Richard T. Lee, M.D.

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Meet Richard T. Lee, M.D.
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Medical Director, Supportive & Integrative Medicine, Department of Supportive Care Medicine
Clinical Expertise
Supportive Care Medicine
Integrative Medicine
Gastrointestinal Cancer
Appointments
Clinical Professor, Supportive & Integrative Medicine
Clinical Teams
Supportive Care Medicine

We don’t always have to think about a prescription as the first option. There’s a lot of things that we can do through mind-body approaches that have very few side effects but really profound effects on how patients feel. When we help them feel better or sleep better, they’ll have a lot less stress and it improves their quality of life. - Richard T. Lee, M.D.

Richard T. Lee, M.D., is a second-generation physician who was inspired by seeing the positive impact that good health care can have on a community. His philosophy as an oncologist is all about treating the whole patient — centering care on who they are and what they need. His practice brings together the best of Western medicine with integrative therapies such as mind-body techniques and acupuncture backed by research findings.
 
Dr. Lee earned his medical degree at George Washington University, then pursued a residency in internal medicine at Stanford University. Next, a Fulbright Scholarship brought him to China Medical University in Taiwan, where he learned traditional medicine, focusing on acupuncture. At the University of Chicago, he was a fellow in oncology/hematology, including a stint as chief fellow, and in medical ethics, while also training in clinical research. This was followed by a palliative medicine fellowship at Northwestern University.
 
In his practice, Dr. Lee augments the latest in cancer care with options such as acupuncture, which has been shown to help alleviate pain, nausea and symptoms of nerve damage; meditation, shown to help with pain and insomnia; and yoga, also shown to help with insomnia.
 
In his role as medical director of the Integrative Medicine Program, he works closely with his colleagues in supportive care to ensure a unified program with a comprehensive approach. This includes everything from the mind-body techniques and acupuncture, to the basics of nutrition and physical activity, to specialists in treating pain, to support from psychologists and social workers.
 
In his research, Dr. Lee aims to push forward the field of integrative medicine by searching for new cancer drugs based on plants such as European mistletoe, mushrooms and other plants. He hopes to introduce clinical trials into mind-body approaches such as yoga, meditation, tai chi, acupuncture and massage, as well as evaluating the cancer-fighting potential of herbs and supplements, including ones he learns about through his patients.
 
Dr. Lee maintains board certifications in medical oncology, hospice and palliative medicine, and internal medicine. He has received multiple awards from the American Society of Clinical Oncology. Prior to joining City of Hope, he was on the faculty at Case Western Reserve University and MD Anderson Cancer Center.
Location
Education & Experience
Board Certifications

  • 2012, Hospice and Palliative Medicine

  • 2008, Medical Oncology, American Board of Internal Medicine

  • 2004, Internal Medicine, American Board of Internal Medicine

Degrees

  • 2001, Doctor of Medicine, George Washington University, Washington, DC, Maryland

  • 1998, Bachelor of Arts, George Washington University, Washington, DC, Maryland

Fellowship

  • 2008-2009, Palliative Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL

  • 2006-2008, Medical Ethics, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL

  • 2005-2008, Hematology/Oncology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL

  • 2004-2005, Fulbright Scholar, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan

Residency
  • 2002-2004, Internal Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California
Internship
  • 2001-2002, Internal Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California
Professional Experience

  • 2022-present, Medical Director, Integrative Medicine Program, Department of Supportive Care Medicine, City of Hope, Newport Beach Fashion Island, CA

  • 2018-2022, Interim Medical Director, Palliative Care, University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center

  • 2015-2022, Medical Director, Supportive & Integrative Oncology Program, University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center

  • 2015-2022, Associate Professor, Palliative, Rehabilitation, and Integrative Medicine, Division of Cancer Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX

  • 2014-2015, Assistant Professor, Department of Internal Medicine, The University of Texas Medical School at Houston, Houston, TX

  • 2009-2015, Medical Director, Integrative Medicine Program, Division of Cancer Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX

  • 2009-2015, Assistant Professor, Palliative, Rehabilitation and Integrative Medicine, Division of Cancer Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX

Awards & Memberships
Awards

  • 2018-2019, ASCO Leadership Development Program

  • 2011-2015, Helen Moss Foundation-Schoff Family Professor of Integrative Oncology

  • 2008-2009, Midwest Trainee Travel Award, Clinical Society for Clinical Research

  • 2008, ASCO Foundation Merit Award, American Society of Clinical Oncology

  • 2008, ASCO Cancer Foundation Young Investigator Awards, American Society of Clinical Oncology

  • 2001, Doris Deford Speck Award, George Washington University Medical Center

  • 1999, Lamport Award, George Washington University Medical Center

Memberships

  • 2017-present, Member, American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine

