Brian Lee, M.D., leads with generosity, compassion and service

Brian Lee, M.D., medical director of the Emergency Care Center (ECC) at Providence St. Joseph Hospital, is living his childhood dream. For as long as he can remember, he imagined his future as an emergency room physician. His inspiration will be familiar to anyone who remembers a 1970s TV show about first responders and hospital staff at the fictional “Rampart General” emergency room. 

“One of my favorite TV shows, when I was a kid, was Emergency!” he remembers. “I found my 6th-grade yearbook, and in it, I answered the question, ‘What do you want to be when you grow up?’ with ‘emergency room doctor’ and ‘fireman.’” 

A generous leader

A physician with an understanding of the good philanthropy does at the hospital, Dr. Lee gives his time and talent as a member of the Providence St. Joseph Hospital Foundation Board and the Physician Leadership Council. The council consists of 20 hospital clinicians who partner with the Foundation and assist in identifying needs and determining fundraising opportunities.

He himself is a generous donor of an invaluable emergency waiting room resource. “One of the most common questions we hear is if we have a cell phone charger in the waiting room,” he says. “So, I thought it would be a good idea to donate the kind of charging lockers used in public spaces, so patients and families have one less thing to worry about.”

His giving nature extends to his leadership style. Dr. Lee believes in caring for caregivers so that they can give their best to their patients. “We have so many great doctors and nurses, techs and others who are passionate about patient care,” he says. “I’ve made it a focus from my leadership perspective to do what I can to make their jobs easier.”

Welcome to our front door

Often the first stop in the patient’s journey at Providence St. Joseph, the ECC can be considered the hospital’s “front door.” Dr. Lee wants everyone to know they are welcome to come in. “We are here for everyone,” he says. “This is our specialty, and we are passionate about taking care of everyone who comes through our doors.”