When patients meet Katherine D. Kazen, MD, they quickly discover a surgeon who combines advanced surgical training with a deeply personal approach to patient care. From treating patients in rural Zambia to serving families here in East Tennessee, Dr. Kazen brings compassion, confidence, and a commitment to patient advocacy into every interaction.
Now seeing patients at Premier Surgical Associates’ Johnson City, TN location, Premier Lawson Group, Dr. Kazen recently sat down with us to talk about her surgical background, global health experience, and what patients can expect when they meet her.
Get to Know Dr. Katherine D. Kazen
Tell us about yourself and your surgical practice.
“I’m Dr. Kazen, a general surgeon with Premier Surgical Lawson Group in Johnson City. I have a broad-based practice and treat disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, breast disease, thyroid and endocrine conditions, hernias, bowel disease, and skin and soft tissue conditions.”
Dr. Kazen performs a wide range of procedures, including gallbladder removal, hernia repair, appendectomy, colorectal surgery, foregut surgery, and thyroid surgery. She also offers minimally invasive laparoscopic and robotic-assisted surgery for many conditions.
Do you have a special area of interest within surgery?
“One of my biggest interests is minimally invasive surgery. I trained on the Da Vinci robotic system and really enjoy using advanced techniques that can help patients recover faster.”
At the same time, Dr. Kazen values maintaining a broad surgical skill set — something shaped heavily by her global surgery experience.
“I’ve always had a passion for global health and caring for rural and underserved populations, so it’s important to me to keep my practice broad enough to handle many different types of surgical problems.”
Dr. Kazen’s Education, Training & Certifications
Dr. Kazen’s educational and surgical training reflect both academic excellence and a passion for serving diverse patient populations. She earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Texas at Austin before attending the University of Texas Health Science Center, where she received her Doctor of Medicine degree.
She completed her General Surgery Residency at East Tennessee State University, training extensively in a broad range of surgical procedures and minimally invasive techniques. Following residency, Dr. Kazen pursued a Global Surgery Fellowship through ETSU, spending more than a year serving as a staff surgeon in Zambia.
In addition to her surgical training, Dr. Kazen earned a Master of Public Health degree with a focus on health policy and leadership. She is board-certified in General Surgery and is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. Her combination of surgical expertise, public health training, and international experience allows her to bring a thoughtful, patient-centered perspective to every aspect of care.
Your background in global surgery is incredibly unique. Can you tell us about your experience in Zambia?
Dr. Kazen served as a staff surgeon in Zambi
“I worked primarily as a staff surgeon in a rural district hospital, where I was often the only surgeon for a very large area,” she explained. “I also spent time at the tertiary referral center in Lusaka doing public health research and outreach. I had the opportunity to help develop national policies and educational materials through the Ministry of Health in Zambia, which was incredibly meaningful work.”
Her work involved traveling throughout the country, supporting surgical outreach programs, and helping improve access to surgical care in underserved communities.
How did your experience in Zambia shape your approach to patient care?
Dr. Kazen says her time overseas strengthened both her confidence as a surgeon and her perspective as a physician.
“It taught me how to handle whatever comes through the door and to trust my training,” she said. “Working with limited resources also forced me to be creative and think critically when solving surgical problems.”
More importantly, she says the experience reinforced the importance of advocacy and patient-centered care.
“It made me even more appreciative of what we have here and reminded me how important it is to fight for patients to receive the care they deserve.”
What is your philosophy of patient care?
“I’m a huge advocate for patient education,” she said. “I want patients to fully understand their diagnosis, their treatment options, and what’s happening every step of the way.”
She believes patients should always feel involved in their care decisions and supported throughout the process.
“My goal is always to do what’s best for the patient — whether that’s with me or helping them get connected to the right resources elsewhere.”
Dr. Kazen also emphasizes accessibility and communication with her patients.
“I want my patients to know they can always reach out with questions or concerns. I never want anyone to feel like they’re navigating things alone.”
What made you choose Premier Surgical Associates?
Dr. Kazen says the decision to join Premier Surgical Associates was an easy one.
“I trained under Premier general surgeons Dr. Kenneth Cutshall and Dr. John (Trey) Robertson during residency and saw firsthand the level of respect the surgeons here have earned from their patients and the community,” she said. “When they offered me a position, I didn’t even look anywhere else.”
She credits the mentorship, surgical excellence, and strong patient relationships within the practice as major reasons she chose to stay in the Tri-Cities region.
“It’s an amazing group, and I’m incredibly thankful to be part of it.”
What do you enjoy outside of medicine?
When she’s not in the operating room, Dr. Kazen enjoys spending time outdoors, hiking, biking, and making music.
“I play guitar and write songs,” she shared. “I’ve actually participated in Tennessee Songwriters Week several times and played locally around Johnson City and Jonesborough.”
She also enjoys spending time with her three cats and family dog Olive, and taking advantage of the outdoor beauty of East Tennessee.
Welcoming Dr. Katherine D. Kazen to Johnson City
Dr. Kazen brings an exceptional combination of advanced surgical training, global experience, and compassionate patient care to the Tri-Cities community. Whether treating common surgical conditions or managing complex cases, her goal remains the same: helping patients feel informed, supported, and confident in their care.
“I’m really blessed to be back in the Tri-Cities,” she said. “I love the patients here, and I’m excited to be part of this practice.”
To learn more about Dr. Kazen or schedule an appointment at Premier Surgical Lawson Group in Johnson City, TN or call (423) 975-5650.