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Alvin C. Kwok
( out of 99 reviews )

Alvin C. Kwok, MD, MPH

Languages spoken: English, Mandarin Chinese

Clinical Locations

Farmington Health Center

Farmington
801-213-3200

University of Utah Hospital

Salt Lake City
801-581-7719

  • Dr. Alvin Kwok, MD, MPH is a board-certified fellowship trained Plastic Surgeon at the University of Utah and specializes in breast reconstruction. His clinical interests are in implant as well as tissue based breast reconstruction including microsurgical free tissue transfer (DIEP, SIEA, PAP, DUG, TUG, SGAP). He also has research interests in clinical outcomes and patient safety. He sees patients at the Huntsman Cancer Hospital and the Farmington Health Center.

    Dr. Kwok grew up in the Northeast and earned his undergraduate degree from Yale University, his medical degree from the University of Utah School of Medicine, and his Masters in Public Health from the Harvard School of Public Health. He completed a General Surgery Residency at the Brigham and Women's Hospital/Harvard Medical School in Boston and a Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Residency at the University of Utah. His fellowship training is in Breast Reconstruction and Microsurgery which he completed at the Huntsman Cancer Hospital.

    Dr. Kwok is an Eagle Scout and enjoys hiking and skiing. Most of all he loves spending his free time with his wife and three children.

    Specialties

    Board Certification

    American Board of Plastic Surgery

    Patient Rating

    5.0 /5
    ( out of 99 reviews )

    The patient rating score is an average of all responses on our patient experience survey. The rating averages scores for all questions about care from our providers.

    The scale on which responses are measured is 1 to 5 with 5 being the best score.

    Patient Comments

    Patient comments are gathered from our patient experience survey and displayed in their entirety.
    Patients are de-identified for confidentiality and patient privacy.

    September 21, 2024
    FARMINGTON HEALTH CENTER

    Very professional, kind, and respectful.

    September 18, 2024
    HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER

    I would like to give Dr Kwok even higher marks than this survey allows. I was second- guessing my decision about the kind of surgery I would have and he thoroughly and patiently reviewed all the information again. I made the same choice and his calm and supportive demeanor addressed my fears. He deserves a 12 out of 10 rating for skill, empathy and communication.

    July 24, 2024
    HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER

    I feel very confident and comfortable to move forward with my surgery . We discussed my traveling from Boise and to stop every hour and walk. He was very kind and compassionate I know I am in good hands . He took the time to explain my procedure and answered all my questions I was not rushed at all .

    July 11, 2024
    HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER

    I trust Dr. Kwok completely. He is calm, realistic, listens, and artistic to do reconstruction. He is amazing.

    July 10, 2024
    HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER

    Dr. Kwok is one of best surgeon. When I was diagnosed with breast cancer, I was scared and anxious. Dr. Kwok explained, and gave me options I have. He answered all of my concerns, and questions very clearly until I fully understood. I am happy with result. Highly recommended.

    July 03, 2024
    HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER

    He's very attentive to his patients. I thank you very much for your kindness and professionalism. You are an amazing surgeon. I am delighted with how my breast turned out.

    July 03, 2024
    HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER

    Es muy bueno sus explicaciones

    June 27, 2024
    HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER

    Muy cortez y muy atento sobre mis preocupaciones asi como muy entendible sus explicaciones sobre el tema.

    June 24, 2024
    HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER

    I high recommend Dr Kwok.

    See More Patient Comments

  • Dr. Alvin Kwok, MD, MPH is a board-certified fellowship trained Plastic Surgeon at the University of Utah and specializes in breast reconstruction. His clinical interests are in implant as well as tissue based breast reconstruction including microsurgical free tissue transfer (DIEP, SIEA, PAP, DUG, TUG, SGAP). He also has research interests in clinical outcomes and patient safety. He sees patients at the Huntsman Cancer Hospital and the Farmington Health Center.

    Dr. Kwok grew up in the Northeast and earned his undergraduate degree from Yale University, his medical degree from the University of Utah School of Medicine, and his Masters in Public Health from the Harvard School of Public Health. He completed a General Surgery Residency at the Brigham and Women's Hospital/Harvard Medical School in Boston and a Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Residency at the University of Utah. His fellowship training is in Breast Reconstruction and Microsurgery which he completed at the Huntsman Cancer Hospital.

    Dr. Kwok is an Eagle Scout and enjoys hiking and skiing. Most of all he loves spending his free time with his wife and three children.

