IMPORTANT: Beginning at 8:00 AM on September 3, Temple University Hospital – Main Campus (Broad and Ontario Streets) will no longer provide Labor and Delivery services. All childbirth services will be relocated to our new hospital location.

800-TEMPLE-MED Schedule Appointment
SEARCH TEMPLE HEALTH
Back To Doctor Search

Karen L. Houck, MD, FACOG

Karen L. Houck
Request Appointment

  • Professor, Clinical Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University
  • Director, Gynecologic Oncology, Temple University Hospital
  • Director, Robotic Surgery Training, Temple University Hospital

Specialties

Gynecologic Oncology

Distinctions
2025 Top Doctors by Philadelphia magazine LGBTQ Inclusive Care Provider at Temple Health
4.9
226 Patient Satisfaction Ratings
About Me
Ratings & Reviews
Publications
About Me
Clinical Interests
  • Minimally invasive and robotic surgery
  • Oncofertility
  • Fertility sparing cancer care
  • Cervical dysplasia
  • Gynecologic oncology
  • Abnormal pap smears
  • Endometrial cancer
  • Vulvar cancer
  • Gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN)
Research Interests
  • Clinical trials on gynecologic malignancies
  • Evaluation and management of abnormal pap smears
  • Cervical cancer and its precursors
Education
  • MD, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY
Training
  • Fellowship, Gynecologic Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
  • Residency, Obstetrics and Gynecology, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY
Additional Training
  • Dr. Houck has completed Safe Zone training to learn about LGBTQ identities, gender and sexuality, and examine prejudice, assumptions, and privilege. She welcomes patients from the LGBTQ community in her practice. 
Board Certifications
  • American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology
  • American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology - Gynecologic Oncology
Memberships
  • American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
  • American Medical Association
  • Society of Gynecologic Oncologists
Awards and Honors
  • Best Doctors in America®, Obstetrics & Gynecology, 2019-2020
  • Top Doctors, Gynecologic Oncology, Philadelphia magazine, 2018-2025
  • Top Doctor, Castle Connolly, 2015 
  • Jersey Choice Top Doctor, New Jersey Monthly, 2013-2014
  • Excellence in Teaching Award, Association of Professors of Gynecology and Obstetrics, 2004
  • Vincent J. Capraro, MD Award in Gynecology
  • Felix Rutledge Fellowship in Gynecology Oncology
Ratings & Reviews

The following ratings and reviews are based on verified feedback collected from independently administered patient experience surveys. The ratings and comments submitted by patients reflect their own views and opinions. Patient identities are withheld to ensure confidentiality and privacy. Learn more about our Patient Experience Ratings.

Ratings Breakdown

Overall Care
4.9
Explained Things Clearly
4.9
Showed Courtesy & Respect
4.9
Discussed Treatment Options
4.9
Recommend Provider
4.9

Patient Comments

4.9 out of 5 (226 ratings, 44 comments)
02/17/2025

Dr. Houck is the best Doctor and her team is the best one

02/12/2025

Dr. Houck is absolutely wonderful and I feel so fortunate to have her on my team! She's not only an extremely skilled doctor, she's a very caring human being! She consistently takes time to listen to, and address my anxieties/concerns. Many thanks to both her and her nurse, [...]!

01/13/2025

I am very confident I am being well cared for by Dr. Houck.

12/23/2024

Dr. Houck is one of the most helpful and kindest doctors I have ever seen.

12/02/2024

Dr. Houck has been a godsend to me! She has been my champion, cheerleader and advocate as I navigated the complexity of a cancer diagnosis and treatment. I honestly don't know what I would have done without her.

Offices

Office Locations

Temple OB/GYN

3401 N. Broad St.

Outpatient Building, 7th Floor (Zone B)

Philadelphia, PA 19140

Phone: 800-836-7536

Fox Chase Cancer Center at Temple University Hospital - Main Campus

3401 N. Broad Street

Ambulatory Care Center, 4th Floor

Philadelphia, PA 19140

Phone: 800-836-7536

Temple Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine

3401 N. Broad St.

Parkinson Pavilion, 3rd Floor (Zone C)

Philadelphia, PA 19140

Phone: 800-836-7536

Temple Gynecologic Oncology at Chestnut Hill

8815 Germantown Avenue

Suite 46

Philadelphia, PA 19118

Phone: 800-836-7536

Temple Gynecologic Oncology at Holy Redeemer

1650 Huntingdon Pike

Medical Office Building

Meadowbrook, PA 19046

Phone: 800-836-7536

Publications
Publications

Hernandez E and Houck KL In: Bieber E et al: Clinical Gynecology. Endometrial Cancer. Chapter 45, pp 665-675. 2006 ed.

Houck K, contributor In: Ferri F (ed): Ferri's Clinical Advisor. Endometrial Cancer pp171 Mosby Yearbook, Inc. 2000 ed.

Houck K, contributor In: Ferri F (ed): Ferri's Clinical Advisor. Ovarian Cancer pp. 307 Mosby Yearbook, Inc. 2000 ed.

Houck K, contributor In: Ferri F (ed): Ferri’s Clinical Advisor. Endometrial Cancer pp 169. Mosby Yearbook, Inc., 1999 ed.

Houck K, contributor In: Ferri F (ed): Ferri’s Clinical Advisor. Ovarian Cancer pp 340. Mosby Yearbook, Inc. 1999 ed.

Houck K, Marchetti D. Pap Smears and Colposcopy in Pietrantoni M, and Dannakas G, (eds): A Practical Approach to Obstetrics and Gynecology. Mosby Yearbook, Inc. 1997.

Marchetti D. Houck K. Pap Smears and Colposcopy in Pietrantoni M, and Dannakas G, (eds): A Practical Approach to Obstetrics and Gynecology. Mosby Yearbook, Inc. 1997.