About Us>Medical Advisory Board > Clara Nan-hi Lee, MD, MPP

Clara Nan-hi Lee, MD, MPP

Professor, Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill

Clara Lee

Highlights

  • LBBC Medical Advisory Board member since 2023
  • Clinical focus on breast reconstruction and microvascular surgery
  • Research focus on breast cancer surgery decision making
  • Expert on patient-reported outcomes for breast reconstruction

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Before joining the faculty at UNC, she served as an associate professor of plastic and reconstructive surgery at The Ohio State University College of Medicine. Additionally, she held a courtesy appointment as an associate professor of health services management and policy in Ohio State’s College of Public Health.

Dr. Lee's clinical practice centers on breast reconstruction and microvascular surgery. Her research is dedicated to understanding and enhancing the decision-making process of individuals facing cancer surgery. She possesses expertise in patient-reported outcomes for breast reconstruction and the decision-making dynamics related to breast cancer treatments.

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Experience & accolades

Expertise

  • Reconstructive surgery
  • Microvascular surgery
  • Patient-reported outcomes of breast reconstruction

Education

  • Yale University College of Medicine
    • Doctor of medicine
  • Harvard University Kennedy School of Government
    • Master of public policy
  • Harvard College
    • Bachelor of arts
  • University of California San Francisco
    • Plastic and reconstructive surgery residency
  • New York Hospital – Weill Cornell Medical College
    • General surgery residency

Experience

  • University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill School of Medicine (2023-Present)
    • Professor, Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
  • The Ohio State University College of Medicine (2016-2023)
    • Professor, Division of Microsurgery and Oncologic Reconstruction
    • Vice Chair for Research, Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
    • Chair, Promotion and Tenure Committee, Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
    • Associate Professor, Division of Microsurgery and Oncologic Reconstruction
    • Associate Professor by courtesy, Division of Health Services Management and Policy
    • Director of Women’s Academic Advancement
    • Core Faculty Member, Center for Surgery Health Assessment Research and Policy
  • University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill (2004-2016)
    • Adjunct Associate Professor, Department of Health Policy and Management
    • Associate Professor, Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
    • Research Fellow, Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research
    • Director of Research, Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
    • Junior Research Fellow, Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research
    • Assistant Professor, Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
  • Mount Sinai School of Medicine (1999-2000)
    • Research fellow
  • S. Department of Health and Human Services (1991-1992)
    • Policy analyst
  • Harvard University Kennedy School of Government (1990-1991)
    • Research and training assistant
  • S. Department of Health and Human Services (1990)
    • Policy analyst

Awards & distinctions

  • Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Resident Teaching Award, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, 2022
  • Engagement Award, The Ohio State University College of Medicine Women in Medicine and Science Committee, 2022
  • Executive Leadership in Academic Medicine (ELAM) Fellow, 2021-2022
  • Emerging Leadership Award for an Organization, Association of American Medical Colleges Group on Women in Medicine and Science (received as Director of Women’s Academic Advancement in the College of Medicine at The Ohio State University), 2021
  • Appointment to the Drake Institute for Teaching and Learning, The Ohio State University, 2020
  • Distinguished Diversity Enhancement Award, The Ohio State University (received as part of the Faculty Experience Group), 2019
  • Inaugural recipient of the Mid-career Award, Society of University Surgeons (see also under Grants), 2019
  • Physician of the Month, James OSU Comprehensive Cancer Center, 2018
  • Visiting Professorship, Plastic Surgery Foundation (bestowed on five to ten surgeons per year, to educate plastic surgeons around the country), 2016-2017
  • Membership in the Society of University Surgeons (national honor society by nomination and election only), 2016
  • Membership in the American Association of Plastic Surgeons (national honor society by nomination and election only), 2013
  • Top Ten Paper Presentation of 2010 (Co-author), American Society of Plastic Surgeons, 2010
  • Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society, Yale University, 1996
  • American Medical Women’s Association Glasgow Achievement Citation, Yale University, 1996
  • Staff Recognition Award, Office of Legislation and Policy, United States Health Care Financing Administration, 1992

Professional memberships & board positions

  • Medical Advisory Board, Living Beyond Breast Cancer
  • American Board of Plastic Surgery, 2014-Present
    • Director of the board
    • Oral board senior examiner
    • Advisory council member
    • Nominating committee
    • Advisory council for plastic and maxillofacial surgery
    • Oral board guest examiner
  • Society of University Surgeons, 2019-Present
    • Executive council
    • Representative to the Association of American Medical College’s Council of Faculty and Academic Societies
    • Nominating committee
  • American College of Surgeons, 2019-2021
    • Advisory council for plastic and maxillofacial surgery
    • Representative to the advisory council pillar on quality
  • American Society of Plastic Surgeons, 2011-2019
    • Chair, clinical trials network committee
    • Co-chair, clinical trials network committee
    • Chair, clinical research study section
    • Co-chair, clinical research study section
  • Association for Academic Surgery, 2014-2018
    • Chair, subspecialty committee
    • Executive council
  • Surgical Outcomes Club, 2011-2018
    • Board of directors
    • Treasurer

Publications

  • Padamsee TJ, Phommasathit C, Swinehart-Hord P, et al. Patient-driven decisions and perceptions of the 'safest possible choice': insights from patient-provider conversations about how some breast cancer patients choose contralateral prophylactic mastectomy. Psychol Health. 2023.
  • Padamsee TJ, Stover DG, Tarver WL, et al. Turning the Page on Breast Cancer in Ohio: Lessons learned from implementing a multilevel intervention to reduce breast cancer mortality among Black women. Cancer. 2023.
  • Asghari A, O’Connor MJ, Attalla P, et al. Game Changers: Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Innovations of the Last 100 Years. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Global Open. 2023.
  • Zaramo TZ, Zelko I, Ragland D, et al. Can we do better at measuring patient-reported outcomes after cranioplasty? A systematic review. Neurosurgery Reviews. 2023.
  • Senter L, Veney D, Surplus T, et al. Patient Understanding of Tumor Genomic Testing: A Quality Improvement Effort. JCO Oncol Pract. 2023.