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    Francis Lee, MD, PhD, FAAOS, MBA

    Wayne O. Southwick Professor of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation
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    Additional Titles

    Professor, Biomedical Engineering

    Professor, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences

    with Tenure in Traditional Track

    Professor in Department of Pathology, Secondary Appointment

    Biological and Biomedical Science Program, YSM Postgraduate School

    Wayne O. Southwick Endowed Professor in Orthopedics and Rehabilitation

    Presidential Line Officer (Treasurer in 2023-Secretary in 2024-President-Elect in 2025-President in 2026), Executive Committee, Musculoskeletal Tumor Society

    Contact Info

    francis.lee@yale.edu

    Orthopaedics & Rehabilitation

    P.O. Box 208071

    New Haven, CT 06520-8071

    United States

    About

    Titles

    Wayne O. Southwick Professor of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation

    Professor, Biomedical Engineering; Professor, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences; with Tenure in Traditional Track; Professor in Department of Pathology, Secondary Appointment; Biological and Biomedical Science Program, YSM Postgraduate School; Wayne O. Southwick Endowed Professor in Orthopedics and Rehabilitation

    Positions outside Yale

    Presidential Line Officer (Treasurer in 2023-Secretary in 2024-President-Elect in 2025-President in 2026), Executive Committee, Musculoskeletal Tumor Society

    Biography

    1. Affiliation: Professor with Tenure, Unmodified Title; Wayne O. Southwick Professor; Orthopedic Surgeon and Scientist, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, School of Medicine, Yale University (2016-Present); Professor in Pathology, Secondary Appointment, Yale University (2017-Present); Professor in Biomedical Engineering, Secondary Appointment (2019-Present); Professor, Graduate School of Art and Science, Yale University (2019-Present); Professor with Tenure and Robert Carroll & Jane Chace Carroll Professor, Columbia University, New York (2012-2016); Orthopaedic Attending & Chief of Orthopaedic Oncology, New York Presbyterian Hospital, Columbia University Medical Center, New York (1999-2016)
    2. Clinical Practice Locations: Greenwich Hospital, Stamford Office, and Yale New Haven Hospital System
    3. Clinical Expertise: Sarcomas, Complex Musculoskeletal Reconstruction in Adults and Children; Musculoskeletal Bone and Soft Tissue Tumors (Benign Tumors and Cancers) & Complex Limb Reconstruction in Adults and Children; Pathological Fractures, Minimally Invasive Surgery for Metastatic Cancers to Bone (Breast, Prostate, Thyroid and Others); Failed Knee & Hip Implants; Osteomyelitis; Pediatric Orthopedics; Osteoid Osteoma, Enchondroma, Osteochondroma, Metabolic and Genetic Bone Diseases, Spine Tumors
    4. Research Interest: NIH R01-funded research programs in metastatic cancer-induced bone loss, fracture healing, regenerative orthopedics, and bone infection. Our lab is located in Tompkin 5 Orthopedic Research Laboratories.
    5. Administration: Vice Chair of Academic, Scientific, and Research Affairs (2016-2018; 2020-2023); Yale School of Medicine Admissions Committee; Yale University Saybrook College Advisor
    6. Education: American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery Written Question Task Force, Orthopaedic Research Society Mentorship Committee, New York Orthopaedic Pathology Review Course
    7. External Activities: NIH Skeletal Biology, Structure, and Regeneration (SBSR) Study Section Chair (2018-2020); Musculoskeletal Tumor Society Research Committee Chair (2017-2020); American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Research Development Committee Chair (2019-2022); Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation (OREF) Research Grant Committee Vice Chair (2019-2020); OREF Research Grant Chair & OREF Board of Directors; Board of Trustees (2020-2023)
    8. Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS) Presidential Line (2022-2023 Treasurer; 2023- 2024: Secretary; 2024-2025 President-Elect; 2025-2026 President); International Society of Limb Salvage (ISOLS) Board Member 2024-Present
    9. Research Programs and Major Research Grants
      • NIH/NIAMS R01 AR081656-A1 (2024-202: PI: Francis Y. Lee, M.D.): Rescuing Impaired Fracture Healing by Molecular Targeting
      • NIH/NIAMS R01 AR 073607 (2019-2024; PI: Francis Y. Lee, M.D.): PTH to rescue impaired fracture healing.
      • NIH/NIAMS R01 (2015-2023; PI: Francis Y. Lee, M.D.): Infection and bone destruction; Eradication of bone destruction
      • NIH/NCI R01 (2015-2022; PI: Francis Y. Lee, M.D.): Interactions between metastatic cancers and bone; Bone loss
      • NIH/NIAMS R01 (2009-2019; PI: Francis Y. Lee, M.D.): Inflammation and bone loss; Osteoclastogenesis
      • NIH/NIBIB R01 (Completed; 2007-2018; PI: Francis Y. Lee, M.D.): Biomaterials interface biology
      • Musculoskeletal Transplantation Foundation (2013-2018): Enhanced Allograft Incorporation with Growth Factors
      • NIAMS Mentored K08 Award (2017-2022; Mentor for PI Dr. David Koveacevic): Shoulder Inflammation
    10. Department of Defense (Completed; 2010-2015; PI: Francis Y. Lee, M.D.): 3D printed scaffolds for bone and cartilage defects
    11. External Scholarly Activities: Musculoskeletal Tumor Society Executive Committee member and Research Committee Chair (2017-2020); National Institute of Health Skeletal Biology, Structure and Regeneration(SBSR) Study Section Permanent Member (2015-2020) and Study Section Chair (2018-2020); Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS) Research Committee Chair (2018-2020); AAOS Tumor Program Committee (2016-2019); AAOS Research Development Committee Chair (2019-2022); Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation (OREF) Research Grant Committee Vice Chair (2018-2020); Orthopaedic Research Society/International Society for Fracture Repair (ISFR) Board Member (2019-2021); Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation (OREF) Research Grant Committee Chair (2020-Present); American Bone and Joint Surgery Member (2020-Present); AAOS Kappa Delta Award & OREF Clinical Research Award Selection Task Force Co-Chair
    12. Interactions with Undergraduate Students, YSM Medical Students, M.D.-Thesis Medical Students, M.D.-Ph.D. Candidate, Graduate Students, and Post-doctoral Fellows: Please send inquiries to francis.lee@yale.edu for research and clinical opportunities. Summer Research Fellow and One-Year YSM-sponsored Fellowships are provided.
    13. Mentoring and Supporting Junior Faculty, Fellows, and Residents: Assisting Career Development Awards or Grants. Academic Promotion Guidance; Primary Mentorship for NIAMS K08 Career Development Award for an Orthopaedic Surgeon at Yale Orthopaedics & Rehabilitation (2017-2022); Mentorship for OREF Residents & Faculty Award
    14. Yale University (2016 - Present): Yale University Saybrook College Fellow; Medical School Admissions Committee; Biological and Biomedical Science Program; Faculty, Yale university Art and Science Graduate School
    15. Columbia University, New York, and New York Presbyterian Hospital (1999 - 2016): Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery with Tenure (2012-2016), Robert Carroll and Jane Chace Carroll Professor (2014-2016), Associate Professor with Tenure (2009-2012), Associate Professor (2005-2009), Assistant Professor (1999-2005); Orthopedic Surgeon, New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York; Columbia University Senate Budget Review Committee (2011-2015)

