Experienced cardiothoracic surgeon joins Mercy
With the recent approval of Mercy Medical Center’s Certificate of Need (CON) application for an open heart surgery program, Mercy is now taking the next, natural step in the progression of its cardiac services program by announcing the addition of CC Lee, MD, FACS, as the medical director of Mercy’s Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Surgery Services.
Based on the growing need for cardiovascular surgery and to increase timely access to this life-saving care in Cedar Rapids, the State Health Facilities Council voted in November of last year to approve Mercy’s request for open heart surgery.
In his previous work, Dr. Lee initiated, developed and maintained a state-of-the-art, cardiovascular and thoracic surgery program. In addition to minimally invasive coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and valve therapies, Dr. Lee will bring new procedures to the community, including surgical atrial fibrillation, complex aortic pathologies and robotic thoracic surgery, among others.
“We are thrilled to welcome a surgeon with Dr. Lee’s background and experience,” said Dr. Timothy Quinn, Mercy’s chief clinical officer. “Dr. Lee is highly skilled and experienced, bringing with him a wealth of expertise and exceptional quality outcomes that will help us continue improving access to this important, life-saving care for the community. As the hospital that treats the most heart patients from Linn County, we are continually looking for ways to bring innovative care to our patients, and Dr. Lee is the perfect leader to help us continue toward that goal.”
“It’s exciting to be taking this next step for Mercy’s heart program by adding Dr. Lee to our cardiac team,” said Tim Charles, Mercy’s president and CEO. “It’s our steadfast belief, affirmed by the CON council, that adding open heart surgery to our program is the right decision for the community. It will result in better access to cardiac surgical care for patients and provide a full continuum of heart care at Mercy.”
Most recently, Dr. Lee was Lead Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgeon at the Eastern Division of Marshfield Clinic in Wausau, Wisconsin. He launched an open heart program in Weston, Wisconsin, immediately developing the program into one achieving stellar marks for quality measurements that far surpass national averages.
“I look forward to joining an exceptional cardiology team,” said Dr. Lee. “I’m hopeful my experience will help build on the foundation of the comprehensive and strong heart program already in place at Mercy.”
Dr. Lee received his medical degree from the Medical College of Virginia and completed multiple residencies at George Washington University Hospitals, Harvard Medical School/Brigham & Women’s Hospital, and University of Buffalo Hospitals, where he was the chief resident for cardiothoracic surgery.
His interests include coronary bypass surgery, heart valve surgery, atrial fibrillation surgery, open and endovascular aortic aneurysm surgery, peripheral vascular and endovascular surgery, lung and mediastinal surgery, and vein therapy.
Starting in June, Dr. Lee will begin seeing patients at the Mercy Cardiothoracic & Vascular Clinic on the fourth floor of the 8th & 8th Medical Park building next to Mercy.
