Dr. Babak Givi

Dr. Babak Givi, MD, is a surgical oncologist specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of tumors of the head and neck. He practices at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK), where he brings extensive training and subspecialty expertise to one of the most complex areas of cancer surgery. His interest in head and neck surgery took root from the earliest days of medical school, leading him from a general surgery residency in Portland, Oregon, to fellowships in surgery, oncology, and reconstruction at MSK and the University of Toronto, all focused on the head and neck.

Dr. Givi has broad expertise in treating tumors of the mouth, throat, thyroid, parathyroid, skin, and salivary glands. When possible, he employs minimally invasive approaches to address larynx, salivary gland, and throat tumors, using endoscopes and lasers to remove tumors without the need for incisions, as well as gland-sparing strategies to preserve normal tissue during salivary gland procedures. He also has extensive experience in advanced imaging techniques for lymph node mapping, which allow surgical oncologists to identify and extract only the lymph nodes affected by cancer, reducing the need for larger operations. His clinical research spans patterns of cancer care delivery, health disparities, adoption of new technologies, and quality and safety of care in head and neck oncology.

Beyond his clinical work, Dr. Givi is a committed educator and leader in surgical training. He serves as Vice-Chair of Education for the American Head and Neck Society, where he leads educational initiatives aimed at preparing the next generation of surgeons for the evolving challenges of 21st-century head and neck surgery. He has conducted research across all areas of head and neck surgery education and curriculum development, building on the distinguished educational traditions of the field in North America. His approach to patient care is guided by a commitment to providing not only advanced treatments and access to clinical trials, but also the support and reassurance that patients need throughout every step of their cancer journey.