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Babak Givi

Babak Givi, MD, MHPE

Head and Neck Surgeon

My Role at MSK

Areas of Expertise

Conditions I Treat

  • Head and neck cancers
  • Thyroid nodules
  • Thyroid cancer and conditions

My Specialties

  • Minimally Invasive Surgery
  • Endoscopic surgery
  • Laser Surgery
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Dr. Givi's Office Information
Languages: English & Farsi
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About Me

What I Do at MSK
  • Associate Attending Surgeon
Get To Know Me

I am a surgical oncologist specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of tumors of the head and neck.

I have been interested in head and neck surgery since the day I started medical school. This early enthusiasm took me from Portland, Oregon, where I did my residency in general surgery, to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) and the University of Toronto, where I completed fellowships in surgery, oncology, and reconstruction (all focused on the head and neck).

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I have expertise in treating tumors of the mouth, throat, thyroid, parathyroid, skin, and salivary glands. When possible, I use minimally invasive approaches to address larynx, salivary gland, and throat tumors. This includes endoscopes and lasers, which can be used to remove tumors without the need for an incision. I also use gland-sparing strategies to preserve normal tissue when removing salivary gland tumors.

Additionally, I have extensive experience in advanced imaging techniques for lymph node mapping. These strategies help surgical oncologists like me identify and extract (take out) only the lymph nodes affected by cancer. This reduces the need for larger incisions and bigger operations.

My goal is to help my patients throughout their cancer diagnosis and treatment journey. I strive to give them the support and the hope they need while reminding them that they are not alone at any step in this process. I feel very fortunate to be part of the world-class team at MSK, where we can offer the most advanced treatments and cutting-edge clinical trials possible to our patients.

In addition to my clinical practice, I lead the American Head & Neck Society’s educational efforts as Vice-Chair of Education. Head and neck surgery education has a distinguished history in North America. I seek to build on this tradition by preparing the next generation of surgeons for the challenges ahead in the 21st century. To that end, I have conducted research in all areas of head and neck surgery education and curriculum development. Outside of the educational setting, my research has focused on many different areas of head and neck cancer, such as patterns of cancer care delivery, health disparities, adoption of new technologies, and quality and safety of care.

My Role at MSK

A head and neck surgeon is a doctor with special training in surgery on the head and neck. This includes the larynx, lips, mouth, nose, salivary glands, and throat.

Areas of Expertise

Conditions I Treat

  • Head and neck cancers
  • Thyroid nodules
  • Thyroid cancer and conditions
  • Parathyroid tumors
  • Salivary gland tumors
  • Mouth (oral) cancer
  • Throat cancers and conditions
  • Laryngeal (larynx) cancer
  • Skin cancer and conditions

My Specialties

  • Minimally Invasive Surgery
  • Endoscopic surgery
  • Laser Surgery
Education & Honors

Education

  • MD, Tehran University of Medical Sciences
  • MHPE, University of Illinois

Residencies

  • General Surgery - Oregon Health & Science University

Awards and Honors

  • Head & Neck Surgery Honor Award, American Academy of Otolaryngology (2021)
  • Award for Outstanding Service as Chair of the Curriculum Development Service, American Head & Neck Society (2020)

Fellowships

  • Head & Neck Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
  • Head & Neck Surgery, Oregon Health & Science University
  • Head and Neck Oncology, University of Toronto

Board Certifications

  • American Board of Surgery

Insurance Information

Understanding your insurance options is an important part of managing your cancer care. We have relationships with many common healthcare providers and plans.

Aetna

In Network Coverage Type
HMO, EPO PPO, POS, Transplant

Aetna Medicare Advantage (MTA and NYC retirees only)

In Network Coverage Type
PPO

Anthem BCBS and other BCBS licensee plans

In Network Coverage Type
PPO, POS, EPO, HMO

See updates

Anthem BCBS Health Plus

In Network Coverage Type
HMO

See updates

Blue Cross Blue Shield Federal Employee Program

In Network Coverage Type
HMO, PPO

See updates

Blue Cross Blue Shield states outside of NY/NJ

In Network Coverage Type
HMO, EPO PPO, POS

See updates

Carrum Health

In Network Coverage Type
Supplemental

Cigna

In Network Coverage Type
PPO, POS, HMO

Connecticare

In Network Coverage Type
POS, EPO, HMO

Emblem

In Network Coverage Type
PPO, POS, EPO, HMO

Offers a qualified health plan from the Health Insurance Marketplace. Call Emblem to learn more.

