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
4.8/ 5
Care provider's effort to include me in decisions
4.8/ 5
Wait time at clinic
4.1/ 5
Care provider's concern for questions & worries
4.8/ 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
April 27, 2020
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
Dr. Kwok was not only very thorough, but he was very honest and kind. I was very happy with him
UofU Patient
April 10, 2020
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
Sometimes Dr. Kwok talks so soft I have trouble hearing him.
UofU Patient
March 29, 2020
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
Dr Kwok's professionalism, knowledge, expertise and rapport is outstanding. He is especially attentive to my questions and does an excellent job explaining what I want and need to know. He is an outstanding surgeon.
UofU Patient
March 26, 2020
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
excellent service model
UofU Patient
March 11, 2020
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
Dr. Kowok and Dr. Porretta spent a great deal of time with me which I desperately needed in order to get straight what and how a mastectomy and reconstruct was going to play out.
UofU Patient
February 24, 2020
SUGAR HOUSE HEALTH CENTER
Dr Kwok is amazing. I have never had a doctor take time to explain all my options, risks, benefits, and outcomes, and answer all my questions so thoroughly. He was so respectful, professional, knowledgeable, and caring. What an exemplary physician and surgeon.
UofU Patient
February 09, 2020
FARMINGTON HEALTH CENTER
Dr. Kwok was always thorough and compassionate. He listened to our concerns and took time to explain everything in the process we were going through.
UofU Patient
January 03, 2020
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
I have not committed to any set program for treatment yet, I am just gathering information. But Dr. Kwok seemed under the impression that there was really only one program of treatment that would be right for me and so he proceeded to explain it to me, it's timeline and risks. He did not ask how I felt about his proposal and I ran out of time to really explore my concerns with him. I left my visit under the impression that Dr. Kwok would not consider me as a reconstructive patient unless I agreed to the treatment proposal that he envisioned for me. This was disturbing to me, making me feel trapped and not able to ask further questions.
UofU Patient
December 01, 2019
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
Dr. Kwok was very knowledgeable and very patient in explaining options
UofU Patient
November 22, 2019
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
Dr. Kwok is excellent. He speaks clearly, shows concern and generates confidence.
UofU Patient
November 18, 2019
FARMINGTON HEALTH CENTER
always very good
UofU Patient
November 18, 2019
FARMINGTON HEALTH CENTER
Dr. Kwok is incredible. He was very upfront about risks and asking questions for what I was looking for. He also was very empathetic to my situation and was very genuine about wanted to help me the best he could.
UofU Patient
November 13, 2019
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
excellent care and concern
UofU Patient
October 11, 2019
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
Dr. Kwok is wonderful. I experienced post-surgical complications and Dr. Kwok was quick to fit me in and see me multiple times a week and never felt rushed when in the room with me. His bedside manner is personable, calm, and reassuring. I would recommend him to everyone.
UofU Patient
August 29, 2019
FARMINGTON HEALTH CENTER
Dr. Kwok is absolutely wonderful. He is calm, reassuring and truly seems to care about his patients and their outcomes. His surgical technique is amazing and I have been left with very little scaring.
UofU Patient
August 05, 2019
FARMINGTON HEALTH CENTER
Dr. Kwok exceeded expectations! He is exceptional.
UofU Patient
August 05, 2019
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
I've already recommended him
UofU Patient
August 02, 2019
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
I was impressed with Dr Awok's care and concern
UofU Patient
July 15, 2019
FARMINGTON HEALTH CENTER
Doctor Kwok and his team are AWESOME
UofU Patient
July 12, 2019
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
Dr Kwok and his entire team (especially Heidi Winegar and Johanna, his PA) are absolutely the best of the best. I can not say enough about their care, their professionalism, their humanity and their dedication to partnering with me on my cancer journey.
UofU Patient
July 07, 2019
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
good
UofU Patient
July 02, 2019
FARMINGTON HEALTH CENTER
Dr. Kwok was very apologetic about the delay and was sincere about it stating that some patients take longer. He spent enough time with me that I did not feel he was rushed to make up lost time.
UofU Patient
June 17, 2019
FARMINGTON HEALTH CENTER
I was very happy with my entire experience in the office from start to finish. I was a little nervous about my appointment and every member of the staff that I encountered made me feel comfortable and at ease.
UofU Patient
June 14, 2019
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
Dr Kwok is always willing to spend as much time with me as needed to answer any questions or concerns that I have
UofU Patient
June 10, 2019
FARMINGTON HEALTH CENTER
Dr. Kwok is amazing. very reassuring, answered all of my questions in detail. _____ recommend him highly enough.
UofU Patient
May 28, 2019
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
Dr Kwok is an amazing surgeon, he always spends all the time necessary to answer any questions or concerns. He never seems rushed to hurry on to the next patient.
UofU Patient
May 16, 2019
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
I've already recommended him
UofU Patient
April 18, 2019
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
Dr. Kwok is an exceptional doctor. He seemed as though he was willing to spend all time needed to thoroughly cover all my questions.
UofU Patient
April 13, 2019
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
I am so grateful to have Dr. Kwok and Johanna Mcmannus as my cargivers. They are so good at what they do and are ready to do anything that I would need or take time to help me know all options. I am so lucky to get to come here and have them be my care team.