    Appointments

    Other Departments & Organizations

    Education & Training

    MBA
    Yale School of Management, Honorary MBA (2019)
    Honorary Executive MBA
    Yale School of Management (2018)
    Non Degree Program
    Hospital for Sick Chidren, Pediatric Orthopaedics Fellowship (1999)
    Clinical Orthopedic Fellowship
    Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto (1999)
    Non Degree Program
    Massachusetts General Hospital & Boston Children’s Hospital, Orthopaedic Oncology Fellowship (1998)
    Clinical Orthopedic Fellowship
    Harvard Medical School (Mass General Hospital & Boston Children's Hospital) (1998)
    Non Degree Program
    Rutgers Medical School, Orthopaedic Surgery Residency (1997)
    Orthopaedic Residency
    Rutgers New Jersey Medical School (1997)
    Non Degree Program
    Mount Sinai Hospital, Bone Research Fellowship (1996)
    Orthopedic Research Fellowship
    Mount Sinai School of Medicine (1996)
    PhD
    Seoul National University College of Medicine, Orthopedic Basic Science (1992)
    Orthopaedic Residency
    Seoul National University Hospital (1992)
    Non Degree Program
    Seoul National University Hospital, Orthopaedic Surgery Residency (1992)
    MD
    Seoul National University College of Medicine, Doctor of Medicine (1986)
    Premed & Doctor of Medicine
    Seoul National University College of Medicine (1986)
    Undergraduate Student
    University of Maryland at U.S. 8th Army, Seoul, Korea (1982)

