Page 11 - MidWeek - April 27, 2022

APRIL 27, 2022 MIDWEEK 11
Dr. Paula Lee recently joined the Hawai‘i Pacific Health Medical Group as its new- est gynecologic oncologist. She works closely alongside fellow gy- necologic oncologist Dr. Michael Carney and oncology nurse practi- tioner Joanna Agena. In addition to her appointment with HPH, Lee will serve as professor of obstetrics and gynecology at University of Hawai‘i John A. Burns School of Medicine.
DR. PAULA LEE, gynecologic oncologist at Hawai‘i Pacific Health Interviewed by Don Robbins
Advancing The Care Of Women
training program at the Uganda Can- cer Institute and Mulago Hospital in Kampala, Uganda. She continues to collaborate with the staff there.
female mentors who became and still are my role models.
expand to the Pacific, including the UH Mānoa John A. Burns School of Medicine Department of OB-GYN efforts in Guam.
I spent the last 22 years in North Carolina, completing my residency and fellowship at Duke University Medical Center. I stayed on as facul- ty and developed my academic career at Duke. I spent the past six years in various leadership positions, one in particular that I am very proud of was as the fellowship program direc- tor for gynecologic oncology. Seeing the success of my trainees is very re- warding. All these experiences have positioned me well to provide state- of-the-art, comprehensive gynecolog- ic oncology care here in Hawaiʻi.
I am committed to my patients and my field of medicine. What has grounded me to stay steadfast in my career is the love of my family — my three children and my husband. We feel fortunate to be here in Hawai‘i surrounded by kindness, support and beauty.
“An integral part of who I am as a physician is my commitment to teaching and professional growth,” she explains.
In this article, Lee shares more about her career and background.
(From left) Dr. Paula Lee of Hawai‘i Pacific Health Medical Group works with oncology nurse practitioner Joanna Agena.
PHOTOS COURTESY HAWAI‘I PACIFIC HEALTH
usually caught early because patients experience vaginal bleeding after they have gone through menopause or new irregular bleeding, which of- ten prompts them to seek evaluation. It is important to understand that pap smears do not screen for endometrial cancers.
Many women are the matriarchs of their families and are not used to being cared for. Many even delay seeking their own care. I feel an im- mense privilege to be entrusted by my patients to be their advocate and to provide the best care possible.
Lee holds board certification in three areas — obstetrics and gyne- cology, gynecologic oncology, and palliative medicine. This enables her to work with the patient and patient’s family throughout the entire cancer care experience.
What do you do as a gynecologic oncologist?
Gynecologic oncology is primari- ly a surgical field, meaning we spend a lot of time in the operating room. One of my professional interests is novel techniques and innovations in surgery that limit potential long-term side effects without compromising cancer outcomes.
“Having a cancer diagnosis is life-changing for patients and their loved ones. Expertise in these areas allows me to provide compassionate quality care throughout this jour- ney,” she elaborates.
Gynecologic oncologists are unique doctors in that we perform the operations, provide chemother- apy and monitor the time after treat- ment for all our cancer patients. I provide this comprehensive cancer care for patients with gynecologic malignancies such as ovarian, uter- ine (endometrial), cervical and vul- var cancers.
What inspired you to pursue a medical degree and specialize in gynecologic oncology?
I continue my involvement with the International Gynecologic Cancer Society as co-chair of the Extension for Community Health- care Outcomes committee and will help oversee the learning structure in all the international fellowship programs that IGCS supports. My interests in global health will now
What else would you like to add?
Lee is also focused on global health. In 2014, she helped build a sustainable gynecologic oncology
What treatments are your patients typically seeking?
My parents were my first inspi- ration. My father retired as a solo practitioner (he was an internal medicine physician). My mother, who is trained as a nurse, was his office manager. In medical school, I was immediately drawn to wom- en’s health care and had very strong
“I am passionate about advancing the care of women with cancer in middle- and low-income countries in a long-term, sustainable way. That, combined with my background in public health, inspired my efforts in Uganda,” she adds.
What do you love most about your career?
What should readers know about your medical training?
In the United States, the most common gynecologic cancer is en- dometrial cancer. Fortunately, it is
My patients. I was drawn to this field by the strength and drive of gy- necologic cancer patients.
A doctor is just a screen away.
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