Karen Kost

Laryngologist

Professor of Otolaryngology

  • Director, Voice and Dysphagia Laboratory, McGill University.
  • Chair of the Canadian Society of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Laryngology Committee
  • Member of the Transgender Voice Association

Profile

Dr Karen Kost is a Professor of Otolaryngology at McGill University and is the Director of the Voice and Dysphagia Laboratory at McGill University in Montreal. Her principal interests include Voice, Airway, Transgender Voice Surgery, Head and Neck Oncology, and Geriatric Otolaryngology. She sits on several committees within the hospital and University, including the McGill University Faculty Promotions Committee and the McGill University Senate Pool for the Statutory Selection Committee.
As part of her interest in Global health, Dr Kost worked in the Canadian Arctic for over 20 years, performed the first surgical procedure in Northern Quebec, and played an instrumental role in repatriating medical and surgical services to Nunavik in Northern Quebec. In addition, Dr. Kost participated in 2 humanitarian medical missions in remote villages of the Himalayas in Nepal accessible only by foot, with no running water and no electricity.
Dr Kost is the recipient of several awards, including the Birkett prize in Otolaryngology, the Teacher of the Year Award in Otolaryngology twice, the Recognition of Service and Commitment Award from the Canadian Society of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Society , the Distinction Award of Otolaryngology from the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, and a Vice-Presidential citation from the Eastern Section of the Triological Society. She has also been awarded the prestigious Helen B Krause Trailblazer Award from the Women in Otolaryngology section of the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery.

Memberships & Publications

  • 2005 – present Member of the American Triologic Society
  • 2006 – 2011 Member of the American Society of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Geriatric Committee
  • 2006 – 2014 Program Chair, American Society of Geriatric Otolaryngology
  • 2006 – present Executive Member, American Society of Geriatric Otolaryngology
  • 2010 – 2012 Vice-President of the American Society of Geriatric Otolaryngology
  • 2011 – 2015 Consultant for the American Society of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Geriatric Committee
  • 2011 – present Member of the American Laryngological Association
  • 2012 – 2014 President of the American Society of Geriatric Otolaryngology
  • 2012 – present Member of the American Broncho-Esophageal Association
  • 2013 – present Mentorship Program, American Laryngological Association
  • 2015 – present Member of the International Association of Phonosurgery
  • 2015 – 2017 Auditor, American Laryngological Association
  • 2015 – present Member of the Advisory Board of the Voice Foundation
  • 2017 – 2018 Chair, American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery Geriatric Committee
  • 2011 – 2016 Member of the American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery International Committee
  • 2016 – 2017 American Laryngological Association Program planning committee
  • 2015 – 2016 Triological Society Program Planning Committee
  • 2016 – 2017 Chair, American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery International Committee
  • 2017 – present Member of the American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery International Steering Committee
  • 2019 – present Member-at-Large ALA
  • 2022 – present Editor of the American Laryngological Association
  • 2022 – present Member of the Executive Board of the International Association of Phonosurgeons
  • 2018 – present           Member of the Board of Directors of the Voice Foundation
  • 2022 – present           Member of the Planning Committee of the Triologic Society