Dr. Karen Kostroff has over 35 years of experience as a breast cancer surgeon. Renowned for her clinical expertise, Dr. Kostroff is also committed to caring for her patients with compassion. She prioritizes giving patients the education and resources they need to make informed decisions about their care. Dr. Kostroff is recognized nationwide as a leader in diagnosing and treating women with breast cancer and who have hereditary breast cancer risks.

Dr. Kostroff’s purpose is her patients; she finds helping women through breast cancer extremely rewarding. Patients appreciate her attentiveness, her kindness, and her surgical skills. Dr. Kostroff works closely with other providers in the Northwell Health system to support patients and their families throughout the breast cancer journey.

She is an active member of the Northwell Health community and serves as the Chief of Breast Surgery for the entire Northwell Health system. Dr. Kostroff is the physician leader of Northwell Health’s breast navigation team and is part of a weekly tumor board that develops personalized treatment plans for patients. In addition, she is an Assistant Professor of Surgery at the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell.

"Dr. Karen Kostroff is an outstanding physician. She explains treatment options thoroughly and demonstrates such kindness! Her skill & attentiveness are unequaled."

Education

  • Fellowship in Surgical Oncology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard University
  • Residency in General Surgery, New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center, with a concentration in Cancer Surgery and Breast Disorders at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
  • BA and MD, Medical Honors Program, Boston University

Honors & Awards

  • Patient Choice Award, Northwell Health
  • Honoree, Katz Institute for Women’s Health
  • Honoree, UJA Federation of New York
  • Honoree, Power Women in Business Awards
  • Honoree, Long Island Business News Top 50 Women
  • New York Magazine’s Best Doctors
  • Excellence Award, Carol M. Baldwin Breast Cancer Research Fund
  • Publications

  • Invited Lectures & Presentations

    When Less Is More: The Future of Breast Cancer Treatment. Katz Institute for Women’s Health. (Long Island, NY, 2023)

    Breast Cancer Symposium Breast Cancer Management in the Age of Neoadjuvant Therapy. Northern Westchester Hospital. (Westchester, NY, 2016)

    Advancing Women’sHealth: Beyond the Bikini Approach: Breast Cancer – Surgical Innovations for Breast Cancer. Northwell Health System. (Long Island, NY, 2016)

    Controversies in Breast Cancer Surgery. North Shore LIJ Internal Medicine Conference. (Hilton Head, SC, 2015)

    Too Much or Too Little Surgery. North Shore LIJ Breast Cancer Update. (Long Island, NY, 2013)

    Breast Surgery: How Surgeons Help Patients Make Decisions. North Shore LIJ Breast Cancer Update. (Long Island, NY, 2012)

    Is Less Surgery More? Nipple Sparing Mastectomy and No More Axillary Dissections. Health Seminar. (2012)

    Breast Cancer Update. North Shore LIJ OBGYN Grand Rounds. (Long Island, NY, 2012)

    Is Less Surgery More? Nipple Sparing Mastectomy And No More Axillary Dissections. North Shore LIJ Breast Cancer Update. (Long Island, NY, 2011)

    Breast Health: Knowing the Facts & Dispelling the Myths. American Cancer Society, Queens Division. (New York, NY, 2010)

    30th Anniversary Celebration of Survivorship, Adelphi NY Statewide Breast Cancer Hotline & Support Program. (Garden City, NY, 2010)

    Prophylactic Mastectomy: When, Why & How. North Shore LIJ OBGYN Grand Rounds. (Long Island, NY, 2009)

    Secrets of Long Island Power Women. Long Island Women’s Agenda. (Long Island, NY, 2009)

    Prophylactic Mastectomy: When, Why & How. North Shore LIJ Breast Cancer ASCO Update. (Long Island, NY, 2009)

    Breast Health Knowing the Facts & Dispelling the Myths. North Shore LIJ Women’s Conference. (Long Island, NY, 2009)

    Prophylactic Mastectomy: When, Why & How. Adelphi University Breast Cancer Forum. (Garden City, NY, 2008)

    Breast Cancer. Southampton Hospital Grand Rounds. (Southampton, NY, 2007)

    Breast Cancer Surgery Update. Adelphi University Breast Cancer Forum. (Garden City, NY, 2006)

    Contemporary Issues in Breast Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment. Southampton Hospital Grand Rounds. (Southampton, NY, 2004)