    Board Certification and Academic Information

    Academic Departments Surgery -Primary
    Academic Divisions Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery
    Board Certification
    American Board of Plastic Surgery

    Education history

    Fellowship Breast Reconstruction/Microsurgery - University of Utah Fellow
    Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery - University of Utah School of Medicine Chief Resident
    Residency Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery - University of Utah School of Medicine Resident
    General Surgery - Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School Chief Resident
    Fellowship General Surgery - Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School Clinical Fellow
    Clinical Effectiveness - Harvard School of Public Health M.P.H.
    Research Fellow Health Policy and Management - Harvard School of Public Health Research Fellow
    General Surgery - Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School Resident
    Internship General Surgery - Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School Intern
    Medicine - University of Utah School of Medicine M.D.
    Undergraduate Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry - Yale University B.S.

    Selected Publications

    Journal Article

    1. Veith J, Coller W, Simpson A, Magno-Padron D, Mast B, Murphy RX, Agarwal J, Kwok, AC (). A comparison of common plastic surgery operations using the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program and Tracking Operations and Outcomes for Plastic Surgeons databases. (Epub ahead of print) Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open.
    2. Sudduth JD, Moss WD, Clinker C, Marquez JL, Anderson E, Eddington D, Agarwal J, Kwok AC (2023). Scheduled Postoperative Ketorolac Does Not Decrease Opiate Use following Free Flap Breast Reconstruction. J Reconstr Microsurg. ()
    3. Marquez JL, Sudduth JD, Kuo K, Patel AA, Eddington D, Agarwal JP, Kwok AC (2023). A Comparison of Postoperative Outcomes Between Immediate, Delayed Immediate, and Delayed Autologous Free Flap Breast Reconstruction: Analysis of 2010-2020 NSQIP Data. J Reconstr Microsurg. ()
    4. Moss WD, King BW, Memmott S, Pires G, Rosales M, Kwok A, Tenzel P (2022). An Evaluation of Racial Disparities in Online Marketing of Academic Plastic Surgery Practices. Ann Plast Surg, 90(2), 114-117. ()
    5. Luo J, Moss WD, Pires GR, Rhemtulla IA, Rosales M, Stoddard GJ, Agarwal JP, Kwok AC (2022). A Nationwide Analysis Evaluating the Safety of Using Acellular Dermal Matrix with Tissue Expander-Based Breast Reconstruction. Arch Plast Surg, 49(6), 716-723. ()
    6. Moss WD, Pires GR, Samlowski E, Webb J, DeAngelo MM, Eddington D, Brintz BJ, Agarwal J, Kwok AC (2022). Characterizing the volume of surgery and post-operative complications during the COVID-19 pandemic. Langenbecks Arch Surg, 407(8), 3727-3733. ()
    7. Goodwin IA, Luo J, Magno-Pardon DA, Veith J, Willcockson J, Carter G, Matsen C, Kwok AC, Agarwal CA (2022). Current Practices in the Pathologic Assessment of Breast Tissue in Transmasculine Chest Surgery. Plast Reconstr Surg, 150(3), 516e-525e. ()
    8. Pires GR, Moss WD, Memmott S, Wright T, Eddington D, Brintz BJ, Agarwal JP, Kwok AC (2022). Analysis of Readmissions and Reoperations in Pediatric Microvascular Reconstruction. J Reconstr Microsurg, 39(5), 343-349. ()
    9. Luo J, Collier W, Magno-Padron D, Tieman J, Pires G, Moss W, Rosales M, Kim J, Agarwal JP, Kwok AC (2022). Characteristics of Nonelderly Adult Health Care Persistent Super Utilizers in Utah. Popul Health Manag, 25(4), 472-479. ()
    10. Moss W, Zhang R, Carter GC, Kwok AC (2021). A Case for the Use of the 5-Item Modified Frailty Index in Preoperative Risk Assessment for Tissue Expander Placement in Breast Reconstruction. Ann Plast Surg, 89(1), 23-27. ()
    11. Bleicher J, Fender Z, Johnson JE, Cain BT, Phan K, Powers D, Wei G, Presson AP, Kwok A, Pickron TB, Scaife CL, Huang LC (2021). Use of post-discharge opioid consumption patterns as a tool for evaluating opioid prescribing guidelines. Am J Surg, 224(1 Pt A), 58-63. ()
    12. Bertolaccini CM, Prazak AMB, Goodwin IA, Kwok A, Mendenhall SD, Rockwell WB, Agarwal J, Pannucci CJ (2021). Prevention of Venous Thromboembolism in Microvascular Surgery Patients Using Weight-Based Unfractionated Heparin Infusions. J Reconstr Microsurg, 38(5), 395-401. ()
    13. Luo J, Rosales M, Wei G, Stoddard GJ, Kwok AC, Jeyapalina S, Agarwal JP (2022). Hospitalization, mechanical ventilation, and case-fatality outcomes in US veterans with COVID-19 disease between years 2020-2021. Ann Epidemiol, 70, 37-44. ()
