Dr. Leonard Y. Lee, chief of surgical services at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, was recently appointed president of the board of directors for the Eastern States region of the American Heart Association.
Lee’s appointment follows his position as president-elect of the Eastern States region board of directors from July 1, 2022, to June 30. In his new role, Lee will continue to advance the association’s mission to build healthy communities free of cardiovascular disease and stroke, including fundraising priorities such as the 2024 Impact Goal.
“I am looking forward to serving as president of the Eastern States region board of directors for the next two years and support the lifesaving work of the American Heart Association,” Lee said. “Through research, medical advancements, public education, CPR training and so much more, we can continue the progress in making sure everyone has the opportunity for a full and healthy life.”
Lee has been a member of the Eastern States region board of directors since 2019 and has also served as a member of the Northern New Jersey Division of the American Heart Association board of directors. In 2018, he was a recipient of the American Heart Association’s Dr. Harvey E. Nussbaum Distinguished Service Award.
“This appointment is a true reflection of Dr. Lee’s hard work and dedication towards curing cardiovascular disease in our communities,” Alan Lee, president, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, said. “Dr. Lee is passionate about excellence in his surgical service in order to deliver the best outcomes to our patients. I know he’ll do great work in this role as the Eastern State board of directors president for the American Heart Association and apply that passion to community programming and fundraising initiatives that raise health and change lives.”
Lee is an experienced cardiac valve surgeon specializing in minimally invasive aortic valve repair and complex mitral valve repair, thoracic aortic aneurysm repair including stent grafting, and percutaneous aortic valve replacement. He oversees surgical services at RWJUH and has played a critical role in the expansion of minimally invasive cardiac surgery and services on the medical leadership team for the ongoing state-of-the-art surgical services expansion at RWJUH in New Brunswick.
