With more than five decades of experience, Maria Flaviana S. Lee, MD, currently excels as an anesthesiologist in her private practice, Maria F. Lee, MD, PC, in Roslyn, New York. In this role, she is responsible for various aspects of perioperative care before, during and after surgery, including monitoring vitals for stability and ensuring consistent respiration. She began her career in 1970 and has contributed her expertise to various hospitals and medical centers throughout the years, including as an affiliate of Long Island Medical PC, Northwell Health Hospital and the Flushing Endoscopy Center. In more recent years, Dr. Lee has brought her skills as an anesthesiologist to 307 Long Island Medical PC, King-Chen Hon Office Based Endoscopy PLLC, LI Queens Medical Care PLLC and Queens Midland Medical PC.
Dr. Lee has made a name for herself through her compassion and care for her patients. Putting great emphasis on the importance of empathy and being able to put herself in her patient’s shoes, she looks forward to going to work every day and getting to talk to her patients. In order to keep abreast of new developments in her field, she maintains professional affiliation with both the American Medical Association and the New York State Society of Anesthesiologists, Inc. Looking toward the future, Dr. Lee hopes to continue practicing medicine for as long as she is able. She loves what she does and has no plans to retire.
Born in the Philippines to father Chaum Lee and mother Keng Giok Sy, Dr. Lee was inspired to a career in medicine by her uncle, who helped her father overcome several medical conditions in her youth. While her parents, particularly her father, took some time to come around to the idea of Dr. Lee pursuing a career in medicine, she considers the support she received from her parents to be foundational to her success. It was her father who impressed upon her the importance of prioritizing her patients and providing pro bono care to underserved populations. Dr. Lee achieved her Doctor of Medicine from the University of Santo Tomas in 1958.
The following year, Dr. Lee came to the United States to begin a medical internship at the Michael Reese Hospital and Medical Center in Chicago. During this time, she gained her first experience in anesthesiology, having initially intended to enter the field of obstetrics and gynecology, and was invited to join the anesthesiology department as a resident, which she accepted. She went on to complete a residency in anesthesiology at the College of Medicine at the University of Illinois Chicago, an additional residency in internal medicine at Shaughnessy Hospital in Vancouver, British Columbia, and a fellowship in anesthesiology at Winnipeg General Hospital at the University of Manitoba in Canada.
For her excellence, Dr. Lee has been the recipient of a number of honors and accolades over the course of her career. In 2018, she was recognized with a Top Doctor Award as well as being voted one of the Best Anesthesiologists in New York. Furthermore, she has continually received countless positive patient reviews and feedback across the facilities that she has done work with, in addition to her private practice. When she isn’t working, Dr. Lee enjoys reading, nature and spending time out of doors.