Alvin C. Kwok,
MD, MPH
Languages Spoken: English, Mandarin Chinese
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, TUG, SGAP). He also has research interests in clinical outcomes and patient safety. He sees patients at the Huntsman Cancer Hospital, the Farmington Health Center, and the Sugarhouse 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.
Clinical Locations
801-581-7719
801-581-7719
801-581-2000
801-581-7719
Board Certification and Academic Information
| Academic Departments | Surgery
-
Assistant Professor |
| Academic Divisions | Plastic Surgery |
| Board Certification | American Board of Plastic Surgery |
Patient Rating
The Patient Rating score is an average of all responses to care provider related questions on our nationally-recognized Press Ganey Patient Satisfaction Survey.
Responses are measured on a scale of 1 to 5 with 5 being the best score.
Likelihood of recommending care provider
4.8/ 5
Care provider's explanation of condition/problem
4.9/ 5
Care provider's effort to include me in decisions
4.8/ 5
Wait time at clinic
4.4/ 5
Care provider's concern for questions & worries
4.9/ 5
Patient Comments
Patient comments are gathered from our Press Ganey Patient Satisfaction Survery and displayed in their entirety. Patients are de-identified for confidentiality and patient privacy.
UofU Patient
October 02, 2022
FARMINGTON HEALTH CENTER
I did not like the resident/ student that spoke to me before the doctor came in. She was awkward, unrelatable, asked questions in a strange way, seemed unprepared, asked questions I had already answered in my registration and with the nurse. I do not wish for her to be part of amy future visits. Dr Kwok was very professional and personable.
UofU Patient
September 22, 2022
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
The Doctor was pleasant and he had 2 assistants with him and said I was doing fine and no surgery needed
UofU Patient
August 29, 2022
FARMINGTON HEALTH CENTER
Always a great experience with Dr Kwok and his staff
UofU Patient
August 21, 2022
FARMINGTON HEALTH CENTER
Dr. Kwok was some what offended by me demanding to speak to him after he was the one who cancelled my surgery. I am having multiple surgeries and scheduling them all is complicated. There is no master coordinator for the brca clinic which is stupid. Dr. Kwok at one point passive aggressively stated that he wanted to give me more details and schedule because "it seems like I'm the type of person who wants a lot of details and organization". Of course when you're having multiple complex surgeries, I think you should have all the information available.
UofU Patient
July 24, 2022
FARMINGTON HEALTH CENTER
Dr Kwok is amazing and thorough
UofU Patient
June 16, 2022
FARMINGTON HEALTH CENTER
Dr. Kwok is kind, compassionate, a good listener, and a highly skilled surgeon!
UofU Patient
June 08, 2022
FARMINGTON HEALTH CENTER
Dr Kwok and his team work together. He Is an amazing provider
UofU Patient
June 06, 2022
FARMINGTON HEALTH CENTER
I wish doctors would realize I know my body better than anyone else.
UofU Patient
May 29, 2022
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
Dr Kwok is so kind and thoughtful! He patiently listened to all my concerns and I truly felt heard by him
UofU Patient
April 25, 2022
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
I could understand only about half or less of what the provider was saying due to his wearing of a face mask. I wear hearing aids, yet this did not help understanding speech with a mask on. Please get rid of them in visits so we can get the whole conversation.
UofU Patient
April 10, 2022
FARMINGTON HEALTH CENTER
Good
UofU Patient
March 24, 2022
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
Dr.Kwok is really prison and seems to care.
UofU Patient
March 01, 2022
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
Dr. Kwok lacks patience, compassion and empathy. He usesd a lot of technical terms and gave terse explanations to the procedures. He rarely responded when I repeatedly asked for clarifications. He told me to just trust him when I showed initial shock to the proposed treatment. In order for a patient to trust a physician, the physician needs to show he cares about the patient. Dr. Kwok does not seem to care about me as a patient. It is all about the technicalities and nothing about my feelings about my body as a woman.
UofU Patient
February 22, 2022
FARMINGTON HEALTH CENTER
I am very impressed with Dr Kwok and his ability to help me feel at ease and comfortable. He is an excellent physician and I would highly recommend him and will.
UofU Patient
February 04, 2022
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
He was very thorough and answered all of my concerns.
UofU Patient
January 27, 2022
FARMINGTON HEALTH CENTER
Dr. Kwok is excellent in every way
UofU Patient
November 29, 2021
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
Excellent care
UofU Patient
November 28, 2021
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
Well done!
UofU Patient
November 09, 2021
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
Dr Kwok always takes the time to listen to my concerns and thoroughly answer questions. He explains things well and is a calming, confident influence.
UofU Patient
October 31, 2021
FARMINGTON HEALTH CENTER
Dr Kwok is the best!
UofU Patient
October 17, 2021
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
Dr. Kwok spent a good deal of time with us, was willing to answer all of our questions, and took the time to explain various options available to us, including pros and cons.
UofU Patient
October 08, 2021
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
Dr Kwok is outstanding-professional, skilled, knowledgeable, thorough, listens to his patients, honest, full of integrity-we need more surgeons like Doctor Kwok!
UofU Patient
October 05, 2021
FARMINGTON HEALTH CENTER
They asked me questions and asked if I had any concerns .. I know customer service having been a flight attendant for 36 years. I learned a lesson from all of them.so wonderful. Each and every one was caring and professional .
UofU Patient
October 03, 2021
FARMINGTON HEALTH CENTER
The provider spent a lot of time clearly explaining everything both verbally and visually. I appreciated the extra time taken with me. Not how my previous experience in an Idaho Heath care system was prior to traveling to Utah for this visit.
