Dr. Katherine Fischkoff

Biography

Katherine Fischkoff, MD, is a general acute care surgeon specializing in medical ethics at Columbia University. With clinical skills and research expertise, Dr. Fischkoff has gained recognition for her leadership role as the Medical Director of the Surgical Step Unit and as Vice-Chair of the Department of Surgery’s Quality Patient Safety Committee. She has produced influential research in medical ethics that clarifies the role of surgeons in difficult ethical situations, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic when she led the development of standard-of-care recommendations to address the multitude of ethical challenges faced by healthcare workers. She earned her medical degree from George Washington University and received specialized training at New York University and Weill Cornell Medical Center, joining Columbia University thereafter. Her expertise encompasses various surgical procedures, including appendectomy, gallbladder surgery, and minimally invasive surgeries.

Research Interests