UofU Patient
April 01, 2019
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
good
UofU Patient
March 02, 2019
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
Very caring with calm and patience
UofU Patient
February 14, 2019
FARMINGTON HEALTH CENTER
Dr. Kwok is a brilliant physician. I felt completely confident as I went into my surgery. Everything is healing wonderfully. He answered all questions and helped me to have the best possible outcome. I will definitely recommend Dr. Kwok and his colleagues Joanna Manum, PA. they are a highly functioning team. I appreciate working with Masha Mulcock also. She called me back to answer a concern I had messaged via MyChart, to clarify how my healing was progressing.
UofU Patient
January 21, 2019
FARMINGTON HEALTH CENTER
happy with experience and explanations
UofU Patient
October 29, 2018
FARMINGTON HEALTH CENTER
Loved Dr Kwok! He is so kind!
UofU Patient
October 08, 2018
FARMINGTON HEALTH CENTER
Dr.Kwok is always kind and is my daughter's favorite doctor. He explains everything thoroughly and takes the time to answer our questions.
UofU Patient
September 29, 2018
FARMINGTON HEALTH CENTER
I love Dr. Kwok! He spent a lot of time with my husband and I and answered all of our questions. When I had follow up questions, he also called me and answered everything and eased my worries.
UofU Patient
September 25, 2018
FARMINGTON HEALTH CENTER
One good question that was asked and emphasized with breast reconstruction was "what outcome are you expecting?". This gives the patient an opportunity to set realistic goals and increases satisfaction with the process
UofU Patient
September 12, 2018
FARMINGTON HEALTH CENTER
wonderful experience with the provider, I was very impressed
UofU Patient
September 11, 2018
FARMINGTON HEALTH CENTER
very good
UofU Patient
September 10, 2018
FARMINGTON HEALTH CENTER
Dr Kwok and Joanna are the best team! I would and have recommended him more than once.
UofU Patient
July 10, 2018
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
Dr. Kwok, and Joanna are amazing. The whole team that I see make an experience that could be scary, hard, and tedious easier. They are excellent at making a patient feel confident and very cared for!
UofU Patient
June 26, 2018
..very informative and capable..
UofU Patient
June 07, 2018
best experience I've ever had with a clinic. will recommend it to everyone
UofU Patient
May 19, 2018
I loved Dr. Kwok's bedside manner and his over all concern about my problem. I will see him again in December, 2018
UofU Patient
May 18, 2018
Dr. Kwok was very good. He was kind, knowledgeable, and helpful. If I need help in the future I have confidence in his ability.
UofU Patient
May 11, 2018
being able to meet with both the surgeon and plastic surgeon in one visit was perfect since we had to travel 4 1/2 hours.
UofU Patient
April 27, 2018
Outstanding!
UofU Patient
April 10, 2018
Dr. Kwok has been fantastic through my entire experience. He has taken plenty of time to explain things, answer my questions and I feel that he is very concerned with performing his job to the highest standard.
UofU Patient
March 02, 2018
Dr. Kwok was great. I have nothing negative to say about him, but I don't know if I will return for follow up care due to the time I had to wait after my appointment time to see him.
UofU Patient
February 08, 2018
I have full confidence in Dr Kwok and his team.
UofU Patient
February 05, 2018
Dr Kwok and his staff
UofU Patient
January 30, 2018
First time meeting Dr. Kwok. Feel I am in good hands. Impressed that he was involved in all aspects of my care and coordination of the schedule between providers.
UofU Patient
January 23, 2018
procedure and follow up went exactly as described and I am very happy with my results
UofU Patient
January 12, 2018
Dr. Kwok and his assistant Joanna are fantastic in all respects.
UofU Patient
December 22, 2017
I would recommend this clinic to everyone
UofU Patient
December 08, 2017
very professional staff and kind
UofU Patient
December 03, 2017
Dr. Kwok is wonderful!
UofU Patient
November 10, 2017
Dr. Kwok is an excellent doctor; he always answers my questions fully and I know he cares about me and my treatment. He has made the whole process much easier than I expected going into it.
UofU Patient
November 06, 2017
Very concerned about my care and the outcome I wished to achieve from the surgery. Very professional the way I was treated. Apologized for looking so long but I understood as he had to decide what the best options were for my treatment. I was very impressed the concern and friendliness of everyone.
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
Huntsman Cancer Hospital
801-581-7719
School of Medicine
801-581-8419
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 |
| Chief Resident | University of Utah School of Medicine Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Chief Resident |
| Residency | University of Utah School of Medicine Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Resident |
| Chief Resident | Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School General Surgery Chief Resident |
| Fellowship | Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School General Surgery Clinical Fellow |
| Residency | Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School General Surgery Resident |
| Research Fellow | Harvard School of Public Health Health Policy and Management Research Fellow |
| Graduate Training | Harvard School of Public Health Clinical Effectiveness M.P.H. |
| Internship | Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School General Surgery Intern |
| Professional Medical | University of Utah School of Medicine Medicine M.D. |
| Undergraduate | Yale University Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry B.S. |
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. (Epub ahead of print) J Reconstr Microsurg.
- 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. Nephrology Times, 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.