Katelyn O Stepan

Dr. Katelyn Stepan serves as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery at Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine. She specializes in head and neck cancer surgery, minimally-invasive transoral robotic procedures, and microvascular reconstructive techniques with clinical expertise spanning salivary and endocrine surgery as well as skin cancer reconstruction.

Education

• BA: Rice University (2010)
• MD: Washington University in Saint Louis (2014)
• Otolaryngology Residency: Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (2019)
• Fellowship: Washington University School of Medicine in Saint Louis (2020)

Research Focus

Dr. Stepan's academic work centers on multidisciplinary head and neck cancer management with dual emphasis on surgical innovation and systemic quality improvement. Her research program investigates opioid stewardship in head and neck surgery, social determinants of healthcare access, implementation science for treatment timing optimization, and outcomes in complex reconstructive procedures. She employs both clinical data analysis and quality improvement frameworks to enhance patient safety and surgical outcomes.

Scientific Recognition

• Faculty Excellence in Surgical Teaching and Mentoring Award (2025, 2021)
• AHNS Best Prevention and Early Detection Papers Award, Second Place (2025)
• Certificate of Achievement, Excellence in Clinical Precepting (2023)
• Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society (2021)

Leadership and Service

Dr. Stepan holds multiple leadership positions including Value & Quality of Care Service for the American Head and Neck Society (2025-present), Women in Head and Neck Surgery Service member (2022-present), and Steering Committee for Northwestern's Annual Women in Medicine Conference. She serves on the Population Health & Clinical Research Service Committee and Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Committee (AAO-HNSF). As principal investigator for clinical trial DRUG 24-006, she leads research on molecular residual disease detection in HPV(-) head and neck cancers. Her editorial contributions include Faculty Content Reviewer for The Auricle and peer review for AAO-HNSF clinical practice guidelines.