UofU Patient
October 01, 2021
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
Dr. Chittoria is an exceptional doctor and EVERYONE on her staff is as well. I get all the information explained to me and there is genuine compassion.
UofU Patient
September 02, 2021
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
Dr. Kwok is the best provider I've ever worked with.
UofU Patient
August 24, 2021
FARMINGTON HEALTH CENTER
Dr. Kwok is a wonderful doctor. He is very talented and compassionate. He never makes you feel rushed and always addresses all our questions and concerns.
UofU Patient
August 19, 2021
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
I left a little concerned regarding some scarring. When I asked about it he stated "we're more concerned about the cancer than what it looks like after." Now maybe I misheard him but that's what I heard. I thought aren't you supposed to be a plastic surgeon? Aren't plastic surgeons more concerned about how things look when you're done? Other than that he was very kind and he explain things very clearly, and answered all my questions.
UofU Patient
July 22, 2021
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
Dr Kwok has a wonderful bedside manner. Really makes you feel at ease. He is very clear about what to expect from surgery
UofU Patient
July 18, 2021
FARMINGTON HEALTH CENTER
My doctor didn't reassure me of my concerns. I wish he would've said, "I've seen this before. Give it more time. Or something." He kinda made me feel bad about my concerns and brushed them off. I paid for them out of my own pocket. It's the least he could do Is reassure me what's going on Is normal. I was told to come back in two weeks and we would see if my concerns are still there and reevaluate. I wonder if that's why he didn't go over care of my incisions when it comes to massaging them or my restrictions like lifting or anything. My sister and mom have had their breasts done so they are helping me out. Especially since I can't get in to see him
UofU Patient
July 16, 2021
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
Dr Kwok and his staff are amazing.
UofU Patient
July 16, 2021
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
Asked me several questions and answered all my concerns.
UofU Patient
May 28, 2021
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
Dr. Kwok excellent as always. Attentive, knowledgeable, shows concern and always asks if I have any questions for him.
UofU Patient
May 26, 2021
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
Dr. Kwoak is incredible! He is one of the best surgeons I have ever seen. He makes me safe and secure. He is kind and considerate. I couldn't ask for a better surgeon.
UofU Patient
May 10, 2021
FARMINGTON HEALTH CENTER
Dr Kwok is very helpful & caring. explains things very well
UofU Patient
April 23, 2021
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
The care provider was patient and answered any questions. He asked several times if we had had additional questions.
UofU Patient
April 22, 2021
FARMINGTON HEALTH CENTER
I feel that Dr. Kwok is an exceptional plastic surgeon. I am very happy with my reconstruction results. In addition, he is a kind and caring provider. I am grateful to have had his care in this process.
UofU Patient
April 08, 2021
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
just a general look/see nothing more
UofU Patient
March 20, 2021
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
I have recommended Dr. Kwok to many women.
UofU Patient
March 12, 2021
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
The people I am referring to are Dr. Kwok and his intern in the above evaluation.
UofU Patient
March 02, 2021
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
The entire team gave excellent care. Dr. Kwok is an excellent surgeon and very nice to work with.
UofU Patient
February 09, 2021
SUGAR HOUSE HEALTH CENTER
Dr Kwok has a wonderful bedside manner
UofU Patient
February 07, 2021
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
Dr Kwok is amazing
UofU Patient
January 28, 2021
SUGAR HOUSE HEALTH CENTER
Dr kwok is very professional he took time to answer my questions thoroughly and go through detailed information. he was personable and helpful and very attentive to my questions. I feel lucky to have the opportunity to work with Dr kwok and his staff.
UofU Patient
December 31, 2020
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
Dr. Kwok is great, he is very timely and a good listener
UofU Patient
December 20, 2020
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
I had my implants replaced in both breasts. Dr. Kwok is a great Doctor and very thoughtful. I would have liked a little bigger implants but I am still very satisfied.
UofU Patient
December 11, 2020
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
no treatment discussed.
UofU Patient
December 11, 2020
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
Dr. Kwok was very understanding and said I can contact them whenever I am ready to move forward, and to take all the time I need.
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, TUG, SGAP). He also has research interests in clinical outcomes and patient safety. He sees patients at the Huntsman Cancer Hospital, the Farmington Health Center, and the Sugarhouse 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.
Academic Locations
Board Certification and Academic Information
| Academic Departments | Surgery
-
Assistant Professor |
| Academic Divisions | Plastic Surgery |
| Board Certification | American Board of Plastic Surgery |
Research Interests
- Clinical Outcomes
- Health Services Research
- Quality Improvement
- Databases
Education History
| Fellowship | University of Utah Breast Reconstruction/Microsurgery Fellow, 2017 |
| Chief Resident | University of Utah School of Medicine Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Chief Resident, 2016 |
| Residency | University of Utah School of Medicine Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Resident, 2015 |
| Chief Resident | Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School General Surgery Chief Resident, 2013 |
| Fellowship | Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School General Surgery Clinical Fellow, 2013 |
| Residency | Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School General Surgery Resident, 2012 |
| Research Fellow | Harvard School of Public Health Health Policy and Management Research Fellow, 2011 |
| Graduate Training | Harvard School of Public Health Clinical Effectiveness M.P.H., 2010 |
| Internship | Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School General Surgery Intern, 2007 |
| Professional Medical | University of Utah School of Medicine Medicine M.D., 2006 |
| Undergraduate | Yale University Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry B.S., 2002 |
Selected Publications - Journal Articles
Journal Article
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Kwok A, Malek S (2008). Infections in renal transplant recipients: Management challenging, and prevention key. 1(11), 2-3.
- 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.
- 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.