Dr. Karelsky is an Associate Professor of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery at the University of Rochester School of Medicine. Dr. Karelsky is a native of Russia who has lived in the United States since childhood. She completed her undergraduate education at the University of California at Berkeley and graduated with a BA in molecular and cell biology. Her seminal undergraduate research work on short interfering RNA was published in the journal Nature. She subsequently completed medical school at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, and graduated from the Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery residency program at the University of Rochester.

Professional Background

Dr. Karelsky treats patients with a broad range of ear, nose and throat problems and specializes in treating people with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) who do not benefit from treatment with positive airway pressure devices (CPAP). Patients undergo a procedure known as sleep endoscopy to help determine the cause of their OSA, and a thorough and personalized “CPAP-alternative” treatment approach is planned together with the patient after this procedure. Treatment may include surgery, referral for a dental device to help keep the airway open, or other interventions. Dr. Karelsky works with a multidisciplinary group at the University of Rochester which includes sleep medicine doctors, dentists and others as well as community partners to achieve the best possible treatment for people with sleep apnea. She offers a wide range of surgical procedures to treat OSA and is the only surgeon in Rochester performing Inspire® upper airway stimulation implant surgery. She is one of the most experienced Inspire® surgeons in the country, having performed over 100 implant operations. Dr. Karelsky often lectures about Inspire and other OSA treatments and has been featured in news and other television segments about this topic. She performs clinical research on the sleep endoscopy procedure and has published articles on this topic. Patients may volunteer for research studies during their care.

Dr. Karelsky is an active member of the American Academy of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, where she serves on committees and develops educational materials for ENT doctors around the country.

Dr. Karelsky practices primarily at Highland Hospital, where she is the Chief of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery. She is also the director of quality improvement for the Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery at UR Medicine, and is involved in multiple quality and patient satisfaction initiatives in this role.

Certified Specialties

Otolaryngology - American Board of Otolaryngology

Faculty Appointments

Associate Professor - Department of Otolaryngology (SMD)

Credentials

Residency & Fellowship

Internship, Surgery (General Surgery), University of Rochester Medical Center. 2006 - 2007

Residency, Otolaryngology, University of Rochester Medical Center. 2006 - 2011

Awards

Annual Research Award. 2009

Publications

Journal Articles

Sleep Endoscopy Patterns in Six Adults with Trisomy 21 and Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

Porterfield L.; Bacak B.; Karelsky, S.

Laryngoscope. 2021; .

Patterns of Obstruction on DISE in Adults with Obstructive Sleep Apnea Change With BMI

Wong SJ; Luitje ME; Karelsky S.

Laryngoscope. 2021; 131(1): 224-229.

Drug-induced sleep endoscopy findings in surgically-naïve obese vs non-obese children

Lookabaugh S; McKenna M; Karelsky S; Davis M; Didas A; Allen P; Faria J.

Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol. 2020; 138: 110289.

Manganese-dependent polioviruses caused by mutations within the viral polymerase

Crotty S.; Gohara D.; Gilligan DK.; Karelsky S.; Cameron CE.; Andino R.

Journal of Virology. 2003; 77(9): 5378-5388.

Short interfering RNA confers intracellular antiviral immunity in human cells

Gitlin L.; Karelsky S.; Andino R.

Nature. 2002; 418(6896): 430-434.

Ratings & Comments

At URMC, we believe that patients should be empowered to make the right decisions regarding their personal healthcare. To do so, transparency is critical. URMC partners with Press Ganey, to survey our patients about all aspects of their care experience. We are now putting this pertinent information at your fingertips by displaying star ratings for our providers along with anonymous patient comments on our website. This will help you make better-informed choices about how and with whom you seek care. Click here to learn more about the surveys used to generate this vital information. Learn more about our survey process.

Ratings

During this visit, did this provider spend enough time with you?

4.8

During this visit, did this provider show respect for what you had to say?

4.9

During this visit, did this provider give you easy to understand information about these health questions or concerns?

4.9

During this visit, did this provider listen carefully to you?

4.9

During this visit, did this provider explain things in a way that was easy to understand?