    Innovations in Diagnosis, Surgery and Radiation Treatment. Huntington Hospital OBGYN Grand Rounds. (Long Island, NY, 2004)

    Panel participant. The Sass Foundation for Medical Research 9th Annual Breast Cancer
    Awareness Day. (Melville, NY, 2003)

    New Developments in Breast Cancer Prevention and Treatment. Educational Forum for Health Professionals at Adelphi University. (Garden City, NY, 2003)

    Contemporary (Controversial) Issues in Breast Cancer. North Shore LIJ Surgery Grand Rounds. (Long Island, NY, 2003)

    Innovations in Breast Cancer Treatment. Celebrating Women’s Health: Staying Healthy at Every Age, North Shore LIJ Health System. (Long Island, NY, 2003)

    Developments in Detection, Diagnosis, Treatment and Prevention. Babe Zaharias Tournament for American Cancer Society. (Fresh Meadow, NY, 2003)

    Innovations in Surgical and Radiation Therapy. North Shore LIJ. (Long Island, NY, 2003)

    Innovations in Surgical and Radiation Treatment: a Breast Cancer Forum. Adelphi University. (Garden City, NY, 2003)

    What’s New on the Horizon in Less Invasive Surgical Treatment Techniques. North Shore LIJ OBGYN Grand Rounds. (Long Island, NY, 2003)

    What’s New on the Horizon in Less Invasive Surgical Treatment Techniques. Recent Developments in the Prevention and Treatment of Breast Cancer, North Shore LIJ. (Long Island, NY, 2002)

    Breast Cancer: Developments in Detection, Diagnosis, Treatment and Prevention. North Shore LIJ Nursing Grand Rounds. (Long Island, NY, 2002)

    Developments in Detection, Diagnosis, Treatment And Prevention. Breast Cancer Conference for Healthcare Professionals, Adelphi University. (Garden City, NY, 2001)

    Developments in Detection, Diagnosis, Treatment And Prevention. Third Annual Women’s Health Symposium: “Breakthroughs and Challenges in Women’s Health: What the 21st Century Promises.” (Garden City, NY, 2001)

    Sentinel Node Mapping in Breast Cancer Surgery. North Shore LIJ Nursing Grand Rounds. (Long Island, NY, 2001)

    Developments in Detection, Diagnosis, Treatment and Prevention. Babe Zaharias Tournament for American Cancer Society. (Fresh Meadow, NY, 2001)

    Developments in Detection, Diagnosis, Treatment and Prevention. Community Wellness Program, North Shore LIJ Health System. (Long Island, NY, 2001)

    Update on Breast Disease: Fact vs Fiction. North Shore LIJ Health System. (Long Island, NY, 2001)

    Sentinel Node Mapping in Breast Cancer Surgery. North Shore LIJ Medical Grand Rounds. (Long Island, NY, 2001)

    Sentinel Node Mapping in Breast Cancer Surgery. North Shore University Hospital Grand Rounds. (Manhasset, NY, 2001)

  • Affiliations

    • Long Island Jewish Medical Center
    • North Shore University Hospital
    • Northwell Health Cancer Institute
    • Katz Institute for Women’s Health
  • Insurance

    Dr. Kostroff accepts insurance for all employees insured by Northwell Health. We also recommend you contact us directly with any questions regarding your coverage.

  • Locations

    Dr. Kostroff sees patients at:

    2001 Marcus Ave, Suite W270
    Lake Success, NY 11042
    Tel (516) 775-7676
    Fax (516) 775-4029

Office Supervisor

Vanessa Reyes

Vanessa has been a dedicated team member working with Dr. Kostroff for over 15 years. She navigates all surgical bookings as well as performs managerial tasks for the office. Vanessa’s loyalty to ensure patients have a good experience starts early in the process by always anticipating the needs of the patient and treats patients as if they were family. When not at work, Vanessa enjoys crocheting, going to the movies, reading and spending time with her family.
Administrative Support Coordinator

Jackie Carmen Perezlouis

Jackie has been with Northwell Health and a support staff member for Dr. Kostroff for over a decade. She plays a crucial role in providing general administrative support to ensure a smooth process when it comes to office billing and scheduling. She takes pride in her work and enjoys getting to know patients while helping them through difficult times. In Jackie’s spare time, she enjoys decorating and shopping.
Medical Secretary

Coming soon

Coming soon
Search