Karin Kuan-Hui Shih, MD

Karin Shih, MD, is an obstetrician and gynecologist who specializes in gynecologic oncology. She treats women with all types of gynecologic cancers, such as uterine, ovarian, cervical, vulvar, and vaginal cancers. Dr. Shih joined what was then North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System in 2011, following a residency at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and a fellowship at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. One reason she chose to work here was seeing the system’s potential to grow. North Shore-LIJ became Northwell Health in 2015, and she’s seen the system expand substantially.

Dr. Shih gravitated toward women’s health as a specialty during medical school at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons. “I’ve always been interested in women’s health care. Going into obstetrics and gynecology stems from seeing how my mentors in medical school treated and cared for women,” she says. During her residency training, she found her passion working with …gynecologic oncology patients, which made her appreciate how taking care of women dealing with a cancer diagnosis could be rewarding and meaningful.

"Women are the caretakers in our society, and because of that, their priorities are towards family members and their community,” says Dr. Shih. “To be able to help my patients and provide the care they need is so important to me. My patients inspire me every day.” Through thorough communication with patients about their diagnoses and treatment, she helps them navigate through the process, and in turn, they teach her about what's important in life. “The process can be overwhelming, but at Northwell Health the team-based approach is for care centered around each patient.”

Also notable for Dr. Shih is a focus on training the next generation of OB/GYNs and gynecologic oncologists. She is the associate program director for the fellowship program in gynecologic oncology at the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell. In addition, she is the director for the weekly gynecologic oncology tumor board, which is a multidisciplinary meeting with gynecologic oncology, medical oncology, and radiation oncology. This meeting is integral in providing team-based approach for every patient.

“The emphasis on teamwork at Northwell is essential,” she says. “Without collaboration, you simply can’t provide the best medical care.