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
Professor, Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Division of Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Chief Patient Experience Officer, Ad Interim, Department of Ofc of Chief Operating Officer, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Education & Training
Degree-Granting Education
| 2004 | Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA, MPH, Master of Public Health, Community Medicine |
| 2003 | Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA, MD, Medical Doctor |
| 1997 | University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA, BS, Biology |
| 1997 | University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA, BS, Asian Studies |
Postgraduate Training
| 2014-2014 | Value-Based Health Care Delivery: Leadership Workshop, Harvard Business School, Texas Medical Center, Houston, TX |
| 2011-2012 | The Heart of Leadership: Core Skills Program, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Department of Faculty Development, Faculty Leader, Houston, TX |
| 2011-2011 | Advanced Training Program in Healthcare Delivery Improvement, Intermountain Healthcare, Institute for Healthcare Delivery Research, Salt Lake City, UT |
| 2011-2011 | Measurement, Design, and Analysis Methods for Health Outcomes Research, Harvard School of Public Health, Center for Continuing Professional Education, Boston, MA |
| 2011-2013 | Fellowship, Comparative Effectiveness Research on Cancer in Texas Clinician-Scientist Training Program, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX |
| 2010-2010 | Outcomes Research Course, Outcomes Research Course, American College of Surgeons, Chicago, IL |
| 2009-2010 | Clinical Fellowship, Head and Neck Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX |
| 2008-2009 | Research Fellowship, Head and Neck Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX |
| 2004-2008 | Clinical Residency, Otolaryngology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA |
| 2003-2004 | Clinical Internship, General Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA |
Board Certifications
| 2009 | American Board of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery |
Experience & Service
Administrative Appointments/Responsibilities
P11 Inpatient Medical Director, Department of Head and Neck Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2023 - 2024
Patient Experience Officer - Head and Neck Center, Department of Head and Neck Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2018 - 2024
Director - Dept. of Head and Neck Surgery Performance Improvement Program, Department of Head and Neck Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2016 - Present
Other Appointments/Responsibilities
Director, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Department of Head and Neck Surgery Performance Improvement Program, Houston, TX, 2016 - Present
Mentor, The University of Texas Houston McGovern Medical School Women in Surgery Mentorship Program, Houston, TX, 2015 - Present
Head and Neck Surgeon Champion, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Head and Neck - Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery National Surgical Quality Improvement Program, Head and Neck Surgery, Houston, TX, 2012 - 2023
Chair, Department of Head and Neck Surgery - Core Curriculum Conference Series, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2010 - 2020
Institutional Committee Activities
Member, Peer Messenger, Center for Professionalism Support & Success (CPSS), 2022 - Present
Member, Faculty Welfare Committee, 2021 - Present
Member, Division of Surgery Value Equation for Surgery Committee, 2019 - 2021
Member, Department of Head and Neck Surgery Education Committee, 2018 - Present
Lead, Department of Head and Neck Surgery Patient Education Initiative, 2018 - Present
Leader, Patient Experience Improvement Committee, 2017 - 2018
Member, Clinical Effectiveness Subcommittee, 2016 - 2025
Member, Faculty Academic Review Committee, 2014 - Present
Member, Medical Practice Committee, 2014 - Present
Honors & Awards
| 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 | 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 |
| 2022 | Commitment to Mentoring Award, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center |
| 2020 | AAO-HNSF Committee Excellence Award, Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Committee, 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 |
| 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 |
| 2007 | AAO-HNS Resident Travel Award |
| 2007 | November Employee of the Month, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary |
| 2003 | Harold Lampert Biomedical Research Prize |
| 2003 | Jeffrey Modell Immunology Prize |
| 2003 | George James Epidemiology Prize |
| 2003 | James Felt Memorial Prize |
| 2003 | American Medical Women's Association Glasgow Memorial Award, American Medical Women's Association |
| 2002 | Outstanding Research Award, Associated Medical Schools of New York |
| 2002 | Distinction in Research, Mount Sinai School of Medicine |
| 2002 | Elected to Lambda Chapter of Alpha Omega Alpha |
| 2001 | Continuing Education Scholarship, Howard Hughes Medical Institute |
| 1999 | Research Scholar Fellowship, Howard Hughes Medical Institute |
| 1998 | Albert Schweitzer Fellowship |
| 1997 | James B. Angell Scholar |
| 1996 | James B. Angell Scholar |
Professional Memberships
Selected Publications
Peer-Reviewed Articles
- 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.
- 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. e-Pub 2024. PMID: 38447621.
- 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. PMID: 37380326.
- Multidisciplinary OPC ENE Group. 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.
- Kiong KL, Moreno A, Vu CN, Zheng G, Rosenthal DI, Weber RS, Lewis CM. Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) in head and neck oncologic surgery: Impact on return to intended oncologic therapy (RIOT) and survival. Oral Oncol 130:105906, 2022. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 35594776.
- Contrera KJ, Chinn SB, Weber RS, Roberts D, Myers JN, Lai SY, Lewis CM, Hessel AC, Gillenwater AM, Mulcahy CF, Yu P, Hanasono MM, Fuller CD, Chambers MS, Zafereo ME. Outcomes after definitive surgery for mandibular osteoradionecrosis. Head Neck 44(6):1313-1323, 2022. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 35238096.
