Alvin C. Kwok
( out of 155 reviews )

Alvin C. Kwok, MD, MPH

Languages spoken: English, Mandarin Chinese

Clinical Locations

Farmington Health Center

Farmington
801-213-3200
Directions

Huntsman Cancer Institute - Cancer Hospital South

Salt Lake City
801-581-7719
Directions

University of Utah Hospital

Salt Lake City
801-581-7719
Directions

  • 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

    4.9 /5
    ( out of 155 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. For the convenience of our visitors, some patient comments have been translated from their original language into English while preserving their original meaning as accurately as possible. Patients are de-identified for confidentiality and patient privacy.

    June 26, 2025
    HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER

    Dr. Kwok is incredibly knowledgeable and takes the time to ensure you understand all the options and expectations for surgery. He is thorough throughout the process ensuring complete confidence and I couldn't be happier with the outcome of my surgery. I would highly recommend Dr. Kwok to anyone going through the breast cancer experience.

    June 26, 2025
    HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER

    Dr. Kwok is a great surgeon/doctor. Gives explanations in a way the patient understands. He's a personable doctor.

    June 08, 2025
    FARMINGTON HEALTH CENTER

    Dr Kwok is the epitome of kindness combined with brilliant skill and intelligence. I have been a most fortunate woman to have him as my surgeon. I must also compliment him on what a great teacher he is to his residents-it's noticeable to see how much they respect him. Thank you for everything!

    June 05, 2025
    FARMINGTON HEALTH CENTER

    Dr. Kwok is excellent! He is courteous, kind and very aware of each patient's situation. I would highly recommend him!

    May 05, 2025
    FARMINGTON HEALTH CENTER

    He is very knowledgeable! He talks in a way that you can understand and makes sure that you do understand. Great listener, and so kind!

    May 03, 2025
    HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER

    Dr. Kwok appeared intent on pursuing his own approach, which left me feeling unheard and undervalued as a patient. Unlike other practitioners who have helped me feel at ease in difficult situations, I found his demeanor to be lacking in warmth and respect.

    March 30, 2025
    HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER

    Dr. Kwok is patient, clear about treatment option and outcomes. He made me very confident about my upcoming surgery and I'm sure I'll be very pleased with the care and outcome.

    March 23, 2025
    FARMINGTON HEALTH CENTER

    He was so kind and professional.

    February 28, 2025
    HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER

    Dr. Kwok and his team are professional, caring and responsive. They listened to my issues, respected my choices and guided me in making the right decisions. I highly recommend Dr. Kwok and his team.

  • 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 -Associate Professor
    Academic Divisions Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery
    Board Certification
    American Board of Plastic Surgery

    Education history

    Fellowship Breast Reconstruction/Microsurgery - University of Utah Fellow
    Chief Resident Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery - University of Utah School of Medicine Chief Resident
    Residency Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery - University of Utah School of Medicine Resident
    Chief 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
    Graduate Training Clinical Effectiveness - Harvard School of Public Health M.P.H.
    Research Fellow Health Policy and Management - Harvard School of Public Health Research Fellow
    Residency General Surgery - Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School Resident
    Internship General Surgery - Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School Intern
    Professional Medical 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. (Read full article)
    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. (Read full article)
    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. (Read full article)
    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. (Read full article)
    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. (Read full article)
    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. (Read full article)
    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. (Read full article)
    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. (Read full article)
    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. (Read full article)
    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. (Read full article)
    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. (Read full article)
    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. (Read full article)
    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. (Read full article)
    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. (Read full article)
    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. (Read full article)
    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. (Read full article)
    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. (Read full article)
    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. (Read full article)
    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. (Read full article)
    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. (Read full article)
    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. (Read full article)
    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. (Read full article)
    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. (Read full article)
    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. (Read full article)
    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. (Read full article)
    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. (Read full article)
    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. (Read full article)
    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. (Read full article)
    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. (Read full article)
    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. (Read full article)
    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. (Read full article)
    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. (Read full article)
    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. (Read full article)
    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. (Read full article)
    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. (Read full article)
    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. (Read full article)
    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. (Read full article)
    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. (Read full article)
    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. (Read full article)
    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. (Read full article)
    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. (Read full article)
    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. (Read full article)
    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. (Read full article)
    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. (Read full article)
    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. (Read full article)
    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. (Read full article)
    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. (Read full article)
    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. (Read full article)
    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. (Read full article)
    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. (Read full article)
    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. (Read full article)
    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. (Read full article)

    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. (Read full article)

    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. (Read full article)
    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. (Read full article)

    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. (Read full article)
    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. (Read full article)

    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. (Read full article)

  • News & Podcasts

    Huntsman Cancer Institute News