 | Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery Department Resident Research Award, Montefiore Medical Center/Albert Einstein College of Medicine |
| 2008 - 2009 | Sejong Scholarship Foundation |
| 2006 | Americorps Education Award, Americorps |
| 2002 | Hughes Summer Research Grant, Howard Hughes Medical Institute |
Professional Memberships
Selected Presentations & Talks
Regional Presentations
- 2026. Early TORS Journey: What to expect from pre-op to post-op?. Invited. 2026 Head & Neck Cancer Collaborative Webinar: Out of the Gate: Surgical and SLP collaborations in acute postoperative care to optimize function. Houston, TX, US.
- 2026. Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy in Early Oral Cavity Cancers. Invited. 2026 Ultimate Colorado Mid-Winter Meeting. Aurora, Colorado, US.
- 2025. Surgical Quality Assurance in Clinical Trials. Invited. UCSD - Department of Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery Disease Team Meeting - Virtual, US.
- 2025. Management of Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma: One Size Does Not Fit All. Invited. Henry Ford Health - Department of Otolaryngology Virtual Grand Rounds. Detroit, MI, US.
- 2025. NRG HN014- Randomized Phase III Trial of Neoadjuvant Immunotherapy with Response-Adapted Treatment Versus Standard-Of-Care Treatment for Resectable Stage III/IV Cutaneous SCCA. Invited. NRG Oncology Semi-annual Meeting. Phoenix, AZ, US.
- 2023. Dealing with Survivorship. Invited. Penn State Head and Neck Cancer Support Group. Hershey, PA, US.
- 2023. Montefiore Alumni Panel: Business of Medicine Lectureship. Invited. Montefiore Medical Center-Dept. of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery. Bronx, NY, US.
- 2022. Update on Deintensification Strategies of HPV-associated Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Invited. Pennsylvania Academy of Otolaryngology Annual Meeting. Hershey, PA, US.
- 2022. Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy and Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Invited. Thomas Jefferson University Hospital - Dept. of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Grand Rounds. Philadelphia, PA, US.
- 2021. Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy and Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Invited. Columbia University Irving Medical Center Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Grand Rounds. New York, NY, US.
- 2021. Diagnosis and Management of Oral Cavity Cancer. Invited. York County Dental Society. York, PA, US.
- 2019. Oral Cavity Cancer and the Role of Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy. Invited. University of Maryland Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Grand Rounds. Baltimore, MD, US.
- 2019. The Association of HPV and Head and Neck Cancer and the Role of Early Vaccination in the Pediatric Population. Invited. School Nurse Update Conference. Hershey, PA, US.
- 2017. Me, Myself, and the Asian Eye. Invited. Albert Einstein College of Medicine Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Grand Rounds. Bronx, NY, US.
- 2016. Leadership Training in Otolaryngology. Invited. Albert Einstein College of Medicine Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Grand Rounds. Bronx, NY, US.
- 2015. Utility of FAMM Flaps in a Previously Dissected Neck. Invited. Albert Einstein College of Medicine Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Grand Rounds. Bronx, NY, US.
National Presentations
- 2024. Challenging Cases in the Management of Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Skin - Challenging Cases in Management of Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Invited. American Society for Radiation Oncology. Washington, DC, US.
- 2024. Role of Extracapsular Dissection in Management of Salivary Gland Neoplasms. Invited. American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Annual Meeting. Miami, FL, US.
- 2024. Updates on Evidence-Based Approach to Advanced Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Invited. American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Annual Meeting. Miami, FL, US.
- 2024. Women in Head and Neck Surgery - Building Impactful Programs. Invited. American Head and Neck Society/COSM. Chicago, IL, US.
- 2023. Salivary and Sinonasal Tumors: Multi-Disciplinary Individualization of Patient Care. Invited. American Society for Radiation Oncology. San Diego, CA, US.
- 2023. Carlisle KM, Choi KY. Effectiveness of Social Media Advertising on HPV Vaccination in Adult Men. Poster. Triological Society Annual Meeting at Combined Otolaryngology Spring Meetings. Boston, MA, US.
- 2023. Hot Topics in HPV: Treatment and Deintensification Strategies of HPV-Associated Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Invited. American Medical Women's Association Annual Meeting. Philadelphia, PA, US.
- 2022. Cost-effectiveness of tilmanocept relative to sulfur colloid for sentinel lymph node biopsy in early-stage oral cavity cancer. Invited. 8th World Congress of the International Academy of Oral Oncology. Chicago, IL, US.
- 2022. Symposium: Sentinel Node Dissection vs Elective Neck Dissection. Invited. 8th World Congress of the International Academy of Oral Oncology. Chicago, IL, US.
International Presentations
- 2023. Patient Selection for Oral Cavity Sentinel Node Biopsy: Current Approach and Future Innovations. Invited. American Head and Neck Society, 11th International Conference on Head and Neck Cancer. Montreal, CA.