  • 2007-present, Member, Society for Integrative Oncology

  • 2005-present, Member, American Society of Clinical Oncology

Publications
  1. Mangla A, Cioffi G, Patil N, Rothermel LD, Ammori JB, Barnholtz-Sloan JS, Lee RT. Surgical Resection for Primary Liver Angiosarcoma: National Cancer Database Analysis 2004-2014. ) Curr Oncol. 2022 May 17;29(5):3637-3646. PMID: 35621682
  2. Mohamed A, Asa SL, McCormick T, Al-Shakhshir H, Dasari A, Mauricio R, Salem I, Ocuin LM, Bajor D, Lee RT, Selfridge J, Arash J, Lee Z, Avril N, Kopp S, Winter JM, Hardacre JM, Ammori JB, Ghannoum MA. The Role of the Microbiome in Gastroentero-Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Neoplasms (GEP-NENs). Curr Issues Mol Biol. 2022 Apr 30;44(5):2015-2028. PMID: 35678665
  3. Huang LF*, Hong A*, Cioffi G, Alahmadi A*, Tang TY*, Ocuin LM, Patel N, Bajor DL, Saltzman JN, Mohamed A, Selfridge E, Hooper MW, Barnholtz-Sloan J, Lee RT. The Effect of Race on Adherence to NCCN Guidelines for Patients with High-Risk Biliary Tract Cancers After Surgery. Front Oncol. 2022 Feb 22;12:771688. PMID: 35273909
  4. Tang TY*, Daunov K*, Lee RT. Durable Response to Very Low Dose Sorafenib and Regorafenib in Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Front Oncol. 2021 Dec 16;11:780798. eCollection 2021.PMID:34976819
  5. Rodgers-Melnick SN, Zanotti K, Lee RT, Hooper WB. Demographic and Clinical Predictors of Engaging in Tobacco Cessation Counseling at a Comprehensive Cancer Center. JCO Oncol Pract. 2022 Jan 7: PMID: 34995104
  6. Sugumar K, Markt SC, Hue JJ, Hoehn RS, Lee RT, Chavin KD, Rothermel LD, Winter JM, Hardacre JM, Ammori JB, Ocuin LM.. Black race is independently associated with underutilization of transplantation for clinical T1 hepatocellular carcinoma. HPB (Oxford). 2021 Nov 6:S1365-182X(21)01690-7. PMID: 34872866
  7. Dans M, Kutner JS, Agarwal R, Baker JN, Bauman JR, Beck AC, Campbell TC, Carey EC, Case AA, Dalal S, Doberman DJ, Epstein AS, Fecher L, Jones J, Kapo J, Lee RT, Loggers ET, McCammon S, Mitchell W, Ogunseitan AB, Portman DG, Ramchandran K, Sutton L, Temel J, Teply ML, Terauchi SY, Thomas J, Walling AM, Zachariah F, Bergman MA, Ogba N, Campbell M. NCCN Guidelines® Insights: Palliative Care, Version 2.2021. J Natl Compr Canc Netw. 2021 Jul 28;19(7):780-788. PMID: 34340208
  8. Opneja A*, Cioffi G, Alahmadi A*, Patil P, Jones N, Tang T*, Bajor DL, Saltzman JN, Mohamed M, Mangla A, Barnholtz-Sloan J, Lee RT. The Adoption of Single Agent Chemotherapy for Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Impact of Facility Type, Insurance Status, and Income on Survival: Analysis of the National Cancer Database (NCDB) 2004-2014. Cancer Med 2021 May 31 PMID: 34060249
  9. Jurdi, NE, Nock N, Fu P, Cao S, Cotton JM, Ali N, Ravi R, Pinto R, Galloway E, Kolke S, Cooper B; Tomlinson B, Malek E, Lance C, Kolk MJ, Ferrari N, Lee RT, Lima M; Caimi PF. Physical Activity and Sleep Measures Using a Fitness Tracking Device during Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation: A Prospective Feasibility Study. Transplant Cell Ther. 2021 Feb 19:S2666-6367(21)00694-1 PMID:33827757
  10. Jiang C*, Larbi O*, Feyes D, Wang G, Momotaz H, Li M, Daunov K*, Daly B, Mazanec S, Rodgers-Melnick S, Rolfe S, Tamburro N, Hobson S, Lee RT. A survey of cancer patients, caregivers, and providers regarding familiarity, importance, and utilization of supportive and integrative oncology services. Support Care Cancer. 2021 Mar 19. PMID: 33740131
  11. Lee RT, Yang P, Alahmadi A*, McQuade J, Yuan E, Difeo A, Narla G, Kaseb A. Mistletoe Extract Viscum Fraxini-2 for Treatment of Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Case Series. Case Rep Oncol 2021;14:224–231. PMID: 33776708
  12. Hlubocky FJ, Symington B, Gallagher C, Dragnev KH, Burke JB, Lee RT, El-Jawahri A, Popp B, Rosenberg A, Thompson M, Dizon D, Srivastava P, Patel M, Back AL, Daugherty CK, Kamal AH, McFarland DC, Dokucu M, Shanafelt T. The Impact of the COVID-19 Epidemic on Oncologist Burnout, Emotional Well-Being, & Moral Distress: Considerations for the Cancer Organization’s Ethical Response for Readiness, Resilience, & Mitigation. JCO Oncol Pract. 2021 Feb 8. PMID: 33555934
  13. Lee RT, Kwon N, Wu J, To C, To S, Szmulewitz R, Tchekmedyian R, Holmes H, Olopade OI, Stadler WM, Von Roenn J. Prevalence of potential medication interactions including herbs and supplements before, during, and after chemotherapy in breast and prostate cancer patients. Cancer. 2021 Feb 1. PMID: 33524183
  14. Larbi O*, Jiang C*, Bristol B, Wang G, Daunov K*, Hobson S, Daly B, Mazanec S, Feyes D, Rodgers-Melnick S , Momotaz H, Li M, Lee RT. Interest and Willingness to Pay for Integrative Therapies of Patients With Cancer and Caregivers. JCO Oncol Pract. 2021 Jan 22. PMID: 33492981
  15. Power-James C, Alvarez A*, Milbury K, Barbo A, Daunov K, Lopez G, Cohen L, Delgado-Guay M, Olopade OI, Lee RT. The influence of spirituality and religiosity on US oncologists’ personal use of and clinical practices regarding complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). Integr Cancer Therap. Integr Cancer Ther Jan-Dec 2020;19 PMID: 32830556