Emory University has announced Dr. Joon Sup Lee as the new CEO of Emory Healthcare, the nonprofit business that runs Emory’s 11 hospitals and 250 clinics, labs and other locations and is home to 24,000-plus employees.
Lee is president of University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Physician Services, where he is responsible for 5,000 employed physicians and all clinically active faculty. That work includes physician services, quality of care, patient experience, patient access and financial oversight of physician services. Lee has also played a role in UPMC’s expansion and holds the title of UPMC executive vice president.
Lee will be the number two staffer managing Emory Healthcare, under Dr. Ravi Thadhani, Emory’s executive vice president for health affairs. Thadhani’s hiring was announced in October.
Thadhani was chief academic officer at Harvard University’s flagship teaching hospital, Mass General Brigham, and also a researcher on kidney problems and preeclampsia.
Lee joined the University of Pittsburgh faculty in 1996, and has served as chief of cardiology at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, according to Emory. He is a fellow in the American College of Cardiology and Society for Coronary Angiography and Interventions.
Lee was trained as an interventional cardiologist, a doctor who uses tools and surgery to fix heart problems. His research and and work has focused on the role of stem cells in the treatment of coronary artery disease, rapid treatment of cardiac emergencies and catheter-based therapy for valvular heart disease.
Emory officials said Lee was chosen by Thadhani and Emory Healthcare Board Chair John Rice, and Lee will report to Thadhani and the board.
Thadhani praised Lee in a statement Monday.
“Dr. Lee is an outstanding leader who is ambitious, talented and prepared to serve our world-class health care enterprise on day one,” Thadhani said. “He has tremendous experience as an executive, and he has a deep understanding of the patient perspective as well as the power of research to save and improve lives, which he developed during his time as a practicing cardiologist. He is poised to make great contributions and elevate Emory Healthcare.”
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