James Lee, MD

Bio

I was born and raised in Denver, Colorado, and though I left Denver in 1971, I remain a crazed Bronco fan (don't talk to me about the Raiders!). Besides football, I love golf, reading and playing the piano. My favorite composers are Schubert and Chopin.

I graduated from the University of Chicago with a degree in Chemistry in 1973, and from Stanford University with an MD in 1977. I did my Internal Medicine training also at Stanford Medical Center and then practiced general medicine on the White Mountain Apache Indian Reservation in Whiteriver, Arizona. I had a private practice of Internal Medicine on the Monterey peninsula for seven years prior to joining Kaiser Permanente in 1989. At Kaiser Permanente, I have a large general Internal Medicine practice (medical care of adults), with an emphasis on Geriatrics. I am board certified in Internal Medicine. I serve on several pharmacy related committees, and I am also the modular leader for the new 280-285 Family Medicine module.

I met my wife, Peggy, while in medical school, and we were married a few months before the Arizona adventure. Some of you may have met her; she's a nurse in the Family Medicine Department and the Infusion Center. My daughter, Allison, is 26 years old and has graduated (with honors!) from UCLA with a degree in Biology. She's is now in her first year of nursing school at the JC, and looks forward to working in the medical field like Mom and Dad. My son, Brian, is 21 and does not share his sister's interest in medicine. He is majoring in computer sciences with an emphasis on video game creation and coding at Digipen University in Redmond, Washington.

As your personal physician, I work with our excellent support staff and ancillary services to ensure your health care needs are met. Together we can coordinate your care within Kaiser Permanente to deliver the quality medical services you deserve. I look forward to your next visit to the Kaiser Santa Rosa.

My Medical Specialty

More details about my specialty:

During medical school, I enjoyed the challenge of taking a history, gathering information through examination and lab testing, and making a diagnosis. It was like solving a puzzle. Internal medicine was a specialty where I could do this kind of work every day.

My specialty interests and affiliations within my field:

As my practice and I have grown older, it seems a great deal of my practice involves the care of the elderly. I have a great interest in the appropriate and cautious use of medications and in ways to improve the health of populations of people as well as my individual patients.

Current projects or research:

Currently, as Chairman of the Outpatient Pharmacy and Therapeutics committee, I work with other doctors, pharmacists and health educators to make sure high-risk patients, especially those with diabetes, kidney and heart disease are on the best medications to optimize their health.

Great health resources that I refer to:

Use your Healthwise Handbook. It's a great source of information about a variety of topics. The Health Education Center in the West MOB is also a great resource.

An interesting story from my training:

As a student at Stanford, I once got to carry a heart from the operating room where it was removed from the donor, to the adjacent room, where it was transplanted into another patient. No, I didn't drop it.

Interests

My favorite book or author:
John Steinbeck

Family & Friends

People in my life:

My wife, Peggy, is a nurse in the Infusion Center here at Kaiser Permanente. She amazes me with her enthusiasm for her job, and her continuous efforts to learn new skills to help her patients. I hope you never have to be treated in the Infusion Center, but if you do, you will enjoy meeting Peggy and the rest of the staff there.

An interesting story about my family or friends:

My wife and I spent two years on an Indian reservation in eastern Arizona when we were first married. Our daughter was born while we were serving there. I got lots of experience setting bones, delivering babies, taking care of kids, and many other things I don't get to do anymore. We had a wonderful time, also, getting to know the Apache people and learning about their culture.

We have a black lab, named Maya, who is obsessed with food and chasing balls. Our cockatiel, Velcro, can whistle the theme song from "The Andy Griffith Show." He got his name from catching his feet on the carpet when he walks around. He used to steal food from our prior dog, Molly, when he was faster on his feet.

Pet Photos:

Maya

Travel

An adventure I've had:

I once hiked to the back side of Half Dome, and pulled myself up the cable to the top. The view was spectacular, but the trip down by cable was pretty scary. I don't think I'll do that again.

Favorite place in the world:

I love the Monterey peninsula -- great golf courses, and beautiful scenery. We also recently took a cruise on the "inside passage" to Alaska. We saw some amazing wildlife, glaciers and other scenery, and enjoyed some hiking and a kayak trip.

One of my recent trips:

Peggy and I went to Italy for 10 days in 2003. The food, scenery, museums and ancient architecture were fascinating. We can't wait to go back someday. We'd also like to see France, Germany, England and Ireland someday -- maybe when we're retired.

A Photo of One of My Favorite Places:

Kayaking near Haines, Alaska

Trip Photos:

In front of the Ponte Vecchio in Florence, Italy