Dr. Lee wins award from Korean TV

A UHS physician has received a national award for social service from the public television network of South Korea.

Obstetrician and gynecologist Bai O. Lee, MD, of Lee Medical in Greater Binghamton, is a recipient of a KBS Global Korean Award, presented annually by the Korean Broadcasting System (KBS), a government network in South Korea similar to America’s Public Broadcasting Service (PBS).

He will be one of the award-winners featured in a KBS documentary, part of which will be filmed at UHS this month.

“Dr. Lee has contributed greatly to our community and organization during his clinical career,” said Matthew J. Salanger, FACHE, president and chief executive officer of UHS. “He truly is a remarkable and talented individual deserving of this recognition.”

Established in 1993, the KBS Global Korean Awards recognize ethnic Koreans abroad who have made “notable contributions to the advancement of the welfare of mankind.”

In addition to social service, the other categories are: humanity and the social sciences, arts and culture, science and technology, and a special prize.

KBS is based in Seoul, the capital and largest city of the Republic of Korea. It operates 18 regional stations and 11 overseas bureaus.

Since arriving at UHS in 1972, Dr. Lee has been involved with a number of charitable activities in Greater Binghamton, including creating a fund for nursing education, and has worked with nonprofits in the New York City area.

He is a member of the UHS Medical Staff and a corporate member of the Board of Trustees of the UHS Foundation.

Dr. Lee grew up in Seoul, where he graduated from medical college in 1965. He then came to the United States, where he completed specialized training in high-risk pregnancies before joining UHS.

As a board-certified specialist, he was a pioneer in the development of a number of medical advances at UHS, including the creation of the high-risk pregnancy center at UHS Wilson Medical Center and the introduction of ultrasound and laparoscopic techniques.