Memorial Sloan Kettering Mohs surgeon Kishwer Nehal

Kishwer S. Nehal, MD

Dermatologist & Mohs Surgeon

My Role at MSK

Areas of Expertise

My Specialties

  • Early-Stage Melanoma
  • Lentigo Maligna Melanoma
  • Basal Cell Carcinoma

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About Me

What I Do at MSK
  • Director, Mohs and Dermatologic Surgery
Get To Know Me

As Director of Mohs and Dermatologic Surgery, I lead a team of highly accomplished Mohs surgeons who are experts in treating skin cancers. We care for people with basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, early-stage melanoma, lentigo maligna melanoma, and other complex skin cancers.

Our Mohs surgery program includes dedicated nurses and a highly specialized and experienced Mohs lab. We offer reconstruction after skin cancer removal, laser surgery, and other dermatologic surgery procedures. The whole team pays very close attention to each aspect of our patients’ care.  

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I also lead MSK’s Multidisciplinary Skin Cancer Management Program, which brings together multiple specialists to care for skin cancers that are difficult to treat due to size, location, or other high-risk features. Our experienced team has the resources and the expertise to handle the most complex cases — and we do not shy away from challenges.

For many years, skin cancers were considered to be less concerning than other cancers. But with the dramatic rise in diagnoses worldwide, skin cancer is receiving more serious attention. At MSK, we have always emphasized skin cancer prevention, early diagnosis, and effective treatments. Fortunately, the overall prognosis is usually very good, but since most skin cancers occur in delicate areas of the face, this requires a precise and thoughtful surgical approach. We also recognize that the treatment decisions we make today can affect a person years later. This important understanding helps guide the treatment and reconstruction recommendations that I discuss with my patients. I strive to support my patients through each step of their care, tailoring surgical options to meet their needs and focusing on their quality of life now and in the future.

Along with caring for patients, I conduct clinical research on noninvasive imaging techniques, such as confocal microscopy. New technologies are helping us reduce unnecessary biopsies, find skin cancers sooner, and map skin cancer margins to guide surgery while sparing as much healthy tissue as possible. I also study melanomas that occur on the face to look for ways to improve treatment. With two decades of study, we published the first dedicated book on lentigo maligna melanoma to help physicians in managing this difficult skin cancer.

I serve on national committees working to improve the care of people with skin cancer. I work with the National Comprehensive Cancer Network to develop guidelines on managing skin cancers. I have also helped the American Joint Committee on Cancer to develop staging criteria for squamous cell carcinomas of the skin that have the potential for spread. I have shared my expertise at national and international meetings and written numerous journal articles and book chapters to improve our knowledge of challenging skin cancers. I also work with the Dermatology Foundation, an organization that awards grants to young dermatologists doing innovative research to advance patient care.

I knew from a young age that I was interested in medicine. But it wasn’t until medical school that I discovered the multifaceted nature of skin cancers and became intrigued by the challenges of Mohs and reconstructive surgery. I have been fortunate to have mentors who were passionate about improving skin cancer treatments and also caring and thoughtful in their approach to patients. These formative experiences shaped me as a physician and inspired me to be a dedicated mentor to tomorrow’s skin cancer specialists.

In my free time, I enjoy being with my family and friends, traveling, and exploring the great outdoors.

My Role at MSK

A dermatologist is a doctor with special training in skin, hair, and nails.

A Mohs surgeon is a doctor with special training in treating skin cancer with Mohs surgery. This surgery removes cancer while keeping healthy tissue safe.

Areas of Expertise

My Specialties

  • Early-Stage Melanoma
  • Lentigo Maligna Melanoma
  • Basal Cell Carcinoma
  • Squamous Cell Carcinoma
  • Nonmelanoma Skin Cancer
  • Dermatologic Surgery
  • Mohs Micrographic Surgery
  • Cutaneous Reconstruction
  • Laser Surgery
Education & Honors

Education

  • MD, Boston University School of Medicine

Residencies

  • Dermatology - New York University Medical Center

Awards and Honors

  • Castle Connolly: America’s Top Doctor (2024)
  • Top Doctors New York Metro Area, Castle Connolly (2023)
  • Exceptional Women in Medicine Award, Castle Connolly (2023)
  • Castle Connolly: America's Top Doctors (2023)
  • Castle Connolly: New York Magazine Top Doctors (2014-Present)

Fellowships

  • Dermatologic Surgery - New York University Medical Center

Board Certifications

  • Dermatology

Insurance Information

Understanding your insurance options is an important part of managing your cancer care. We have relationships with many common healthcare providers and plans.

Aetna

In Network Coverage Type
HMO, EPO PPO, POS, Transplant

Aetna Medicare Advantage (MTA retirees only)

In Network Coverage Type
PPO

Blue Cross Blue Shield Federal Employee Program

In Network Coverage Type
HMO, PPO

Blue Cross Blue Shield New York

In Network Coverage Type
PPO, POS, EPO, HMO

Blue Cross Blue Shield states outside of NY/NJ

In Network Coverage Type
HMO, EPO PPO, POS

Blue Cross Health Plus

In Network Coverage Type
HMO

Carrum Health

In Network Coverage Type
Supplemental

Cigna

In Network Coverage Type
PPO, POS, HMO

MSK has a tentative agreement with Cigna to continue coverage in 2024.

Connecticare

In Network Coverage Type
POS, EPO, HMO

Emblem

In Network Coverage Type
PPO, POS, EPO, HMO

Offers a qualified health plan from the Health Insurance Marketplace. Call Emblem to learn more.