    14. Pires G, Moss WD, Luo J, Zhang R, Jones KB, Kwok AC, Agarwal JP (2022). Free Vascularized Fibula Salvage of Failed CPH in Pediatric Sarcoma Patients. Sarcoma, 2022, 6240293. ()
    15. Luo J, Willis RN Jr, Ohlsen SM, Piccinin M, Moores N, Kwok AC, Agarwal JP (2022). Meshed Acellular Dermal Matrix for Two-Staged Prepectoral Breast Reconstruction: An Institutional Experience. Arch Plast Surg, 49(2), 166-173. ()
    16. Magno-Padron DA, Holoyda KA, Moss W, Pires G, Carter GC, Agarwal JP, Kwok AC (2021). Elective surgery resource utilization. Langenbecks Arch Surg, 407(2), 829-833. ()
    17. Holoyda KA, Magno-Padron DA, Carter GC, Agarwal JP, Kwok AC (2021). National Trends in Length of Stay for Microvascular Breast Reconstruction: An Evaluation of 10,465 Cases Using the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Database. Plast Reconstr Surg, 149(2), 306-313. ()
    18. Magno-Pardon DA, Luo J, Carter GC, Agarwal JP, Kwok AC (2021). An Analysis of the Modified Five-Item Frailty Index for Predicting Complications following Free Flap Breast Reconstruction. Plast Reconstr Surg, 149(1), 41-47. ()
    19. Van Boerum MS, Mann SL, Veith JP, Collier W, Hosein RC, Manum JS, Agarwal J, Kwok AC (2021). Patient-reported opioid use for tissue expander-based breast reconstruction. J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg, 74(11), 2899-2905. ()
    20. Luo J, Carter GC, Agarwal JP, Kwok AC (2021). The 5-Factor Modified Frailty Index as a Predictor of 30-day Complications in Pressure Ulcer Repair. J Surg Res, 265, 21-26. ()
    21. Magno-Padron DA, Luo J, Jessop TC, Garlick JW, Manum JS, Carter GC, Agarwal JP, Kwok AC (2021). A population-based study of breast implant illness. Arch Plast Surg, 48(4), 353-360. ()
    22. Pannucci CJ, Fleming KI, Bertolaccini C, Agarwal J, Rockwell WB, Mendenhall SD, Kwok A, Goodwin I, Gociman B, Momeni A (2021). Optimal Dosing of Prophylactic Enoxaparin after Surgical Procedures: Results of the Double-Blind, Randomized, Controlled FIxed or Variable Enoxaparin (FIVE) Trial. Plast Reconstr Surg, 147(4), 947-958. ()
    23. Luo J, Jeyapalina S, Stoddard GJ, Kwok AC, Agarwal JP (2020). Coronavirus disease 2019 in veterans receiving care at veterans health administration facilities. Ann Epidemiol, 55, 10-14. ()
    24. Veith J, Collier W, Simpson A, Magno-Padron D, Mast B, Murphy RX Jr, Agarwal J, Kwok A (2020). A Comparison of Common Plastic Surgery Operations Using the NSQIP and TOPS Databases. Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open, 8(5), e2841. ()
    25. Magno-Padron DA, Collier W, Kim J, Agarwal JP, Kwok AC (2020). A Nationwide Analysis of Early and Late Readmissions following Free Tissue Transfer for Breast Reconstruction. J Reconstr Microsurg, 36(6), 450-457. ()
    26. Simpson AM, Kwok AC, Collier WH, Kim J, Veith J, Agarwal JP (2019). 2011 ACGME Duty Hour Limits had No Association With Breast Reconstruction Complications. J Surg Res, 247, 469-478. ()
    27. Stokes SM, Kim RY, Jacobs A, Esplin J, Kwok AC, Varghese TK Jr, Glasgow RE, Brooke BS, Finlayson SRG, Huang LC (2019). Home Disposal Kits for Leftover Opioid Medications After Surgery: Do They Work? J Surg Res, 245, 396-402. ()
    28. Holoyda KA, Simpson AM, Ye X, Agarwal JP, Kwok AC (2019). Immediate Bilateral Breast Reconstruction Using Abdominally Based Flaps: An Analysis of the Nationwide Inpatient Sample Database. J Reconstr Microsurg, 35(8), 594-601. ()
    29. Donato DP, Simpson AM, Garlick JW, Kwok AC, Crombie C, Agarwal JP (2019). Abdominal Contouring and Male Gender: Analysis of Complications Using the National Quality Improvement Program Database. Ann Plast Surg, 83(4), 481-487. ()
    30. Manum J, Veith J, Wei G, Kwok A, Agarwal J (2019). Variables associated with length of stay in patients undergoing mastectomy and delayed-immediate breast reconstruction with tissue expander. Breast J, 25(5), 927-931. ()
    31. Collier W, Scheefer Van Boerum M, Kim J, Kwok AC (2019). Are 30-Day Outcomes Enough? Late Infectious Readmissions following Prosthetic-Based Breast Reconstruction. Plast Reconstr Surg, 144(3), 360e-368e. ()
    32. Veith JP, Collier W, Kim J, Agarwal J, Kwok A (2018). A national analysis of readmissions for wound healing complications following the repair of lower back, hip, and buttock pressure ulcers using the Nationwide Readmissions Database. Am J Surg, 217(4), 658-663. ()
    33. Simpson AM, Donato DP, Kwok AC, Agarwal JP (2018). Predictors of complications following breast reduction surgery: A National Surgical Quality Improvement Program study of 16,812 cases. J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg, 72(1), 43-51. ()
