Finding a physician who will be there for the long haul is a goal of many patients, especially those living with chronic conditions.
Likewise, being that physician – one who will see patients into their senior years, helping them manage their health along the way – is a goal for UTMB vascular surgeon Jani Lee, MD. The relationship-based nature of her specialty was one of the reasons she chose to pursue it.
“I get to have a relatively long-term relationship with my patients, and I get to help them with complex problems,” Dr. Lee says.
The Division of Vascular Surgery at UTMB has grown significantly in recent years, with Dr. Lee being one of the newest additions. She joined UTMB fall 2023 and is well trained in all open and endovascular aspects of vascular surgery, including complex aortic repair, peripheral artery disease, carotid disease, mesenteric disease, dialysis access, and venous disease.
Dr. Lee’s versatility is a strength at UTMB, as the division sees a wide range of cases that require a broad skill set.
Since she has joined UTMB, her cases have included everything from patients who present in clinic with painful leg swelling and varicose veins to on-call cases that involve ruptured aortas or blunt trauma injuries.
Though every day might look a little different, Dr. Lee says she is happy to see patients with all kinds of vascular pathologies.
“These pathologies can be complex, and there are different ways we can solve a problem with the venous or arterial system. Using vascular skills or open surgery skills, we have a lot of tools that we can use,” she says.
Dr. Lee is part of a program at the League City Campus dedicated to helping patients with leg swelling and varicose veins from venous disease. Many patients are women who have been working for many years on their feet and have begun experiencing the discomfort of venous disease. For some, the first visit is frightening and uncertain.
“A lot of times they are very worried about varicose veins, but they have not been to a doctor yet to ask about them. We can reassure them that it is not a medical emergency, and we educate them on what we can do,” she says.
With conservative treatment options and minimally invasive venous ablation therapies, the Vascular Surgery team can offer effective relief with little-to-no downtime for the patient.
“We do the workup and have them wear compression, then if they are still symptomatic, we usually treat in the office,” she says. “Most find it really easy. It’s under an hour, they get to go home afterward, and it’s much easier than in the operating room.”
Demand is still high, even as the division has grown considerably. Dr. Lee recently increased her clinic time from every other Wednesday afternoon to include mornings on those days as well, so more appointment slots are available for new patients.
She is eager to see more patients and welcomes referrals from Primary Care as she establishes her practice – and she looks forward to being there for her patients as they age and continue to need vascular care.
“Our patients tend to be older, and they tend to be sicker. It is really rewarding to help them get better and see them through the more acute kinds of problems,” she says.
 | Jani Lee, MD, sees patients at the UTMB Vascular Surgery Clinics at the UHC in Galveston, League City Campus, and Clear Lake Campus. Learn more about Vascular Surgery at UTMB Health. |