Leonard Y. Lee, MD

James W. Mackenzie, M.D. Professor and Chair, Department of Surgery
Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School

Chief, Surgical Services
Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital

An alumnus of Robert Wood Johnson Medical School’s Camden-based campus, Leonard Y. Lee, MD, completed residency training at St. Vincent’s Hospital and Medical Center in New York City, where he served as chief resident. He also completed a research fellowship at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Medical College of Cornell University and was a cardiothoracic clinical fellow at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and Weill Cornell.

Dr. Lee was recruited to Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in 2012 as an associate professor of surgery and chief of the medical school’s Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery. He subsequently was named interim chair of the Department of Surgery from April 2014 through January 2018, when he was named chair. Over a period of 12 years, cardiac surgery volume has enjoyed a nearly 80% growth in volume to 1,700 from 950 cases.

Dr. Lee is nationally recognized for his leadership and use of innovative ways of treating valvular heart disease with minimally invasive techniques (one of a handful across the country). A great cohesiveness has been achieved to include any and all individuals who participate in the care of the patients, providing a true sense of team-driven health care.

Although Dr. Lee fulfills the role of James W. Mackenzie, M.D., Endowed Chair in Surgery, and professor and chair for the Department of Surgery, with responsibility of more than 80 faculty and 120 staff members across 10 divisions, he has maintained productivity in terms of education, research, and clinical responsibilities despite growing administrative demands. Research efforts have continued, both clinical and basic, with more than 200 published peer-reviewed articles and an NIH grant to fund the basic science research.

As a mentor and educator, he has received high reviews from students and residents alike, despite growing administrative responsibilities. Finally, Dr. Lee remains one of the most productive physicians in the school and hospital, personally performing in excess of 350 heart surgeries per year, and has consistently been recognized for clinical excellence.

A member of more than a dozen industry associations, including leadership positions on their respective boards, Dr. Lee currently serves as president of the Eastern States Region of the American Heart Association. He is also a member of the Leadership Council for the Marfan’s Foundation, the Extended Executive Committee for Rutgers R-StARR program, and the Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Foundation Board.