Robert S. Kang, M.D., M.P.H.

Robert Kang, M.D., M.P.H., is an assistant clinical professor in City of Hope's Division of Head and Neck Surgery. Dr. Kang brings his highly skilled surgical expertise in advanced facial reconstructive and microvascular procedures to patients with complex and challenging head and neck cancers.

Dr. Kang’s facial plastic surgery background provides him with the unique ability to employ cosmetic procedures as necessary such as hair transplantation, face and neck lifting, rhinoplasty, blepharoplasty, and laser skin and scar treatments in a reconstructive fashion to maximize aesthetic and functional outcomes for our head and neck cancer patients.

Dr. Kang earned his undergraduate degree with honors in biology from Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, and obtained his medical degree with distinction in research from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in Bronx, New York.

His residency was completed in the Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery at the University of Washington Medicine in Seattle. During this time he also earned a master's degree in the University’s School of Public Health with a National Institutes of Health-funded institutional research fellowship. Dr. Kang furthered his training with a fellowship in microvascular facial plastic and reconstructive surgery in the Department of Head and Neck Surgery at University of California Los Angeles.

Dr. Kang also plays in an indie rock band called Help the Doctor, which is made up of himself (vocals, guitar and keyboards) along with three other surgeons. The band has performed at a number of shows, raising money for different charity causes.

• Amini A, Verma V, Li R, Vora N, Kang R, Gernon TJ, Chang S, Karam S, Massarelli E, Maghami EG, Glaser S. Factors predicting for patient refusal of head and neck cancer therapy. Head Neck. 2020 Jan;42(1);33-42. Doi: 10. 1002/hed.25966. Epub 2019 Oct 4.
• A. Shinde, V. Verma, B.L. Jones, R. Li, S. Glaser, M. Freeman, R. Kang, U. Parvathaneni, B. Modi, A. Amini, The effect of time to postoperative radiation therapy on survival in resected merkel cell carcinoma, American Journal of Clinical Oncology. 42(August 2019) 636-642.
• Amini A, Stokes WA, Jones BL, Sampath S, Kang RS, Gernon TJ, Maghami EG, Massarelli E, Bradley CJ, Karam SD. Postoperative radiation performed at the same surgical facility associated with improved overall survival in oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma, Head and Neck. Jan (2019). 
• Andretto Amodeo C, Casasco A, Icaro Cornaglia A, Kang R, Keller GS. Thesuborbicularis oculi fat (SOOF) and the fascial planes; has everything already beenexplained? JAMA Facial Plast Surg. 2014 Jan-Feb;16(1):36-41.
• Kang, RS, Keller, GS. Neck Rejuvenation. In WF Larrabee, JM Ridgway (Eds). MasterTechniques in Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery: Facial Plastic Surgery. Lippincott Williams &Wilkins, Philadelphia. 2014.
• Kang RS, Lee MK, Seth R, Keller GS. Platelet-rich plasma in cosmetic surgery. Int JOtorhinolaryngol Clin. 2013 Jan-Apr;5(1):24-8.
• Kang RS, Rubinstein JT., Middle cranial fossa facial nerve decompression before two years of age. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol. 2013 Apr;77(4):570-2. doi: 10.1016/j.ijporl.2012.12.013. Epub 2013 Jan 5.
• Lewis A, Kang R, Levine A, Maghami E. The New Face of Head and Neck Cancer: The HPV Epidemic.  2015 Sep; 29(9).
• Won JH, Drennan WR, Kang RS, Rubinstein JT. Psychoacoustic abilities associated with music perception in cochlear implant users. Ear Hear. 2010 Dec;31(6):796-805.
• Kang RS, Nimmons GL, Drennan W, Longnion J, Ruffin C, Nie K, Won JH, Worman T, Yueh B, Rubinstein J. Development and validation of the University of Washington Clinical Assessment of Music Perception test. Ear Hear. 2009 Aug;30(4):411-8.
• Nimmons GL, Kang RS, Drennan WR, Longnion J, Ruffin C, Worman T, Yueh B, Rubenstein JT. Clinical assessment of music perception in cochlear implant listeners.Otol Neurotol. 2008 Feb;29(2):149-55.
   

