Memorial Sloan Kettering surgeon Valeria Silva Merea

Valeria Silva Merea, MD

Laryngologist, Surgeon

Titles

Director, Speech and Hearing Center

Clinical Expertise

Vocal Cord Cancer; Vocal Cord Leukoplakia; Vocal Cord Paralysis; Benign Vocal Cord Lesions; Spasmodic Dysphonia; Voice Disorders; Swallowing Disorders; Zenker’s Diverticulum; Airway Disorders; Subglottic Stenosis

Share

New Patient Appointments

Scheduling a visit is easy. Click below or call us to get started.

Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., (Eastern time)
Accepted Insurance Providers

Dr. Silva Merea accepts the following list of insurance providers. Select your insurance provider to see more details.

Aetna

Payor Type: Commercial
In Network Coverage Type(s): HMO, EPO PPO, POS, Transplant

Aetna Medicare Advantage (City of NY retirees only, starting 9/1/23)

Payor Type: Medicare/Medicare Advantage
In Network Coverage Type(s): PPO

Blue Cross Blue Shield Federal Employee Program

Payor Type: Commercial
In Network Coverage Type(s): HMO, PPO

Blue Cross Blue Shield New York

Payor Type: Commercial
In Network Coverage Type(s): PPO, POS, EPO, HMO

Blue Cross Blue Shield states outside of NY/NJ

Payor Type: Commercial
In Network Coverage Type(s): HMO, EPO PPO, POS

Blue Cross Health Plus

Payor Type: Medicaid/Managed Medicaid
In Network Coverage Type(s): HMO

Carrum Health

Payor Type: Commercial
In Network Coverage Type(s): Supplemental

Cigna

Payor Type: Commercial
In Network Coverage Type(s): PPO, POS, HMO

Connecticare

Payor Type: Commercial
In Network Coverage Type(s): POS, EPO, HMO

Emblem

Payor Type: Commercial
In Network Coverage Type(s): PPO, POS, EPO, HMO

Emblem Essential

Payor Type: Medicaid/Managed Medicaid
In Network Coverage Type(s): HMO

Emblem Medicare Advantage

Payor Type: Medicare/Medicare Advantage
In Network Coverage Type(s): PPO, HMO

Empire Blue Cross Medicare Advantage

Payor Type: Medicare/Medicare Advantage
In Network Coverage Type(s): PPO, HMO, DSN

Empire Essential

Payor Type: Medicaid/Managed Medicaid
In Network Coverage Type(s): HMO

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

Payor Type: Commercial
In Network Coverage Type(s): PPO

Fidelis

Payor Type: Commercial
In Network Coverage Type(s): HMO, EPO

Fidelis Managed Medicaid & HARP

Payor Type: Medicaid/Managed Medicaid
In Network Coverage Type(s): HMO

Fidelis Medicare Advantage

Payor Type: Medicare/Medicare Advantage
In Network Coverage Type(s): HMO

First Health

Payor Type: Medicare/Medicare Advantage
In Network Coverage Type(s): PPO

Healthfirst

Payor Type: Commercial
In Network Coverage Type(s): EPO, HMO, PPO, POS

Healthfirst Managed Medicaid

Payor Type: Medicaid/Managed Medicaid
In Network Coverage Type(s): HMO

Healthfirst Medicare Advantage

Payor Type: Medicare/Medicare Advantage
In Network Coverage Type(s): HMO, PPO

Healthsmart

Payor Type: Commercial
In Network Coverage Type(s): PPO EPO

Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield New Jersey (HMO)

Payor Type: Commercial
In Network Coverage Type(s): HMO

Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield New Jersey (PPO)

Payor Type: Commercial
In Network Coverage Type(s): PPO

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

Payor Type: Commercial
In Network Coverage Type(s): EPO

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

Payor Type: Commercial
In Network Coverage Type(s): EPO

Horizon Medicare Advantage

Payor Type: Medicare/Medicare Advantage
In Network Coverage Type(s): PPO, HMO

Husky CT Medicaid

Payor Type: Medicaid/Managed Medicaid
In Network Coverage Type(s): State Government

Magnacare

Payor Type: Commercial
In Network Coverage Type(s): PPO, POS, EPO

Straight NJ Medicaid

Payor Type: Medicaid/Managed Medicaid
In Network Coverage Type(s): State Government

Straight NY Medicaid

Payor Type: Medicaid/Managed Medicaid
In Network Coverage Type(s): State Government

Medicare Part A&B (traditional Medicare)

Payor Type: Medicare/Medicare Advantage
In Network Coverage Type(s): Federal Government

Multiplan/Beech Street/PHCS

Payor Type: Commercial
In Network Coverage Type(s): Supplemental

MVP

Payor Type: Commercial
In Network Coverage Type(s): PPO/OAP

Non-Participating Plans with Out of Network Benefits

Payor Type: Other
In Network Coverage Type(s): PPO, POS, EPO, HMO

NYC Medicare Advantage Plus for City Employees

Payor Type: Medicare/Medicare Advantage
In Network Coverage Type(s): TBD

Oscar

Payor Type: Commercial
In Network Coverage Type(s): HMO/EPO

Oxford

Payor Type: Commercial
In Network Coverage Type(s): PPO, EPO

World Trade Center Health Program (WTC)

Payor Type: Commercial
In Network Coverage Type(s): State Government

Qualcare

Payor Type: Commercial
In Network Coverage Type(s): PPO, POS, HMO

Tricare

Payor Type: Commercial
In Network Coverage Type(s): PPO, HMO

UMR

Payor Type: Commercial
In Network Coverage Type(s): PPO, POS

United Healthcare

Payor Type: Commercial
In Network Coverage Type(s): PPO, POS, HMO

Contact and Location

Locations map
Find a Convenient Location

Memorial Sloan Kettering has locations throughout New York City, Long Island, New Jersey, and Westchester. These locations offer many services, including screening, chemotherapy, and medical testing.

