Erica H. Lee, MD

Patients often come to their first appointment fearful of their diagnosis and uncertain of what to expect and what to do. I believe my first job as a physician is to stay focused on my patients’ needs, and to address any worries or concerns they may have. I hope people leave my office feeling more knowledgeable, hopeful, and confident that they are making the right decisions about their care.

Understanding the patient experience is also a topic that I’ve researched extensively. My colleagues and I recently developed a tool called the FACE-Q Skin Cancer Module to help improve care for people with facial skin cancers. Questionnaires from this module are given to patients in advance of their first visit and then throughout their care. It asks them questions about their appearance, satisfaction, and quality of life, providing clinicians like me with the information they need to tailor appointments to the concerns that matter most to each individual patient. Our research has shown that patient feedback captured by questionnaires such as the FACE-Q Skin Cancer can enhance the healing process while improving patients’ overall satisfaction with their care.

In addition to quality of life research, I am actively involved in all the national dermatology associations and regularly give talks on topics ranging from skin cancer management to patient outcomes. I have authored papers and book chapters on squamous cell carcinoma, Mohs surgery, as well as quality of life in skin cancer and breast cancer survivors. I have also authored studies on ways to improve nonmelanoma skin cancer care among elderly patients.

Outside of my career, what I like doing most is spending time with my husband and two boys. We enjoy all that New York City has to offer.