Skip to Content
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube
  • Instagram
  • TikTok

New Search

C.C. Lee
Patient Rating
4.6 / 5 (Based on 574 Reviews)

C.C. Lee, MD, FACS

Specialties: Cardiothoracic Surgery, Open Heart Surgery, and Vascular Surgery

Schedule an Appointment

To schedule an appointment with C.C. Lee, please call 319-861-7200

Areas of Interest

Dr. Lee specializes in coronary bypass, heart valve, atrial fibrillation, open and endovascular aortic aneurysm, peripheral vascular and endovascular surgeries, lung and mediastinal surgery, as well as vein therapy. Additional interests include interpretation of non-invasive vascular studies and initiating, developing and maintaining cardiovascular and thoracic surgery programming.

Year began practicing: 1995

Year joined staff: 2017

Year began practicing in specialty: 1995

Education and Training

Education

Medical College of Virginia, Doctor of Medicine

Residency

George Washington University Hospitals, General Surgery, Senior Surgical Resident, Chief Resident in General/Vascular Surgery
University of Buffalo Hospitals, Chief Resident Cardiothoracic Surgery

Fellowship

Harvard Medical School, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Research Fellow in Cardiac Surgery

Professional Memberships

  • American College of Surgeons
  • Society of Thoracic Surgeons
  • Society of Vascular Surgery
  • Society of Midwestern Vascular Surgery
  • American Medical Association
  • Wisconsin Medical Society
  • Korean American Medical Association
  • American Association for Physician Leadership

Honors, Awards, etc.

  • 2025 Nominee for Colleague award
  • 2024 Nominee for Mentor/Educator award
  • 2024 Nominee for Colleague award
  • 2023 Nominee for Mentor/Educator award
  • 2019 Nominee for Mentor/Educator award, one of Mercy's Annual Provider Awards
  • Alpha Omega Alpha
    Medical College of Virginia
  • Sigma Zeta Honorary Science Society
    Medical College of Virginia

Certifications

Board Certified in Surgery and Thoracic Surgery

Personal Interests

Dr. Lee enjoys family gatherings and appreciates every moment spent with his wife and three children.

Additional Information

Mercy Medical Center welcomes C.C. Lee, MD, FACS, as Medical Director of Mercy’s Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Surgery Services to lead the progression of its open heart surgery program.

Dr. Lee received his medical degree from the Medical College of Virginia and completed multiple residencies at George Washington University Hospitals, Harvard Medical School/Brigham & Women’s Hospital, and University of Buffalo Hospitals, where he was the chief resident for cardiothoracic surgery.

Through diverse heart surgery experiences, Dr. Lee initiated, developed and maintained a state-of-the-art cardiovascular and thoracic surgery program. He launched an open heart program in Wisconsin, immediately developing it into one achieving stellar marks for quality measurements that far surpass national averages.

In addition to minimally invasive coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and valve therapies, Dr. Lee brings new procedures to the Cedar Rapids community, including surgical atrial fibrillation, complex aortic pathologies and robotic thoracic surgery, among others.

“I’m hopeful my experience will help build on the foundation of the comprehensive and strong heart program already in place at Mercy,” said Dr. Lee.

Dr. Lee sees patients at the Mercy Cardiothoracic & Vascular Clinic on the fourth floor of the 8th & 8th Medical Park building.

Read a profile on Dr. Lee from The Gazette, March 28, 2017. (PDF)

Patient Reviews

5.0
September 29, 2025
Very good communication and attentiveness.
5.0
September 28, 2025
Dr. Lee is a man of few words, but very good and to the point, at answering questions.
5.0
September 24, 2025
Dr CC Lee was excellent. Very caring and considerate. The intensive care nurses working for him were outstanding His team was great. We are so blessed to have them in Cedar Rapids Iowa
5.0
September 04, 2025
All was good
5.0
August 13, 2025
Dr. Lee is very good at what he does. I always go in with questions and he answers them without hesitating. All of the staff that work with him genuinely care.
5.0
August 11, 2025
Dr. Lee is excellent. Very thorough and explains everything.
1.0
June 09, 2025
For the second time, Dr Lee was very dismissive of my questions and wanting further information/clarity on condition and treatment plan.
5.0
June 09, 2025
Dr. Lee entered the room with a smile and was very personable. He did not leave the room until I had my questions answered.
5.0
May 23, 2025
Dr. Lee is very attentive and answered all my questions thoroughly.
5.0
May 21, 2025
Dr. Lee is always interested and recommends appropriate actions
3.0
May 07, 2025
Doctor spent about 45 seconds with me.
2.0
April 22, 2025
Dr. Lee is very distant. When I told him I was better, he said I should see him next year. I received no explanations or information on my condition.
2.2
April 16, 2025
Dr. Lee is an excellent surgeon and this is the first negative experience I've had with him. He glanced at (me) from a couple feet away, said the initial ultrasound showed the procedure was successful, said to come back in a month, and left.
5.0
April 08, 2025
Very thorough and caring. Explained everything very well and showed concern for my conditions.
4.0
April 01, 2025
Dr Lee is a great surgeon just has a not great bedside manner. Too short and sweet
View More

Provider's Contact Information

Mercy Cardiothoracic & Vascular Clinic website

Locations

Patient Stories

CAGB Procedure Reenergizes Patient With Coronary Artery Disease
William Lita, 88, knew there was something off with his health when he continually felt a loss of energy and couldn’t accomplish his normal, everyday tasks. Dr. Lee diagnosed William with coronary artery disease, the most common type of heart disease. Read William's story.

"Mercy marks a first: CR Hospital launches open heart surgery program" (PDF) from The Gazette, Nov. 14, 2017.