    Research

    Overview

    Clinical Research

    Bone Defect Reconstruction & Regeneration

    Metastatic Cancers to Bone, Pathological Fractures, Minimally Invasive Reconstruction of Pathological Fractures, AORIF (Ablation - Osteoplasty - Reinforcement - Internal Fixation)

    Translational Research

    Tissue Engineering, Bone Regeneration, Fracture Healing (Diabetes, Chronic Smoking, Infection), Bone Inflammation, Bone Infection, Cancer-Induced Bone Loss

    Please refer to NIH RePorter on Descriptions of NIH-funded Research Programs.

    My research group is committed to engaging undergraduate students, Yale medical students for Thesis, M.D.-Ph.D. Students, other graduate students, and visiting fellows for research opportunities and career advancement. For inquires, please contact francis.lee@yale.edu. I am an Orthopaedic Surgeon in active clinical practice and a Scientist fostering research experience for future clinician scholars and clinically relevant translational research scientists. I focus on high impact orthopaedic research that is directly relevant to pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of Orthopaedic disorders.

    Medical Research Interests

    Bone and Bones; Bone Diseases, Infectious; Bone Marrow; Fracture Fixation; Musculoskeletal Diseases; Oncology Service, Hospital; Orthopedics; Osteoarthritis; Osteoblasts; Osteoclasts; Stem Cells; Tissue Engineering

    Research at a Glance

    Yale Co-Authors

    Frequent collaborators of Francis Lee's published research.

    Publications

    Featured Publications

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    Academic Achievements & Community Involvement

    • activity

      Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation

      Professional OrganizationsChair
    • activity

      Association of Bone and Joint Surgeons

      Professional OrganizationsMember
    • activity

      Musculoskeletal Tumor Society

      Professional OrganizationsPresident-elect
    • activity

      ISOLS Board

      Advisory BoardsBoard Member
    • activity

      MSTS

      Professional OrganizationsPresident-elect
    See All Achievements

    Clinical Care

    Overview

    Francis Y. Lee, MD, PhD, is an orthopaedic surgeon with extensive expertise treating both adults and children. Committed to providing care of the highest quality, Dr. Lee works with a range of musculoskeletal problems, from fractures and limb deformities to musculoskeletal tumors and infections. He is an expert in complex musculoskeletal reconstruction.

    A professor in the Department of Orthopaedics & Rehabilitation at Yale School of Medicine, Dr. Lee has a secondary appointment in the Department of Pathology. He holds the rare distinction of being both an orthopaedic surgeon and a musculoskeletal scientist scholar working with National Institutes of Health (NIH) research programs. Dr. Lee conducts extensive research into such areas as fracture healing and bone metastasis. Dr. Lee has been a pioneer in developing minimally invasive Ablation-Osteoplasty-Reinforcement-Internal Fixation (AORIF) that is specially designed for patients with cancer that has spread to bone. This paradigm-shifting ambulatory procedure provides local cancer control, decreases pain, and improves ambulatory function.

    Dr. Lee says he especially enjoys interacting with patients and their families. He draws upon his research background to approach each case with a sense of discovery and innovation. “I will provide care for you and your family as if I were treating my own family members and friends,” he says.

    Dr. Lee also serves as a Presidential Line Officer (2022-2023: Treasurer; 2023-2034: Secretary; 2024-2025: President-Elect; 2025-2026: President) for the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society, a premier professional organization for musculoskeletal tumor surgeons.

    Clinical Specialties

    Musculoskeletal Oncology; Sarcoma; Pediatric Orthopedics; Orthopaedics & Rehabilitation

    Fact Sheets

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    Board Certifications

    • Orthopaedic Surgery

      Certification Organization
      AB of Orthopaedic Surgery
      Latest Certification Date
      2022
      Original Certification Date
      2001

    Yale Medicine News

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    Are You a Patient?

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    Get In Touch

    Contacts

    Email
    Appointment Number
    Mailing Address

    Orthopaedics & Rehabilitation

    P.O. Box 208071

    New Haven, CT 06520-8071

    United States

    Administrative Support

    Locations

    • Department of Orthopaedics & Rehabilitation

      Academic Office

      47 College Street

      New Haven, CT 06510

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    • Patient Care Locations

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