See all locations

About Me

Education

MD, Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons

Residencies

Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery – NewYork-Presbyterian at Columbia Medical Center/Weill Cornell Medical Center

Fellowships

Laryngology – Cleveland Clinic

Board Certifications

Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery

I am a surgeon who specializes in caring for people with early laryngeal cancer, and voice, airway, and swallowing disorders. Managing these conditions requires a multidisciplinary approach, so I work closely with speech-language pathologists, head and neck surgeons, interventional pulmonologists, gastroenterologists, thoracic surgeons, and radiation oncologists to provide the best care possible.

Read more

Treatments for head and neck cancer can cause complications and side effects that impact essential functions, like breathing, swallowing, and speaking. As a laryngologist, I can treat these problems and help improve my patients’ quality of life.

I am experienced in both minimally invasive endoscopic and open procedures, mostly performed with general anesthesia in the operating room. In addition, I have a special interest in diagnostic and therapeutic procedures that can be performed in the office with local anesthesia. This means that patients are awake for the procedure and go home after the office visit.

The concept of being awake for a surgical procedure may lead to questions and concerns for some patients. Before the procedure, I thoroughly explain what is involved and spend as much time as necessary to address any questions. My goal is to help patients and their families feel fully confident in their care plan. During the procedure itself, patients are made as comfortable as possible and I walk them through each step in real-time.

Awards and Honors

  • The Coakley Memorial Prize for Outstanding Achievement in Otolaryngology, Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons (2012)

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 Head and Neck 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

Silva Merea V, Lee AHY, Peron DL, Waldman EH, Grunstein E. CPAS: Surgicalapproach with combined sublabial bone resection and inferior turbinate reduction without stents. Laryngoscope. 2015; 125(6):1460-1464.

Cai Y, Merea VS, Lee AH, Su GH, CaruanaSM. Nasopharyngeal papillomas treated with CO2 laser and human papillomavirus vaccination. Laryngoscope. 2017; 127:2279–2281.

Silva Merea V, Husain S, SulicaL. Medialization laryngoplasty after injection augmentation. J Voice. 2018; 32:249-255.

Silva Merea V, Bryson PC. Office-based retrograde transtracheal application of mitomycin C. Am J Otolaryngol. 2018; 39:704-706.

Verma S, Yetzke M, Silva Merea V, Heye R, Clary M, Lott D, Bryson P. Are perioperative antibiotics necessary during direct microlaryngoscopy? Laryngoscope. 2018; 128:2838-2843.

Nelson R, Bryson P, Silva Merea V, Milstein C, Benninger M, Tierney W. Laryngeal botulinum toxin injection for vocal tremor: Utility of concurrent strap muscle injection. Laryngoscope. 2019; 129:1433-1437.

Lehman B, Procop GW, Silva Merea V, Harrington SM, Mawhorter S, Benninger MS. Chronic laryngitis caused by Mycobacterium kansasii in a traveler. Laryngoscope. 2019; 129:2534-2535.

Silva Merea V, Sadoughi B. Type I Posterior glottic stenosis: Natural history and in-office management. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol. 2019; 128:1073-1077.

Silva Merea V, Kacker A. Nasal Neoplasms. In: Kacker, A. RhinologyHandbook. 1st ed. New Delhi, India: Jaypee BrothersMedical Publishers (P) Ltd; 2015.

Silva Merea V, Kacker A. Electronic cigarettes. In: LalwaniAK, Pfister MHF, eds. Recent Advances in Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery:Volume 5. 1st ed. New Delhi, India: Jaypee BrothersMedical Publishers (P) Ltd; 2016.

Awad MI, Silva Merea V, Stachler RJ, Shibuya TY, Golub JS, Pasha R. General Otolaryngology. In: Pasha R, Golub JS, eds. Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Clinical ReferenceGuide. 5thed. San Diego,CA, USA: PluralPublishing Inc; 2017.

Silva Merea V, Pitman MJ. Anatomy and Physiology of the Upper Esophageal Sphincter. In: Chhetri D, Dewan K, eds. Dysphagia Evaluation and Management in Otolaryngology. 1st ed. St. Louis, MO, USA: Elsevier; 2018

Silva Merea V, Nelson RC, Benninger MS. Laryngeal Dysplasia and Early Glottic Cancer. In: Allen J, Nouraei SAR, Sandhu GS, eds. Laryngology: A Case-Based Approach. 1st ed. San Diego, CA, USA: Plural Publishing Inc; 2019.

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.

Valeria Silva Merea 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, 2021 through disclosure submission in spring 2022). 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].


View all disclosures