Emblem Essential

In Network Coverage Type
HMO

Emblem Medicare Advantage

In Network Coverage Type
PPO, HMO

Empire Blue Cross Medicare Advantage

In Network Coverage Type
PPO, HMO, DSN

Empire Essential

In Network Coverage Type
HMO

Empire Plan / NYSHIP (Blue Cross/UnitedHealthcare split plan)

In Network Coverage Type
PPO

Fidelis

In Network Coverage Type
HMO, EPO

Offers a qualified health plan from the Health Insurance Marketplace. Call Fidelis to learn more.

Fidelis Managed Medicaid & HARP

In Network Coverage Type
HMO

Fidelis Medicare Advantage

In Network Coverage Type
HMO

First Health

In Network Coverage Type
PPO

Healthfirst

In Network Coverage Type
EPO, HMO, PPO, POS

Offers a qualified health plan from the Health Insurance Marketplace. Call Healthfirst to learn more.

Healthfirst Managed Medicaid

In Network Coverage Type
HMO

Healthfirst Medicare Advantage

In Network Coverage Type
HMO, PPO

Healthsmart

In Network Coverage Type
PPO EPO

Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield New Jersey (HMO)

In Network Coverage Type
HMO

Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield New Jersey (PPO)

In Network Coverage Type
PPO

Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield New Jersey Omnia Tier I (EPO)

In Network Coverage Type
EPO

Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield New Jersey Omnia Tier II (EPO)

In Network Coverage Type
EPO

Horizon Medicare Advantage

In Network Coverage Type
PPO, HMO

Husky CT Medicaid

In Network Coverage Type
State Government

Magnacare

In Network Coverage Type
PPO, POS, EPO

Straight NJ Medicaid

In Network Coverage Type
State Government

Straight NY Medicaid

In Network Coverage Type
State Government

Medicare Part A&B (traditional Medicare)

In Network Coverage Type
Federal Government

Multiplan/Beech Street/PHCS

In Network Coverage Type
Supplemental

MVP

In Network Coverage Type
PPO/OAP

Non-Participating Plans with Out of Network Benefits

In Network Coverage Type
PPO, POS, EPO, HMO

NYC Medicare Advantage Plus for City Employees

In Network Coverage Type
TBD

Oscar

In Network Coverage Type
HMO/EPO

Oxford

In Network Coverage Type
PPO, EPO

World Trade Center Health Program (WTC)

In Network Coverage Type
State Government

Qualcare

In Network Coverage Type
PPO, POS, HMO

Tricare

In Network Coverage Type
PPO, HMO

UMR

In Network Coverage Type
PPO, POS

United Healthcare

In Network Coverage Type
PPO, POS, HMO

Don't see your carrier or plan? We can help you understand your coverage.

If you don't have health insurance or are worried that your care may not be fully covered, our financial assistance programs may be able to help.

If you have questions about insurance, call us at 646-497-9176.

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Current Patients

Request an appointment by logging on to MyMSK or calling your doctor’s office. If you aren’t registered for MyMSK, call 646-227-2593 for your Enrollment ID.

Contact and Location

Dr. Nehal sees patients at one location.

Office Phone
Location
New York, NY

Looking to see a doctor at a different location? See all MSK locations.

Colleagues

Doctors at Memorial Sloan Kettering work as teams, with specialists from all different areas. This allows us to consider all your needs together, and to give you the best possible care.

See all Dermatology Service doctors

Clinical Trials

Smiling doctors in the lab
Find a Clinical Trial for You

Memorial Sloan Kettering's doctors and scientists are constantly developing new treatments for cancer. MSK is typically running hundreds of clinical trials at a given time.

You may be able to participate in a clinical trial even if you are new to MSK. Search our online directory to find trial information and see more about who can participate.

Search clinical trials

Research and Publications

Update on Keratinocyte Carcinomas. Nehal KS, Bichakjian CK. N Engl J Med. 2018 Jul 26;379(4):363-374.

Modernizing the Mohs Surgery Consultation: Instituting a Video Module for Improved Patient Education and Satisfaction. Newsom E, Lee E, Rossi A, Dusza S, Nehal K. Dermatol Surg. 2018 Jun;44(6):778-784.

Guidelines of care for the management of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma. Work Group; Invited Reviewers, Kim JYS, Kozlow JH, Mittal B, Moyer J, Olenecki T, Rodgers P. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2018 Mar;78(3):560-578.

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Publications on PubMed

Visit PubMed for a full listing of Dr. Nehal’s journal articles. Pubmed is an online index of research papers and other articles from the US National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health.

See all on PubMed

Disclosures

Doctors and faculty members often work with pharmaceutical, device, biotechnology, and life sciences companies, and other organizations outside of MSK, to find safe and effective cancer treatments, to improve patient care, and to educate the health care community.

MSK requires doctors and faculty members to report (“disclose”) the relationships and financial interests they have with external entities. As a commitment to transparency with our community, we make that information available to the public.

Kishwer S. Nehal discloses the following relationships and financial interests:

No disclosures meeting criteria for time period


If you’re a patient at MSK and would like more information about your doctor’s external relationships, please talk with your doctor.

The information published here is for a specific annual disclosure period. There may be differences between information on this and other public sites as a result of different reporting periods and/or the various ways relationships and financial interests are categorized by organizations that publish such data.


This page and data include information for a specific MSK annual disclosure period (January 1, 2022 through disclosure submission in spring 2023). This data reflects interests that may or may not still exist. This data is updated annually.

Learn more about MSK’s COI policies here. For questions regarding MSK’s COI-related policies and procedures, email MSK’s Compliance Office at [email protected].


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