Contact
Sveta A. Karelsky, M.D.
View Contact & SchedulingLocations
Westfall Park Medical Center
2337 South Clinton Avenue, Building 4
Rochester, NY 14618
Highland Professional Office Building
990 South Avenue, Suite 207
Rochester, NY 14620
About Me
Certified Specialties
Otolaryngology, Head And Neck Surgery - American Board of Otolaryngology
Faculty Appointments
Associate Professor - Department of Otolaryngology (SMD)
Associate Professor - Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine (SMD) - Joint
Credentials
Residency & Fellowship
Internship, Surgery (General Surgery), University of Rochester Medical Center. 2006 - 2007
Residency, Otolaryngology, University of Rochester Medical Center. 2006 - 2011
Education
MD | Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. 2006
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 University of Rochester Medicine, we believe that patients should be empowered to make the right decisions regarding their personal healthcare. To do so, transparency is critical. URochester Medicine 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
Care provider's discussion of any proposed treatment (options, risks, benefits, etc.)
Likelihood of recommending this care provider to others
Explanations the care provider gave you about your problem or condition
Care provider's efforts to include you in decisions about your care
Concern the care provider showed for your questions or worries
Patient Comments
Dr Karelsky explained the results of my endoscopy in terms I could understand!
Feb 22, 2026
She is awesome.
Feb 05, 2026
Dr. Karelsky was great in every way. I felt very comfortable going into the surgery
Jan 30, 2026
I have a lot of respect for the doctor. Not only was she professional and knowledgeable she took the time to listen and make sure that all my questions were answered
Jan 10, 2026
The Dr [...] laid out a simple plan to follow covering basic first steps I can take at home with contingencies if my situation progressed for better or worse.
Jan 03, 2026
She was very rude and I will be looking for another ENT. No bedside manner, rolled her eyes at me and completely made me feel like I was a nuisance. Very disappointed [...].
Jan 02, 2026
Dr. Karlesky was very thorough and explained every step of her examination in detail prior to performing each. She exhibits very calm nature
Dec 20, 2025
Kind knowledgeable specialist recommended non nvasive therapy first instead of what NP at primary care office suggested doing. Much appreciated her overriding the original plan.
Dec 19, 2025
She is awesome. Very responsive and honest.
Nov 09, 2025
Didn't get a warm feeling from Dr. First time seeing her.
Nov 03, 2025
Clearly knows her stuff and stats
Oct 24, 2025
Very pleased with my doctor's approach and thorough examination and explanation.
Sep 30, 2025
One of the best visits I have had in years
Sep 30, 2025
Dr. Karelsky was amazing. Very patient and gave me time when I had pain.
Aug 28, 2025
Dr. Karelsky measured up to the highest standards of excellence, thorough, considerate, caring and supportive.
Aug 14, 2025
She was very knowledgeable and competent
Aug 02, 2025
Dr. Karelsky is awesome !!! She is always very caring and willing to listen.
Jul 27, 2025
Provider was very clear and factual. Ptovided an excellent explaination of the entire process.
Jul 17, 2025
The doctor that I saw was very thorough and asked me multiple times if I had any questions or wanted additional information about my case. I was very satisfied with her concern that I was fully informed and aware of my options. A visit that I felt very pleased with both my information and the concern from the specialist that I was fully informed.
Jul 16, 2025
All were very kind and informative.were professional. Answered all my questions they new I was nervous about the procedure and did a great job of calming me.
Jul 05, 2025
Dr. Is very serious. Never smiles or acts friendly. Cold.
May 17, 2025
Very good at explaining a path forward to help with my concerns.
May 14, 2025
Doctor was very attentive. She explained me her reasoning. Went all the way to collect more information.
May 08, 2025
Good
Apr 13, 2025
Provider listened to my issues and provided me with clear answers.
Mar 30, 2025
I received excellent service. The doctor went over everything in detail and was sure to ask if I had any questions before ending the visit
Mar 05, 2025
All was excellent
Feb 28, 2025
The doctor never smiled and was very serious and cold. I will give her another chance. Maybe she was having a bad day. It made me uncomfortable.
Feb 20, 2025
It was an excellent experience with outstanding results.
Jan 20, 2025
I received excellent service. The doctor explained everything to me in great detail and asked if I had additional questions
Jan 19, 2025
Dr Karelsky is outstanding
Dec 07, 2024
Doctor was cold and dismissive
Nov 01, 2024
Both thumbs up on this one. Excellent advice, and so far, the treatment has been very effective.
Oct 25, 2024
No bad
Oct 16, 2024
Dr. Karelsky is an exemplary and outstanding physician
Oct 11, 2024
The MD is reserved. I like a more engagement.
Aug 24, 2024
Excellent care from Dr Karelsky
Aug 23, 2024
The best Dr. S. Karelsky.
Jul 28, 2024
I have already suggested that others seek her out for care and treatment.
Jul 23, 2024
[...] loves this provider and has been seeing her since he was 13. He is 27 now
Jun 09, 2024
My Dr is so awesome she listens to me and explains everything to me
May 10, 2024
Had record of my prior appointments and results. Referred to them and discussed how to proceed if results continue
Mar 29, 2024
I found this provider to be an exceptional provider: Pleasant, thorough, detailed, addressing my concerns.
Mar 20, 2024
Really a good experience.
Jan 17, 2024
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
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
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
This doctor is excellent!
Sep 24, 2023
Very thorough, kind and concerned.
Aug 04, 2023
I have recommended Dr Karelsky to others
Aug 03, 2023
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
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
Dr. Karelsky is AWESOME.
Apr 16, 2023