Justin H. Lee, MD, FACS, FAAP

I am a pediatric surgeon specializing in general and thoracic surgery at Cincinnati Children's. I care for infants, children and adolescents with a wide range of surgical conditions, including complex esophageal disorders, congenital lung lesions, appendicitis and chest wall deformities such as pectus excavatum.

My work focuses on delivering compassionate surgical care while advancing the science behind it. I have led multicenter prospective and randomized clinical trials evaluating postoperative antibiotic strategies, enhanced recovery protocols in pediatric surgery and, most recently, the surgical management of esophageal atresia. As director of clinical research for pediatric general and thoracic surgery, I am passionate about collaborative research efforts that improve surgical outcomes, reduce complications and ensure children receive the safest, most evidence-based care possible.

Before joining Cincinnati Children’s, I served at Phoenix Children’s Hospital and the University of Arizona College of Medicine, where I was the surgeon champion for the Pediatric National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) for nearly a decade. That experience strengthened my commitment to quality improvement and high-reliability surgical care.

I am a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and the American Academy of Pediatrics and an active member of national surgical organizations, including the American Pediatric Surgical Association and the Society of University Surgeons.

Outside of the hospital, I am a proud father of three children. Much of my free time is spent outdoors with my family — golfing, snowboarding and staying active together. I also enjoy cooking and sharing meals at home. Being a parent profoundly shapes how I approach my work, reminding me every day of the trust families place in us and the importance of thoughtful, compassionate care.