Richard S. Lee, M.D.

About Dr. Richard S. Lee

Richard Lee, M.D. specializes in surgical treatment of spinal conditions and is board certified in orthopedic surgery. Dr. Lee specializes in minimally invasive surgery of the spine and treating the entire spectrum of spinal conditions including cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine pathologies. Dr Lee performs some of the most complex spine surgeries, and is also a leader in the most advanced surgical techniques including ultra minimally invasive spine surgery (ultra-MIS), which utilizes a spine endoscope and one single-portal for the surgical instruments and camera.

Dr. Lee’s interest in spinal surgery is a combination of several academic interests during his schooling. In college, he studied neurobiology and was intrigued by the complexity of the human nervous system. His laboratory research included work on the effects of microgravity on gene expression in bone and muscle cells in outer space. These early experiences as an undergraduate student and NASA researcher primed his interest in orthopedic and spinal surgery as a medical student.

“What I enjoy most about spinal surgery is the opportunity to combine science and art to help patients rehab from physically debilitating conditions.”

Dr. Lee attended the University of California at Berkeley for his undergraduate degree in molecular biology. He went on to attend medical school at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York. He completed his surgical internship and orthopedic surgery residency at the Yale School of Medicine, followed by a combined orthopedic and neurosurgical spinal surgery fellowship at Harvard Medical School.

A Southern California native, Dr. Lee resides in Newport Beach and enjoys running and cycling in his spare time.

Education Medical Education - Albert Einstein College of Medicine (Medical Doctor)
Internship - Yale New Haven Hospital (General Surgery)
Residency - Yale New Haven Hospital (Orthopaedic Surgery)
Fellowship - Harvard Medical School (Spine Surgery)