Emblem Essential

In Network Coverage Type
HMO

Emblem Medicare Advantage (Medicare Choice PPO Network and VIP Prime Network Only)

In Network Coverage Type
PPO, HMO

Empire Essential

In Network Coverage Type
HMO

Empire Plan / NYSHIP (Blue Cross/UnitedHealthcare split plan)

In Network Coverage Type
PPO

See updates

Fidelis

In Network Coverage Type
HMO, EPO

Offers a qualified health plan from the Health Insurance Marketplace. Call Fidelis to learn more.

Fidelis Managed Medicaid & HARP

In Network Coverage Type
HMO

Fidelis Medicare Advantage

In Network Coverage Type
HMO

First Health

In Network Coverage Type
PPO

Healthfirst

In Network Coverage Type
EPO, HMO, PPO, POS

Offers a qualified health plan from the Health Insurance Marketplace. Call Healthfirst to learn more.

Healthfirst Managed Medicaid

In Network Coverage Type
HMO

Healthfirst Medicare Advantage

In Network Coverage Type
HMO, PPO

Healthsmart

In Network Coverage Type
PPO EPO

Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield New Jersey (HMO)

In Network Coverage Type
HMO

See updates

Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield New Jersey (PPO)

In Network Coverage Type
PPO

See updates

Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield New Jersey Omnia Tier I (EPO)

In Network Coverage Type
EPO

See updates

Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield New Jersey Omnia Tier II (EPO)

In Network Coverage Type
EPO

See updates

Horizon Medicare Advantage

In Network Coverage Type
PPO, HMO

Husky CT Medicaid

In Network Coverage Type
State Government

Magnacare

In Network Coverage Type
PPO, POS, EPO

Straight NJ Medicaid

In Network Coverage Type
State Government

Straight NY Medicaid

In Network Coverage Type
State Government

Medicare Part A&B (traditional Medicare)

In Network Coverage Type
Federal Government

Multiplan/Beech Street/PHCS

In Network Coverage Type
Supplemental

MVP

In Network Coverage Type
PPO/OAP

Non-Participating Plans with Out of Network Benefits

In Network Coverage Type
PPO, POS, EPO, HMO

NYC Medicare Advantage Plus for City Employees

In Network Coverage Type
TBD

Oscar

In Network Coverage Type
HMO/EPO

Oxford

In Network Coverage Type
PPO, EPO

World Trade Center Health Program (WTC)

In Network Coverage Type
State Government

Qualcare

In Network Coverage Type
PPO, POS, HMO

Tricare

In Network Coverage Type
PPO, HMO

UMR

In Network Coverage Type
PPO, POS

United Healthcare

In Network Coverage Type
PPO, POS, HMO

Don't see your carrier or plan? We can help you understand your coverage.

If you don't have health insurance or are worried that your care may not be fully covered, our financial assistance programs may be able to help.

If you have questions about insurance, call us at 646-497-9176.

Make an Appointment

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Current Patients
Request an appointment by logging on to MyMSK or calling your doctor’s office. If you aren’t registered for MyMSK, call 646-227-2593 for your Enrollment ID.

Contact and Location

Dr. Givi sees patients at three locations.

Office Phone
Location
New York, NY
Middletown, NJ
Montvale, NJ
David H. Koch Center for Cancer Care at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
530 East 74th Street New York NY 10021
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Memorial Sloan Kettering Monmouth
480 Red Hill Road Middletown NJ 07748
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Memorial Sloan Kettering Bergen
225 Summit Avenue Montvale NJ 07645
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Colleagues

Doctors at Memorial Sloan Kettering work as teams, with specialists from all different areas. This allows us to consider all your needs together, and to give you the best possible care.

