Lee named director of UI Health Care’s Organ Transplant Center
David Lee, MD, has been selected to serve as the director of UI Health Care’s Organ Transplant Center.
David Lee, MD, a nationally recognized transplant surgeon, researcher, and educator, has been named director of the University of Iowa Health Care Organ Transplant Center, effective Dec. 31, 2026.
Lee joins UI Health Care from Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, where he currently serves as surgical director of one of the nation’s leading liver transplant programs and is a member of the faculty in the Department of Surgery. He also holds an appointment as associate professor of surgery at Harvard Medical School.
“Dr. Lee is an accomplished transplant surgeon, respected researcher, and collaborative leader whose work has helped advance organ transplantation and expand access to lifesaving care,” says Vikas Dudeja, MBBS, FACS, professor and chair of the UI Department of Surgery. “He brings a wealth of experience leading complex transplant programs, a deep commitment to education and innovation, and a clear vision for the future of transplantation. I am delighted to welcome him to Iowa.”
Lee succeeds Alan Reed, MD, MBA, FACS, who has led the Organ Transplant Center since 2007 and plans to step down from the role upon Lee’s arrival. During his tenure, Reed helped guide the growth and evolution of the transplant program while advancing clinical care, education, research, and innovation across the organization. A nationally respected transplant surgeon and leader, he has contributed extensively to transplant policy, ethics, quality improvement, and organ allocation at both the institutional and national levels.
“For nearly two decades, Dr. Alan Reed has helped shape the Organ Transplant Center into the nationally respected program it is today,” Dudeja says. “We are grateful for the many contributions he has made to our patients, our teams, and the broader field of transplantation.”
With a strong foundation in place, Lee brings extensive experience leading transplant programs, advancing research, and expanding access to lifesaving care throughout his career.
Prior to his current role, he served as surgical director of kidney and pancreas transplantation and held leadership positions at Loyola University Medical Center, Mayo Clinic, and Virginia Commonwealth University. Throughout his career, he has focused on expanding access to transplantation, improving transplant outcomes, and advancing the field through innovation and collaborative research.
“I am honored to join UI Health Care and build on the organization's strong legacy in transplant medicine,” Lee says. “The Organ Transplant Center has an outstanding reputation for patient care, education, and research. I look forward to partnering with colleagues across the institution to continue advancing access, innovation, and outcomes for patients and families throughout Iowa and beyond.”
Lee is internationally recognized for his expertise in liver transplantation, donation after circulatory death transplantation, organ preservation technology, and hepatobiliary surgery. He has authored or co-authored more than 130 peer-reviewed publications, book chapters, and scholarly works and has contributed to numerous national studies that have helped shape modern transplant practice. He currently serves as associate editor for the journal Liver Transplantation and holds leadership roles with national transplant organizations.
A graduate of the University of Michigan Medical School, Lee completed his general surgery residency at Rush University Medical Center and completed fellowship training in abdominal transplantation at the University of Michigan Medical School. He is board-certified by the American Board of Surgery.
As director, Lee will oversee all aspects of the Organ Transplant Center, working closely with physicians, advanced practice providers, nurses, researchers, and staff to advance clinical care, education, research, and program growth. Lee will also serve as division director of transplant surgery in the Department of Surgery.