Karen Michele Kostroff, MD

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Karen Kostroff, MD, is the chief of breast surgery at Northwell. She is one of New York's most renowned breast cancer surgeons, and one of the nation's leading breast cancer specialists in the diagnosis and treatment of women at risk for hereditary breast cancer. At a very young age, Dr. Kostroff knew she wanted to help others. "When I was 6 years old, my father was in a very serious accident," she says. "Seeing him being cared for by wonderful doctors sparked a passion in me to do the same." After completing a six-year medical honors program at Boston University School of Medicine, Dr. Kostroff completed her residency at New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center, which included a concentration on cancer surgery and breast disorders at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Institute. Her training continued at Brigham and Women's Hospital of Harvard Medical School, where she completed a fellowship in cancer surgery. For Dr. Kostroff, providing the highest level of care goes way beyond having the best surgical skills. As a recipient of numerous patient satisfaction awards, including Northwell's Patient Choice Award, she is most appreciated for the compassionate, accessible and thorough care she delivers every day. "It's important my patients and their family members feel supported throughout their journeys, and have the education and resources they need to make informed decisions about their health," Dr. Kostroff explains. Collaboration is also important to Dr. Kostroff. She works closely with a dedicated team of specialists and participates in a weekly tumor board to develop the most personalized treatment plans. She's additionally passionate about training the next generation of breast surgeons in her role as assistant professor at the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell."Being a breast cancer surgeon is such a rewarding career. Sharing good news and getting people through difficult times-that's what makes it all worthwhile."