Lee-may Chen

Dr. Lee-may Chen is a Clinical Professor and Director of the Division of Gynecologic Oncology in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences at the University of California San Francisco (UCSF). She holds the distinguished title of John A. Kerner Professor in Gynecologic Oncology and is a Board Certified Gynecologic Oncologist with expertise in hereditary cancer syndromes.

Dr. Chen earned her B.S. in Biomedical Sciences & Chinese Studies from the University of Michigan in 1989, followed by her M.D. from the University of Michigan Medical School in 1992. She completed her residency in Obstetrics & Gynecology at the same institution in 1996 and her Fellowship in Gynecologic Oncology at UCLA in 1999. She further developed her academic skills through UCSF's Teaching Scholars Program (2006) and Mentor Development Program (2010).

Her clinical focus centers on the systematic identification and management of individuals at high risk of developing gynecologic cancers. Dr. Chen has been a pioneer in championing genetic testing for at-risk populations, including patients with ovarian and endometrial cancer, even before PARP inhibitors were recognized for targeting homologous recombination deficiency. Her research spans hereditary cancer risk assessment, cancer prevention strategies, and the management of high-risk patients with BRCA mutations and Lynch syndrome. She has published extensively in top journals including The New England Journal of Medicine, Journal of Clinical Oncology, and Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Dr. Chen has received numerous prestigious awards including the ACOG/CREOG National Faculty Award (2003), UCSF Clinical & Translational Research Institute Resident Mentor of the Year (2016), James F. Nolan Award (2016), Outstanding Resident Teaching Award (2016), Outstanding Faculty Award in Medical Student Teaching (2016), and the UCSF Exceptional Physician Award (2022).

As Division Director since 2015, Dr. Chen is deeply committed to education and was elected to the UCSF Haile T. Debas Academy of Medical Educators in 2008. She actively mentors fellows, residents, and medical students while representing UCSF on NCCN Guideline panels for ovarian cancer and genetic/familial high-risk assessment. She was appointed as the 2022-2024 SGO Liaison to the ACOG Board of Directors and serves on multiple institutional committees including the UCSF ERAS Pathway Working Group, Gyn Perioperative Governance, Medical Center Credentialling, and the Cancer Center Quality Council where she serves as Chair.