    34. Kwok AC, Simpson AM, Ye X, Tatro E, Agarwal JP (2018). Immediate Unilateral Breast Reconstruction using Abdominally Based Flaps: Analysis of 3,310 Cases. J Reconstr Microsurg, 35(1), 74-82. ()
    35. Kwok AC, Simpson AM, Willcockson J, Donato DP, Goodwin IA, Agarwal JP (2018). Complications and their associations following the surgical repair of pressure ulcers. Am J Surg, 216(6), 1177-1181. ()
    36. Kwok AC, Agarwal JP (2017). An analysis of free flap failure using the ACS NSQIP database. Does flap site and flap type matter? Microsurgery.
    37. Kwok AC, Edwards K, Donato DP, Tatro E, Xu Y, Presson AP, Agarwal JP (2018). Operative Time and Flap Failure in Unilateral and Bilateral Free Flap Breast Reconstruction. J Reconstr Microsurg, 34(6), 428-435. ()
    38. Donato DP, Kwok AC, Bishop MO, Presson AP, Agarwal JP (2017). Unplanned Readmission in Outpatient Hand Surgery: An Analysis of 23,613 Patients in the NSQIP Data Set. Eplasty, 17, e36. ()
    39. Kwok AC, Agarwal JP (2017). An analysis of free flap failure using the ACS NSQIP database. Does flap site and flap type matter? Microsurgery, 37(6), 531-538. ()
    40. Kwok AC, Agarwal JP (2017). Unplanned reoperations after microvascular free tissue transfer: An analysis of 2,244 patients using the american college of surgeons national surgical quality improvement program database. Microsurgery, 37(3), 184-189. ()
    41. Kwok AC, Tatro E, Jones KB, Agarwal JP (2017). Pedicled Retrograde Fibula Flap for Ankle Reconstruction after Oncologic Resection of the Distal Fibula. Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open, 5(2), e1232. ()
    42. Kwok AC, Pannucci CJ, Agarwal JP (2016). The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Flap Failure Data Are Inaccurate after 2010. Plast Reconstr Surg, 138(3), 570e-1e. ()
    43. Kwok AC, Goodwin IA, Ying J, Agarwal JP (2015). National trends and complication rates after bilateral mastectomy and immediate breast reconstruction from 2005 to 2012. Am J Surg, 210(3), 512-6. ()
    44. Kim RY, Kwakye G, Kwok AC, Baltaga R, Ciobanu G, Merry AF, Funk LM, Lipsitz SR, Gawande AA, Berry WR, Haynes AB (2015). Sustainability and long-term effectiveness of the WHO surgical safety checklist combined with pulse oximetry in a resource-limited setting: two-year update from Moldova. JAMA Surg, 150(5), 473-9. ()
    45. Schwarze ML, Barnato AE, Rathouz PJ, Zhao Q, Neuman HB, Winslow ER, Kennedy GD, Hu YY, Dodgion CM, Kwok AC, Greenberg CC (2015). Development of a list of high-risk operations for patients 65 years and older. JAMA Surg, 150(4), 325-31. ()
    46. Kwok AC, Hu YY, Dodgion CM, Jiang W, Ting GV, Taback N, Lipsitz SR, Weeks JC, Greenberg CC (2015). Invasive procedures in the elderly after stage IV cancer diagnosis. J Surg Res, 193(2), 754-63. ()
    47. Decker MR, Dodgion CM, Kwok AC, Hu YY, Havlena JA, Jiang W, Lipsitz SR, Kent KC, Greenberg CC (2014). Specialization and the current practices of general surgeons. J Am Coll Surg, 218(1), 8-15. ()
    48. Kwok AC, Funk LM, Baltaga R, Lipsitz SR, Merry AF, Dziekan G, Ciobanu G, Berry WR, Gawande AA (2013). Implementation of the World Health Organization surgical safety checklist, including introduction of pulse oximetry, in a resource-limited setting. Ann Surg, 257(4), 633-9. ()
    49. Perry WR, Kwok AC, Kozycki C, Celi LA (2013). Disparities in end-of-life care: a perspective and review of quality. Popul Health Manag, 16(2), 71-3. ()
    50. Hu YY, Kwok AC, Jiang W, Taback N, Loggers ET, Ting GV, Lipsitz SR, Weeks JC, Greenberg CC (2012). High-cost imaging in elderly patients with stage IV cancer. J Natl Cancer Inst, 104(15), 1164-72. ()
    51. Kwok AC, Semel ME, Lipsitz SR, Bader AM, Barnato AE, Gawande AA, Jha AK (2011). The intensity and variation of surgical care at the end of life: a retrospective cohort study. Lancet, 378(9800), 1408-13. ()
    52. Kwok AC, Lipsitz SR, Bader AM, Gawande AA (2011). Are targeted preoperative risk prediction tools more powerful? A test of models for emergency colon surgery in the very elderly. J Am Coll Surg, 213(2), 220-5. ()
    53. Kwok A, Malek S (2008). Infections in renal transplant recipients: Management challenging, and prevention key. 1(11), 2-3.
    54. Rockwell WB, Hurst CA, Morton DA, Kwok A, Foreman KB (2007). The deep inferior epigastric artery: anatomy and applicability as a source of microvascular arterial grafts. Plast Reconstr Surg, 120(1), 209-14. ()
    55. Banerjee D, Kwok A, Lin SY, Slack FJ (2005). Developmental timing in C. elegans is regulated by kin-20 and tim-1, homologs of core circadian clock genes. Dev Cell, 8(2), 287-95. ()