Published Abstracts

Presentations

• COH Representative & Guest: “What Distinguishes COH From Other Institutions: Compassionate Care, Investing in Passionate Talent, Speed to Cure and FDA Approved Manufacturing Facilities on Campus”, Taste of Hope (Music, Film & Entertainment Industry Board Members), New York, NY, April 2019.
• Presenter: “Discussed COH Integrated Approach to Treating H&N Cancers by Combining the Latest Research Findings with Outstanding Patient Care”, Music, Film and Entertainment Industry Group, Future Hope 2019 Kickoff, West Hollywood, CA, January 2019.
• KTLA Live Interview: “The Impact of Drinking, Smoking and HPV”, Tournament House-Pasadena, CA01/01/19    KTLA Interview - "Does Music Have the Power to Cure The Sick", Pre-Show 2019 Rose Parade "Backstage at the Rose Parade", Pasadena, CA, January 2019.
• KTLA Interview with Leeza Gibbons: “Rose Parade Theme, “The Melody of Life.” Theme celebrates music, the universal language. Music brings people together, prompts memory recall, heals us, defines us and inspires us to be our greater selves. City of Hope, Duarte, CA, December 2018.
• Presenter: “A Music Project that Brings Together Artists to Create an Album in Support of City of Hope”, City of Hope Speakers Bureau - Vinyl Covers Music Event, Glendale, CA, November 2018.
• Podcast Interview – Hope Talk, a City of Hope Podcast “Surgical Reconstruction and Cancer Care”, Phelps Communications, Playa Vista, CA, January 2018.
• Participant/Rider on City of Hope’s 128th Tournament of Roses Parade Float “Transforming Lives With Hope”, January 2017.
• Presenter, Head and Neck Reconstruction Through The Eyes of Artist, Multidisciplinary Approaches to Cancer Treatment, Las Vegas, NV, November 2015.
• Amodeo C, Casasco A, Seth R, Kang R, Keller G. The fascial planes of the midface: doesthe SMAS play the only leading role? Oral presentation. AAFPRS, Annual Fall Meeting,New Orleans, LA, October 2013.
• Kang RS. Facial plastic surgery in head and neck cancer reconstruction. Oral presentation.KAMA 31st Annual Convention and Scientific Program, Las Vegas, NV, July 2013.
• Kang RS. Human Papillomavirus and head & neck cancer. Oral presentation. Department of Surgery Grand Rounds, Duarte, CA, July 2013.
• Lee MK, Kang RS, Zaghi S, Seth R, Keller GS. Outcomes of the subperiosteal midfacelift. Oral presentation. AAFPRS, Combined Otolaryngology Spring Meeting, Orlando, FL, April2013.
• Kang RS. Progress in facial reconstruction. Oral presentation. City of Hope CME GrandRounds, Duarte, CA, April 2013.
• Keller GS, Kang RS. Biostimulation of our own cells for skin rejuvenation. Oralpresentation. AAFPRS Rejuvenation of the Aging Face, San Diego, CA, January 2012.
• Drennan WR, Liu G, Kang RS, Crosson J, Won JH, Rubinstein JT. Music perception with a cochlear implant. Oral presentation. The 11th International Conference on Music Perception andCognition (ICMPC11) Seattle, WA, August 2010.
• Kang RS, Gassner HG, Bergeron CM, Moe KS. Fat graft camouflage; a surgicalmodification of upper eyelid weight implantation. Poster presentation. AAFPRS FallMeeting, Chicago, IL, September 2008.
• Rubinstein JT, Drennan WRm Crosson J, Nie K, Won JH, Kang RS. Music perceptionwith cochlear implants. Oral presentation. ARO MidWinter Meeting, Phoenix, AZ. February2008.
• Won JH, Drennan WR, Kang RS, Longnion J, Rubinstein JT, editors. Relationships among music perception, speech perception in noise, Schroeder phase and spectraldiscrimination ability in cochlear implant users. Oral presentation. Proceedings of the Conferenceon Implantable Auditory Prostheses, Lake Tahoe, CA, July 2007.
• Kang RS, Liu G, Drennan WR, Longnion J, Yueh B, Rubenstein JT. Development andvalidation of the University of Washington (UW) music test for cochlear implant users.Oral presentation. ARO MidWinter Meeting, Denver, CO, February 2007.
• Kang RS, Liu G, Drennan WR, Longnion J, Ruffin C, Worman T, Yueh B, Rubenstein JT. Validation of a music perception test for adult cochlear implantees. Oral presentation.AAO-HNS Annual Meeting, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, September 2006.