Grant & Contract Support
| Date: | 2019 - 2026 |
| Title: | Randomized Phase II/III Trial of Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy Versus Elective Neck Dissection for Early-Stage Oral Cavity Cancer |
| Funding Source: | NRG Oncology |
| Role: | PI |
| ID: | 2020-0277 (NRG-HN006) |
Selected Publications
Other Articles
- Hu A, Choi KY Placement and affixation of a salivary bypass tube utilizing flexible endoscopy: a novel use of a through-the-scope helical suturing system. SAGES 2022 Annual Meeting.
Abstracts
- Choi KY, Hunter J, Stupak H. Presentation and Management of Complex Pan-Facial Fractures Status-post Vehicular Trauma. Craniofacial Surgical Institute Conference, Albert Einstein College of Medicine.
- Choi KY, Gupta N, Bent JP. A Case Report and Treatment Recommendations for Bilateral Piriform Sinus Fistulae. American Society of Pediatric Otolaryngology at Combined Otolaryngology Spring Meetings.
- Choi KY, Bell D, Hutcheson KA, Garland E, Holsinger FC, OW TJ. Resection of a Supraglottic Schwannoma via Transoral Laser Microsurgery. Albert Einstein College of Medicine Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery.
- Choi KY, Tassler AB. Salvage Endoscopic Nasopharyngectomy. 28th Annual Max Som Resident Case Presentation Albert Einstein College of Medicine.
- Choi KY, McMullen CP, Smith RV. Salvage Transoral Robotic Surgery: Outcomes and Feasibility. Albert Einstein College of Medicine Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery.
- Choi KY, Gibber MJ. Epistaxis: Risk Stratification and Correlation of INR for Directing Patient-Centered Management. Albert Einstein College of Medicine Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery.
- Choi KY, McMullen CP, Smith RV. Salvage Transoral Robotic Surgery: Outcomes and Feasibility. Triological Society Combined Sections Meeting.
- Choi KY, Gibber MJ. Epistaxis: Risk Stratification and Correlation of INR for Directing Patient-Centered Management. Triological Society Annual Meeting at Combined Otolaryngology Spring Meetings.
- Choi KY, Yang CJ. A Case Report of Cavernous Sinus Thrombosis after Trauma. American Society of Pediatric Otolaryngology at Combined Otolaryngology Spring Meetings.
- Amit M, Tam S, Choi KY, Beadle BM, Weber RS, Hessel AC. Defining the Ideal Cancer Surveillance for Non-surgically Treated Mucosal Malignancy Patients: A Prospective Longitudinal Study of Continuity of Care Multidisciplinary Pathway. American Head and Neck Society Annual Meeting at Combined Otolaryngology Spring Meetings.
- Choi KY, Amit M, Tam S, Bell D, Phan J, Ferrarroto R, Harrison K, Frank S, Raza S, DeMonte F, Kupferman M, Hanna E, Su SY. Clinical Implication of Diagnostic and Histopathologic Discrepancies in Sinonasal Malignancies. North American Skull Base Society Annual Meeting.
- Keane A, Morocco A, Chan K, Goyal N, Choi KY. Postoperative Urinary Complications in Head and Neck Reconstructive Procedures. American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Virtual Meeting.
- Daher GS, Choi KY, Wells JW, Goyal N. A Systematic Review of Oral Nutritional Supplement and Wound Healing. AHNS 10th International Conference on Head and Neck Cancer, Virtual.
- Patel S, Choi KY. Does Treatment Location Matter? Elucidating Survival and Functional Outcomes in Patients with Primary Head and Neck Malignancies Treated in Academic vs. Community Settings. AHNS 10th International Conference on Head and Neck Cancer, Virtual.
- Chan K, Keane A, Choi KY. Development of a Dysphagia Pathway Program for Swallowing Dysfunction in a Rural Patient Population with Head and Neck Cancer. AHNS 10th International Conference on Head and Neck Cancer, Virtual.
- Carlisle KM, Choi KY. Effectiveness of Social Media Advertising on HPV Vaccination in Adult Men. Triological Society Annual Meeting at Combined Otolaryngology Spring Meetings.
- Townes T, Gross N, Goepfert R, Choi KY, Hessel A, Barbon C, Hutcheson K, Sikora A, Lango M. Improved Primary Site Identification with Implementation of a Standardized Algorithm for Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Unknown Primary. American Head and Neck Society Meeting at COSM.
Book Chapters
- Hennessy M, Choi KY, Goyal N. Larynx and Hypopharynx. In: Head and Neck Cancer Care in a Pandemic: Prioritizing Safe Care. PMPH, 2021.
- Choi KY. Intraoperative Parathyroid Hormone Assessment and Applications. In: Head & Neck Endocrine Surgery: A Comprehensive Textbook, Surgical, and Video Atlas. Thieme Medical Publishers, 2021.
Web Publications
- Choi KY. May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month, 2021.
- Choi KY, Choi KY, Emerick K, Sajisevi M. Introduction to Skin Cancer for Patients.
Patient Reviews
CV information above last modified April 02, 2026