4.9

Patient Comments

5.0

Really a good experience.

Jan 17, 2024

3.8

No question about my confidence in the skill of my provider, but, I did not get a real friendly feeling. A tad too business-like. On the other hand if she was smiling I couldn't tell because she had a mask on. I like a kind of fun exchange. This was a little cold but that's probably more on me. The resident that saw me first was terrific in this regard. Very friendly and caring. She was in awe of the provider!

Jan 13, 2024

5.0

The provider listened to my questions and in all cases responded in a way that I could understand.I went to the provider for a quality of life issue, not a serious medical problem. Never the less the provider didn't brush me off and hurry me out of her office. She treated my issue with respect and dealt with it in a professional manner.

Dec 30, 2023

Excellent experienc!

Dec 12, 2023

Dr was very kind and seemed more consciousness online than an in person meeting

Dec 10, 2023

Dr. Karelsky has been great so far !!!!

Nov 12, 2023

5.0

Good explanations of procedures, give extra care to make sure I understand how to use prescribed medication and what over the counter meds to help as well.

Nov 05, 2023

5.0

This doctor is excellent!

Sep 24, 2023

5.0

Very thorough, kind and concerned.

Aug 04, 2023

5.0

I have recommended Dr Karelsky to others

Aug 03, 2023

5.0

Provider showed excellent analysis of the reason for visiting. Her observations and experience with sleep apnea conditions were extremely helpful, and pleasantly surprising. She is open to further consultation if better data is forthcoming, and completely at my choice.

Jul 07, 2023

5.0

Dt. Karelsky and Dr. Wey (sp?) were very informative and great in their explanations. They gave me pros and cons and I was really in control of my decisions.

May 13, 2023

5.0

Dr. Karelsky is AWESOME.

Apr 16, 2023

5.0

The doctor was great, she talked to me in a way that I could understand and had great explanations for my questions. We were not able to diagnose the Issue for what I was experiencing, but she made me feel hopeful that we'd get to the bottom off it together.

Feb 27, 2023

5.0

Very good experience. [...]

Jan 25, 2023

Great!!

Dec 21, 2022

5.0

Dr. Karelsky and I together/collegial discussed the next options and jointly arrived at a decision of what to do next.

Dec 05, 2022

3.8

She is a good doctor. I wish that she seemed like she cares more for her patients. It is a very distant vibe.

Nov 21, 2022

3.0

Per usual, the explanations are dumbed down, which is to make it easy to understand but I am a biomedical engineer with expertise in neuroscience and immunology. I would prefer to be talked to as such.

Oct 28, 2022

5.0

Dr K has always been very thorough, caring, knowledgeable & performing procedures par excellance!

Oct 09, 2022

5.0

The provider here is absolutely top notch. She will address any concern with effective treatment, and discuss the options, risks and benefits available for said treatments. Her and the staff at this facility are a shining example of what healthcare should be, when functioning at its best. She explains things clearly and has provided serious relief to many issues I've had for a long time.

Sep 28, 2022

5.0

Discussed potential problem with my throat. Initiated contact for me to have tests done on my throat

Sep 22, 2022

Very professional

Sep 22, 2022

5.0

Dr. Karelsky is a wonderful doctor and there is no one else I would go to with this particular issue. Best!!!!!

Jul 30, 2022

5.0

Dr. Karelsky was patient, thorough and informative.

Jul 14, 2022

5.0

No concerns

Jun 30, 2022

3.8

She is good, a little cold/stand offish. She seems to do her job well, but she lacks in the department of the caring aspect. For me and my health of my children, that really matters.

May 25, 2022

5.0

I appreciated Dr. Karelsky's calm, professional manner. She made me feel confident in her care.

Mar 31, 2022

5.0

Recommended

Mar 24, 2022

5.0

Dr Karelsky is superb

Mar 19, 2022

4.6

It's was good

Feb 22, 2022

5.0

Dr. Karelsky, in addition to showing deep concern for my condition, took it upon herself to contact Epic and get my pronouns changed after she noticed them and asked me if they were correct.

Feb 12, 2022