The American Society of Transplant Surgeons (ASTS) is deeply saddened by the passing of H.M. Lee, MD, on March 24, 2013. Dr. Lee was a charter member of ASTS and served as its 11th President from 1984 to 1985.
Dr. Lee retired in 1997 as Chairman of the Division of Vascular and Transplant Surgery at the Medical College of Virginia. Raised in North Korea, and escaping to South Korea as a young man, Dr. Lee obtained his medical degree from Seoul National University Medical School in 1949. Thereafter, he came to the United States and ultimately began training at the Medical College of Virginia under the tutelage of Dr. David Hume.
Dr. Lee led the transplant service in Richmond for many years and became increasingly active with important transplant organizations, including the Southeastern Organ Procurement Foundation and the United Network for Organ Sharing. After retiring, he earned a law degree and continued his interest in numerous scholarly pursuits.
Dr. Lee participated in the ASTS Chimera Chronicles video project, and you can view his interview at www.asts.org/news-and-publications/chimera/chimera-chronicles/profiles/lee. You can also view the UNOS article about Dr. Lee at www.unos.org/about/index.php?topic=newsroom&article_id=2783 or read the Richmond Times-Dispatch obituary here.
There will be a Memorial Service for Dr. Lee followed by a reception at St. Stephen's Church, 6000 Grove Avenue in Richmond, Virginia, at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 6, 2013. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the HM Lee Foundation at Virginia Commonwealth University.