image: Jeffrey E. Lee, M.D.
Credit: The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
HOUSTON ― The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center today announced that Jeffrey E. Lee, M.D., an internationally regarded leader in the field of oncology, has been appointed chief medical executive (CME) effective April 1.
Prior to his appointment, Lee served as CME ad interim, demonstrating strength as a leader committed to advancing the institution’s efforts in research, patient care, prevention and education. Assuming the role of CME is the culmination of Lee’s 34-year tenure at the institution, where he has made substantial contributions in the field of oncology and served in multiple leadership roles.
After joining MD Anderson in 1991 as a fellow in surgical oncology, Lee became a member of the faculty and rose through the academic ranks. Since 2010, he has held the endowed Irving and Nadine Mansfield and Robert David Levitt Cancer Research Chair.
“Dr. Lee has demonstrated tremendous capability and talent as a trusted and respected leader,” said Peter WT Pisters, M.D., president of MD Anderson. “His work as interim chief medical executive and substantial contributions to MD Anderson are a testament to his commitment to excellence, and I am confident in his ability to help us navigate the opportunities before us as we work to achieve our mission to end cancer.”
In addition to his extensive clinical expertise, Lee has been recognized for his leadership abilities through multiple roles within Surgical Oncology, the Division of Surgery and the institution, including his appointment as chair of Surgical Oncology from 2010 to 2021. Notably, in 2019, he was named vice president for Cancer Network’s Medical and Academic Affairs. In that role, Lee successfully championed the development of MD Anderson’s Cancer Network’s quality platform, making significant contributions to the redesign of the network strategy, the creation of its academic infrastructure and the activation of two large national partners. He also was selected as a 2019 MD Anderson Excellence in LEADership Awards honoree in recognition of his leadership excellence.
"The opportunity to lead our incredibly talented team of clinicians, scientists and staff is a distinct honor,” Lee said. "Inspired by the needs of our patients and working under our shared mission, I’m committed to guiding our collective efforts to deliver powerful impact for our patients.”
On Sept. 1, 2022, Lee was named vice president for Clinical Operations Strategy Execution and Preparedness/deputy chief operating officer (COO). Responsibilities in this role included serving as a member of the COO Leadership Team, as a faculty lead for MD Anderson’s service line initiative, and co-lead of the institution’s upstream capacity management project.
One year later, he was appointed chief cancer network officer to oversee MD Anderson’s ongoing development of its community of experts united in our mission, including seven national partner health systems; international Ministries of Health; international agencies; and non-government organizations.
In addition to his work at MD Anderson, Lee has held multiple leadership roles and is an active member in over 30 international, national and local professional societies.
Lee earned his M.D. from Stanford University School of Medicine, where he also completed his internship and residency in surgery and a research fellowship in tumor immunology. His previous leadership roles at MD Anderson include his tenure as medical director of the Ben Love/El Paso Corporation Melanoma and Skin Center.
Over the course of Lee’s career, his work has resulted in over 600 peer-reviewed publications. He has had a three-decade peer-review funded collaborative laboratory research program focused on melanoma genetics, melanoma immune and inflammatory biomarkers, and the development of novel antibody-based therapeutics for melanoma and other cancers.
“Remarkably talented as a clinical leader and faculty member, Dr. Lee combines expertise, knowledge of the institution and a passion for our mission, making him an invaluable asset at MD Anderson,” said Stephen G. Swisher, M.D., division head of Surgery at MD Anderson. “He’s an outstanding addition to our executive leadership team whose experience working closely with division heads ensures faculty perspectives are shared and prioritized in institutional decision-making.”