See all Head and Neck Service doctors

Clinical Trials

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Find a Clinical Trial for You

Memorial Sloan Kettering's doctors and scientists are constantly developing new treatments for cancer. MSK is typically running hundreds of clinical trials at a given time.

You may be able to participate in a clinical trial even if you are new to MSK. Search our online directory to find trial information and see more about who can participate.

Search clinical trials

Research and Publications

Givi B, Gordon AJ, Park YS, Lydiatt WM, Tekian A. Needs assessment in head and neck surgical oncology training: A qualitative study of expert opinions. Head Neck. 2022 Aug 3. doi: 10.1002/hed.27158. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 35920353.

Talwar A, Gordon AJ, Bewley AF, Fancy T, Lydiatt WM, Weed D, Moore MG, Givi B. Distribution of the head and neck surgical oncology workforce in the United States. Head Neck. 2022 Aug 9. doi: 10.1002/hed.27157. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 35942943.

Oliver JR, Persky MJ, Wang B, Duvvuri U, Gross ND, Vaezi AE, Morris LGT, Givi B. Transoral robotic surgery adoption and safety in treatment of oropharyngeal cancers. Cancer. 2022 Feb 15;128(4):685-696. doi: 10.1002/cncr.33995. Epub 2021 Nov 11. PMID: 34762303; PMCID: PMC9446338.

Dublin JC, Papazian M, Zan E, Oweity T, Sun W, Jacobson A, Patel K, Brandler TC, Givi B. Predictive Value of a Genomic Classifier in Indeterminate Thyroid Nodules Based on Nodule Size. JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2022 Jan 1;148(1):53-60. doi: 10.1001/jamaoto.2021.3080. PMID: 34734965; PMCID: PMC8569598.

Rotsides JM, Oliver JR, Moses LE, Tam M, Li Z, Schreiber D, Jacobson AS, Hu KS, Givi B. Socioeconomic and Racial Disparities and Survival of Human Papillomavirus-Associated Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2021 Jan;164(1):131-138. doi: 10.1177/0194599820935853. Epub 2020 Jul 14. PMID: 32660368.

Givi B, Schiff BA, Chinn SB, Clayburgh D, Iyer NG, Jalisi S, Moore MG, Nathan CA, Orloff LA, O’Neill JP, Parker N, Zender C, Morris LGT, Davies L. Safety Recommendations for Evaluation and Surgery of the Head and Neck During the COVID-19 Pandemic. JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2020 Jun 1;146(6):579-584. doi: 10.1001/jamaoto.2020.0780. PMID: 32232423.

Oliver JR, Lieberman SM, Tam MM, Liu CZ, Li Z, Hu KS, Morris LGT, Givi B. Human papillomavirus and survival of patients with sinonasal squamous cell carcinoma. Cancer. 2020 Apr 1;126(7):1413-1423. doi: 10.1002/cncr.32679. Epub 2019 Dec 30. PMID: 31886908.

Publications on PubMed

Visit PubMed for a full listing of Dr. Givi’s journal articles. Pubmed is an online index of research papers and other articles from the US National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health.

See all on PubMed

Disclosures

Doctors and faculty members often work with pharmaceutical, device, biotechnology, and life sciences companies, and other organizations outside of MSK, to find safe and effective cancer treatments, to improve patient care, and to educate the health care community.

MSK requires doctors and faculty members to report (“disclose”) the relationships and financial interests they have with external entities. As a commitment to transparency with our community, we make that information available to the public.

Babak Givi discloses the following relationships and financial interests:

No disclosures meeting criteria for time period


If you’re a patient at MSK and would like more information about your doctor’s external relationships, please talk with your doctor.

The information published here is a complement to other publicly reported data and is for a specific annual disclosure period. There may be differences between information on this and other public sites as a result of different reporting periods and/or the various ways relationships and financial interests are categorized by organizations that publish such data.

This page and data include information for a specific MSK annual disclosure period (January 1, 2023 through disclosure submission in spring 2024). This data reflects interests that may or may not still exist. This data is updated annually.

Learn more about MSK’s COI policies here. For questions regarding MSK’s COI-related policies and procedures, email MSK’s Compliance Office at [email protected].


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