- Kamal M, Baudo M, Shmushkevich S, Geng Y, Hanna E, Goepfert RP, Lewis CM, Rahouma M. COVID-19 infection and its consequences among surgical oncology patients: A systematic analysis, meta-analysis and meta-regression. J Surg Oncol 125(5):813-823, 2022. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 35014703.
- Asaad M, Yao C, Kambhampati P, Mitchell D, Liu J, Lewis CM, Yu P, Hanasono MM, Chang EI. Impact of Body Mass Index on Surgical Outcomes in Oncologic Microvascular Head and Neck Reconstruction. Ann Surg Oncol. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 35325376.
- Asaad M, Yao C, Kambhampati P, Mitchell D, Liu J, Lewis CM, Yu P, Hanasono MM, Chang EI. ASO Visual Abstract: Impact of Body Mass Index on Surgical Outcomes in Oncologic Microvascular Head and Neck Reconstruction. Ann Surg Oncol. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 35355130.
- Kiong KL, Bell D, Yao CM, Ferrarotto R, Lewis CM. Multifocal regression and pathologic response predicts recurrence after neoadjuvant chemotherapy in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Oral Oncol 122:105520. e-Pub 2021. PMID: 34521029.
- Kiong KL, Yao CMKL, Lin FY, Bell D, Ferrarotto R, Weber RS, Lewis CM. Delay to surgery after neoadjuvant chemotherapy in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma affects oncologic outcomes. Cancer 127(12):1984-1992, 2021. e-Pub 2021. PMID: 33631040.
- Ferrarotto R, Amit M, Nagarajan P, Rubin ML, Yuan Y, Bell D, El-Naggar AK, Johnson JM, Morrison WH, Rosenthal DI, Glisson BS, Johnson FM, Lu C, Mott FE, Esmaeli B, Diaz EM, Gidley PW, Goepfert RP, Lewis CM, Weber RS, Wargo JA, Basu S, Duan F, Yadav SS, Sharma P, Allison JP, Myers JN, Gross ND. Pilot phase II trial of Neoadjuvant Immunotherapy in Locoregionally Advanced, Resectable Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck. Clin Cancer Res. e-Pub 2021. PMID: 34187851.
- Mady LJ, Poonia SK, Baddour K, Snyder V, Kurukulasuriya C, Frost AS, Cannady SB, Chinn SB, Fancy T, Futran N, Hanasono MM, Lewis CM, Miles BA, Patel U, Richmon JD, Wax MK, Yu P, Solari MG, Sridharan S. Consensus of free flap complications: Using a nomenclature paradigm in microvascular head and neck reconstruction. Head Neck. e-Pub 2021. PMID: 34145676.
- Yao CMKL, Fu S, Tam S, Kiong KL, Guo T, Zhao H, Giordano SH, Sturgis EM, Lewis CM. Impact of provider type and number of providers on surveillance testing among survivors of head and neck cancers. Cancer 127(10):1699-1711, 2021. e-Pub 2021. PMID: 33471396.
- Kim C, Chisholm G, Bevolo A, Shelton B, Kian L, Lewis CM, Garcia EA, Weber RS, Frumovitz M. Comparison of Internal Patient Satisfaction Scores at a Cancer Center With Star Ratings on Online Physician-Rating Websites. JCO Oncol Pract:OP2000564. e-Pub 2021. PMID: 33760627.
- Boukovalas S, Goepfert RP, Smith JM, Mecham E, Liu J, Zafereo ME, Chang EI, Hessel AC, Hanasono MM, Gross ND, Yu P, Lewin JS, Lewis C, Diaz EM, Weber RS, Myers JN, Offodile AC. Association between Postoperative Complications and Long-Term Oncologic Outcomes following Total Laryngectomy: 10-year Experience at MD Anderson Cancer Center. Cancer. e-Pub 2020. PMID: 32931057.
- Kiong KL, Vu C, Yao C MKL, Kruse B, Zheng G, Yu P, Weber RS, Lewis CM. Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) in Head and Neck Oncologic Surgery: A Case-Matched Analysis of Perioperative and Pain Outcomes. Ann Surg Oncol. e-Pub 2020. PMID: 32964371.
- de Almeida JR, Noel CW, Forner D, Zhang H, Nichols AC, Cohen MA, Wong RJ, McMullen C, Graboyes EM, Divi V, Shuman AG, Rosko AJ, Lewis CM, Hanna EY, Myers J, Paleri V, Miles B, Genden E, Eskander A, Enepekides DJ, Higgins KM, Brown D, Chepeha DB, Witterick IJ, Gullane PJ, Irish JC, Monteiro E, Goldstein DP, Gilbert R. Development and Validation of a Surgical Prioritization and Ranking Tool and Navigation Aid for Head and Neck Cancer (SPARTAN-HN) in a Scarce Resource Setting: Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic. Cancer. e-Pub 2020. PMID: 32780426.
