Karen D. Horvath, MD
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Dr. Karen Horvath brings her excellent medical skills, experience, and compassion to her work as a colorectal cancer surgeon.
“Cancer is an equalizer,” says Dr. Horvath. “No matter what our backgrounds, finances, or life styles, we are all equal when it comes to having cancer, going through treatment, and hoping for a good prognosis.”
When her own father had colorectal cancer, she felt fortunate to have her extended family there to support each other. “It made all the difference in the world,” she remembers. Realizing that everyone in a family is affected by a loved one’s cancer, Dr. Horvath encourages families to be involved. She also understands that not everyone has a family to surround them in a time of crisis. She suggests that those patients build a support system by attending classes and going to support groups. “I have also seen patients’ faith make a difference in how they handle the challenges of cancer,” she says.
Just as family teamwork is important for patient recovery, so is good teamwork among SCCA providers. “The excellent working team relationships I have with my colleagues—oncologists, radiologists, pathologists, and gastroenterologists—is one of the highlights of my job. I am grateful to be working with such bright, caring, knowledgeable specialists.” As director of the Residency Program, Dr. Horvath is coaching the next generation of surgeons to be compassionate, thoughtful surgeons and as committed to caring for their patients and families as she is.
Dr. Horvath believes that a patient’s attitude and effort, an involved family, and skilled and experienced care providers greatly affect treatment and recovery. “A positive outlook effects how quickly a patient recovers and how invested they are in their own recovery,” she says. “We involve everyone in the decision-making process.” Since patients are often scared and overwhelmed, she suggests that each patient write down his or her questions on a piece of paper and bring them to office visits, surgery, and the hospital. And to consider bringing someone along to appointments to write down the answers.
Dr. Horvath is the author of over 40 publications, five textbook chapters, and numerous resident-training videos. She serves on committees and the board of directors at organizations such as the American College of Surgeons, the Association of Program Directors in Surgery and the Society of Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons.
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Telephone: (206) 288-SCCA (7222) Fax: (206) 288-1025 |
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Compassionate care, collaboration and commitment
Dr. Karen Horvath brings her excellent medical skills, experience, and compassion to her work as a colorectal cancer surgeon.
“Cancer is an equalizer,” says Dr. Horvath. “No matter what our backgrounds, finances, or life styles, we are all equal when it comes to having cancer, going through treatment, and hoping for a good prognosis.”
When her own father had colorectal cancer, she felt fortunate to have her extended family there to support each other. “It made all the difference in the world,” she remembers. Realizing that everyone in a family is affected by a loved one’s cancer, Dr. Horvath encourages families to be involved. She also understands that not everyone has a family to surround them in a time of crisis. She suggests that those patients build a support system by attending classes and going to support groups. “I have also seen patients’ faith make a difference in how they handle the challenges of cancer,” she says.
Just as family teamwork is important for patient recovery, so is good teamwork among SCCA providers. “The excellent working team relationships I have with my colleagues—oncologists, radiologists, pathologists, and gastroenterologists—is one of the highlights of my job. I am grateful to be working with such bright, caring, knowledgeable specialists.” As director of the Residency Program, Dr. Horvath is coaching the next generation of surgeons to be compassionate, thoughtful surgeons and as committed to caring for their patients and families as she is.
Dr. Horvath believes that a patient’s attitude and effort, an involved family, and skilled and experienced care providers greatly affect treatment and recovery. “A positive outlook effects how quickly a patient recovers and how invested they are in their own recovery,” she says. “We involve everyone in the decision-making process.” Since patients are often scared and overwhelmed, she suggests that each patient write down his or her questions on a piece of paper and bring them to office visits, surgery, and the hospital. And to consider bringing someone along to appointments to write down the answers.
Dr. Horvath is the author of over 40 publications, five textbook chapters, and numerous resident-training videos. She serves on committees and the board of directors at organizations such as the American College of Surgeons, the Association of Program Directors in Surgery and the Society of Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons.
Karen D. Horvath
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