Dr. Cheryl Lee stands as a transformative leader in urologic oncology and bladder cancer treatment with national recognition for her clinical excellence and academic leadership. She serves as Professor and Chair of the Department of Urology at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, where she holds the prestigious Dorothy M. Davis Endowed Chair in Cancer Research. As the first Black female chair of a urology department in the United States, she represents a historic milestone in the field's diversity and inclusion trajectory. Her clinical practice is centered at the OSUCCC-James Cancer Hospital, where she specializes in complex bladder cancer cases requiring sophisticated surgical interventions and multidisciplinary care approaches.
Dr. Lee's clinical expertise focuses on providing comprehensive, patient-centered care for individuals facing bladder cancer diagnoses with exceptional surgical precision and empathetic communication. With more than fifteen years of specialized experience, she brings exceptional skill to complex urologic oncology procedures while prioritizing patient understanding and comfort throughout the treatment journey. Her approach emphasizes clear explanation of treatment options, ensuring patients feel informed and empowered to make decisions about their care with full comprehension of potential outcomes. By treating not just the disease but the whole patient, she has established a reputation for compassionate care that addresses both medical and emotional dimensions of cancer treatment.
In her leadership role as department chair, Dr. Lee is actively working to ensure she won't be the last woman of color to hold such a position in academic urology, implementing strategic initiatives to broaden representation in the specialty. She mentors aspiring urologists, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds, to create pathways for greater diversity in this critical medical field. Her vision for the department emphasizes collaborative care models, innovation in treatment approaches, and maintaining the highest standards of clinical excellence across all urologic specialties. Dr. Lee continues to advance patient care through her clinical practice while shaping the future of urology through strategic leadership, mentorship, and her commitment to ensuring equitable access to high-quality cancer treatment.