- Low GMI, Kiong KL, Amaku R, Kruse B, Zheng G, Weber RS, Lewis CM. Feasibility of an Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) pathway for major head and neck oncologic surgery. Am J Otolaryngol 41(6):102679. e-Pub 2020. PMID: 32836043.
- Tam S, Dong W, Adelman DM, Weber RS, Lewis CM. Risk-Adjustment Models in Patients Undergoing Head and Neck Surgery with Reconstruction. Oral Oncol 111:104917. e-Pub 2020. PMID: 32721817.
- Kiong KL, Lin FY, Yao CMKL, Guo T, Ferrarotto R, Weber RS, Lewis CM. Impact of neoadjuvant chemotherapy on perioperative morbidity after major surgery for head and neck cancer. Cancer. e-Pub 2020. PMID: 32706401.
- MD Anderson Head and Neck Surgery Treatment Guidelines Consortium, Consortium members, Maniakas A, Jozaghi Y, Zafereo ME, Sturgis EM, Su SY, Gillenwater AM, Gidley PW, Lewis CM, Diaz E, Goepfert RP, Kupferman ME, Gross ND, Hessel AC, Pytynia KB, Nader ME, Wang JR, Lango MN, Kiong KL, Guo T, Zhao X, Yao CMKL, Appelbaum E, Alpard J, Garcia JA, Terry S, Flynn JE, Bauer S, Fournier D, Burgess CG, Wideman C, Johnston M, You C, De Luna R, Joseph L, Diersing J, Prescott K, Heiberger K, Mugartegui L, Rodriguez J, Zendehdel S, Sellers J, Friddell RA, Thomas A, Khanjae SJ, Schwarzlose KB, Chambers MS, Hofstede TM, Cardoso RC, Wesson RA, Won A, Otun AO, Gombos DS, Al-Zubidi N, Hutcheson KA, Gunn GB, Rosenthal DI, Gillison ML, Ferrarotto R, Weber RS, Hanna EY, Myers JN, Lai SY. Head and neck surgical oncology in the time of a pandemic: Subsite-specific triage guidelines during the COVID-19 pandemic. Head Neck 42(6):1194-1201, 2020. e-Pub 2020. PMID: 32342541.
- Walgama E, Randolph GW, Lewis C, Tolley N, Sacks W, Chen Y, Ho AS. Cost-Effectiveness of Fiberoptic Laryngoscopy prior to Total Thyroidectomy for Low Risk Thyroid Cancer Patients. Head Neck. e-Pub 2020. PMID: 32510729.
- Vu CN, Lewis C, Bailard NS, Kapoor R, Rubin ML, Zheng G. Association Between Multimodal Analgesia Administration and Perioperative Opioid Requirements in Patients Undergoing Head and Neck Surgery With Free Flap Reconstruction. JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. e-Pub 2020. PMID: 32556065.
Invited Articles
- Lewis CM, Weber RS. Performance Improvement in Head and Neck Cancer. Curr Oncol Rep 20(1):1, 2018. e-Pub 2018. PMID: 29349566.
- Lewis CM, Weber RS. Standardizing Treatment: A Crisis in Cancer Care. Otolaryngol Clin North Am 46(4):671-9, 2013. e-Pub 2013. PMID: 23910477.
- Lewis CM, Weber RS, Hanna EY. Quality of Care in Head and Neck Cancer. Curr Oncol Rep 13(2):120-5, 2011. PMID: 21207205.
- Holsinger FC, Sweeney AD, Jantharapattana K, Salem A, Weber RS, Chung WY, Lewis CM, Grant DG. The Emergence of Endoscopic Head and Neck Surgery. Curr Oncol Rep 12(3):216-22, 2010. PMID: 20425082.
- Lewis CM, Broussard C, Czar MJ, Schwartzberg PL.. Tec Kinases: Modulators of Lymphocyte Signaling and Development. Curr Opin Immunol 13(3):317-25, 2001. PMID: 11406363.
Editorials
- Lewis CM. Clinical Outcomes in pT4 Tongue Carcinoma are Worse Than in pT3 Disease: How Extrinsic Muscle Invasion Should Be Considered?. Ann Surg Oncol 24(9):2436-2437, 2017. PMID: 28643012.
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: Philadelphia, PA, 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: Philadelphia, PA, 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: New York, NY, 2015.
- Hutcheson KA, Lewis CM. Head and Neck Survivorship Management. In: Advances in Cancer Survivorship Management. 1. Springer: New York, 2015.
- Lewis CM, Weber RS. Lateral Neck Dissection: Technique. In: Surgery of the Thyroid and Parathyroid Glands. 2. Elsevier, Inc: Philadelphia, PA, 2013.
- Lewis CM, Weber RS. Base of Tongue Resection. In: Atlas of Otorhinolaryngological Surgery. 1. Jaypee Brothers: India, 2013.
- Lewis CM, Weber RS. Consensus guidelines. In: Personalized Management of Head and Neck Cancer. Future Medicine Ltd: England, 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: Willowick, OH, 2011.
Patient Reviews
CV information above last modified March 17, 2025