    Review

    1. Pires GR, Moss WD, Hosein RC, Overschmidt BT, Magno-Padron DA, Agarwal JP, McFarland MM, Casucci T, Kwok AC (2022). Comparison of Human, Porcine, and Bovine Acellular Dermal Matrix in Prepectoral Breast Reconstruction: A Scoping Review. [Review]. Ann Plast Surg, 89(6), 694-702. ()

    Book Chapter

    1. Kwok A (2021). Radiation and autologous breast reconstruction: The role of delayed-immediate reconstruction (Chapter 97). In Surgery of the Breast: Principles and Art (Fourth Edition).
    2. Kwok A (2020). Breast cancer: current trends in screening, patient evaluation, and treatment (Chapter 58). In Grabb and Smith’s Plastic Surgery (Eighth Edition).

    Case Report

    1. Anstadt EE, Johns DN, Kwok AC, Siddiqi F, Gociman B (2016). Neonatal Ear Molding: Timing and Technique. Pediatrics, 137(3), e20152831. ()
    2. Hillard VH, Liu JK, Kwok A, Schmidt MH (2007). Perineural spread of malignant mesothelioma resulting in an intradural spinal cord mass: case report. J Neurooncol, 81(2), 185-9. ()

    Letter

    1. Kwok AC (2020). Reply: Are 30-Day Outcomes Enough? Late Infectious Readmissions following Prosthetic-Based Breast Reconstruction. [Letter to the editor]. Plast Reconstr Surg, 146(6), 818e. ()
    2. Simpson AM, Donato DP, Kwok AC, Agarwal JP (2019). Response to letter commenting on predictors of complications following breast reduction surgery: A national surgical quality improvement program study of 16,812 cases. [Letter to the editor]. J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg, 72(8), 1436-1447. ()

    Other

    1. Simpson AM, Donato DP, Kwok AC, Agarwal JP (2019). Corrigendum to "Predictors of complications following breast reduction surgery: A National Surgical Quality Improvement Program study of 16,812 cases" [J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg 72 (2019) 43-51]. J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg (72(8), pp. 1434-1435). Netherlands. ()

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