An expert spine surgeon, Michael Lee, MD, treats spinal injuries, degenerative conditions and spinal deformity as well as complex tumors of the spinal cord. He is dedicated to improving safety and quality measures for spine surgery.
As the principal investigator for several research studies, Dr. Lee has worked to identify risk factors for post-operative lumbar spondylolisthesis and to enhance lumbar spine surgical techniques. He recently has focused efforts on creating models to predict the likelihood of complication after spine surgery. In addition to his research, Dr. Lee teaches medical students, residents, fellows and practicing spine surgeons. Past courses have focused on the surgical treatment of complex spinal tumors and minimally invasive surgery.
Dr. Lee has published more than 150 journal articles, book chapters and abstracts on spinal conditions and surgical treatments. He has chaired several spinal surgery teaching courses and has edited two textbooks. He also serves as a reviewer for several scientific journals, and has received numerous grants to support his research. Dr. Lee has been invited to present his work at national and international conferences. In 2013, he was named to the list of Best Doctors in America by Best Doctors, Inc.
Residency Case Western Reserve University
Cleveland, OH
- Department of Orthopedics
2006
Allen Orthopedic Research Fellow Case Western Reserve University
Cleveland, OH
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery
2002
Internship Case Western Reserve University
Cleveland, OH
- Department of General Surgery
2001
Northwestern University School of Medicine
Chicago, IL
- Doctor of Medicine
2000
Northwestern University
Evanston, IL
Bachelor of Science - Biomedical Engineering
1996
Trend of Spine Surgeries in the Outpatient Hospital Setting Versus Ambulatory Surgical Center.
Trend of Spine Surgeries in the Outpatient Hospital Setting Versus Ambulatory Surgical Center. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2017 Dec 15; 42(24):E1429-E1436.
PMID: 28368986
On Patient Safety: Is it Possible to Operate Too Much?
On Patient Safety: Is it Possible to Operate Too Much? Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2017 12; 475(12):2858-2860.
PMID: 28643078
It All Depends on Who Does What: A Survey of Patient and Family Member Comfort With Surgical Trainees Operating.
It All Depends on Who Does What: A Survey of Patient and Family Member Comfort With Surgical Trainees Operating. J Surg Educ. 2017 Nov - Dec; 74(6):1001-1006.
PMID: 28619280
On Patient Safety: Being a Jerk in the Operating Room is Bad for the Patient.
On Patient Safety: Being a Jerk in the Operating Room is Bad for the Patient. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2017 Feb; 475(2):328-330.
PMID: 27873098
Bone morphogenetic protein 9 (BMP9) induces effective bone formation from reversibly immortalized multipotent adipose-derived (iMAD) mesenchymal stem cells.
Bone morphogenetic protein 9 (BMP9) induces effective bone formation from reversibly immortalized multipotent adipose-derived (iMAD) mesenchymal stem cells. Am J Transl Res. 2016; 8(9):3710-3730.
PMID: 27725853
How Effective is Physical Therapy for Common Low Back Pain Diagnoses?: A Multivariate Analysis of 4597 Patients.
How Effective is Physical Therapy for Common Low Back Pain Diagnoses?: A Multivariate Analysis of 4597 Patients. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2016 Aug 15; 41(16):1325-1329.
PMID: 26890953
On Patient Safety: Do You Say "I'm Sorry" to Patients?
On Patient Safety: Do You Say "I'm Sorry" to Patients? Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2016 Nov; 474(11):2359-2361.
PMID: 27519576
An NgAgo tool for genome editing: did CRISPR/Cas9 just find a competitor?
An NgAgo tool for genome editing: did CRISPR/Cas9 just find a competitor? Genes Dis. 2016 Sep; 3(3):169-170.
PMID: 28066798
Safer Operations, But Worse Surgeons?
Safer Operations, But Worse Surgeons? Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2016 Jul; 474(7):1574-6.
PMID: 27193148
A thermoresponsive polydiolcitrate-gelatin scaffold and delivery system mediates effective bone formation from BMP9-transduced mesenchymal stem cells.
A thermoresponsive polydiolcitrate-gelatin scaffold and delivery system mediates effective bone formation from BMP9-transduced mesenchymal stem cells. Biomed Mater. 2016 Apr 21; 11(2):025021.
PMID: 27097687
Co-Director of University of Chicago Operative Performance Search Institute
University of Chicago
2016
University of Chicago Gerald Laros Faculty Teaching Award
University of Chicago
2016
University of Chicago Medical Center Bucksbaum Institute for Clinical Excellence Selected as Senior
University of Chicago
2015
University of Washington Medical Center Surgical Dynamics Endowed Chair for Spine Surgery
University of Washington
2013 - 2014
University of Chicago Center for Healthcare Delivery Science and Innovation: Inaugural Class of Facu
Search Institute University of Chicago
2006