Lee Kirksey, MD
Treatment & Services
- Aorta Center
- Bypass Surgery for Atherosclerosis
- Bypass Surgery for PAD
- Bypass Surgery for Peripheral Vascular Disease (PVD)
- Bypass Surgery for Venous Disease
- Carotid Artery Aneurysm Surgery
- Carotid Endarterectomy
- Dialysis Access Procedures
- Dialysis Access Surgery
- Endovascular Repair of Carotid Artery Disease
- Vascular Surgery Department
- Wound Care
Specialty in Diseases & Conditions
- Carotid Artery Aneurysm
- Carotid Artery Disease
- Cerebrovascular Disease
- Peripheral Artery Disease
- Venous Insufficiency
- Venous Leg Ulcers
- Venous Stasis Leg Ulcers
Insurance
Is Cleveland Clinic Part of Your Insurance?
Review a list of accepted insurance plans for our Northeast Ohio locations or learn more about purchasing a contracted managed care plan.
View All PlansAbout Lee Kirksey, MD
Lee Kirksey, MD, is a vascular surgeon in the Department of Vascular Surgery at Cleveland Clinic’s Sydell and Arnold Miller Family Heart, Vascular & Thoracic Institute. He is board certified in surgery with special qualifications in vascular surgery and is a registered vascular technologist.
Dr Kirksey received his appointment to the Cleveland Clinic medical staff in 2011. He holds the Walter W. Buckley endowed Vice Chair in The Department of Vascular Surgery at the Cleveland Clinic. A proud native of the Alliance, Ohio and a graduate of West Branch High School, Dr Kirksey voices pride in returning to and serving the people of the region. Prior to his appointment, Dr. Kirksey was assistant professor of surgery in The University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine and was on staff at the Penn Presbyterian Medical Center in Philadelphia, PA where he was director of advanced limb preservation therapies.
Specialty/Clinical Interests: Open Carotid artery endarterectomy, peripheral artery disease (PAD), bypass/endovascular and hybrid surgery for atherosclerosis for limb salvage, medical management of carotid artery stenosis, minimally invasive treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysm, endovascular treatment for thoracic aortic dissection, carotid artery stenting, reoperative and advanced dialysis access surgery, carotid artery stenting, primary and reoperative reconstruction of aortic occlusion, limb preservation procedures, wound care.
Number of Procedures Performed: Dr. Kirksey performs more than 500 to 600 index vascular procedures each year. He has performed more than 10,000 vascular procedures over the course of his career.
Success Rates: Cleveland Clinic’s Vascular Surgeons are national and international leaders in treating patients with even the most complicated cases, using the most advanced techniques. Much of our experience is in reoperative surgery for patients whose original operations were performed elsewhere. The department serves as a major referral center for these and other difficult cases throughout Ohio and the surrounding states. We have one of the largest post-graduate training programs in vascular surgery in the United States, and our academic work has been published in scientific journals throughout the world. Success rates for specific procedures are available at http://my.clevelandclinic.org/heart/about-heart-vascular-institute/treatment-outcomes.aspx
Education and Training: Dr. Kirksey is an Ohio native and received his undergraduate and medical degrees from The Ohio State University. He served his residency in general surgery at The Graduate Hospital, University of The University of Pennsylvania Healthcare System in Philadelphia and completed fellowships in vascular surgery at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, Newark, NJ, and in endovascular surgery at Mt. Sinai Medical Center, New York. He earned his MBA from NYU business school.
Publications and Speaking: Dr. Kirksey has published more than 100 papers in peer-reviewed journals, multiple book chapters and has participated in writing national guidelines papers on the topic of PAD. Topics include “Open aortic surgery volume experience at a regionalized referral center”. Dr Kirksey speaks extensively on the topics of complex treatment for peripheral artery disease, outcomes for aortic aneurysm and dissection, population health, value based healthcare and reducing barriers to care in cardiovascular and vascular disease for vulnerable populations. He is active in the education of healthcare providers, community members and policy makers about the early identification and best practice management of vascular disease.
He is a member of a number of professional societies, including the Society of Vascular Surgery, Midwestern Vascular Society, American College of Surgeons, Eastern Vascular Society, Society of Black Academic Surgeons, Society for Vascular Technology and Society for Clinical Vascular Surgery.
About Dr. Kirksey: “Untreated or undiagnosed vascular disease, whether it’s a stroke, a threatened limb, or an untreated abdominal aneurysm, can irreversibly change the lives of a patient and their family members. Providing patients with solutions that allow them to continue on with a productive life is incredibly rewarding especially for the Ohio community that I grew up in“
Leisure Activities: Dr. Kirksey is an avid sports fan and dedicated Ohio State University athletic supporter. He enjoys outdoor fitness activities.
Education & Professional Highlights
Appointed
2011
Education & Fellowships
Fellowship - Newark Beth Israel Medical Center
Vascular Surgery
Newark,
NJ
2001
Residency - The Graduate Hospital of the Universtiy of Pennsylvania
General Surgery
Philadelphia,
PA
1999
Internship - Aultman Hospital
Transitional Year (Family Medicine)
Canton,
OH
1994
Medical Education - The Ohio State University College of Medicine and Public Health
M.D.
Columbus,
OH
1993
Undergraduate - The Ohio State University
Zoology
Columbus,
OH
1989
Certifications
- Surgery - Vascular Surgery
- Vascular Technology
Specialty Interests
Carotid artery disease, peripheral artery disease, venous insufficiency, bypass surgery for atherosclerosis/PAD/PVD , carotid endarterectomy, carotid stenting, dialysis access surgery, endovascular repair of carotid artery disease, limb salvage, wound care
Research & Publications
See publications for Lee Kirksey, MD.
(Disclaimer: This search is powered by PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine. PubMed is a third-party website with no affiliation with Cleveland Clinic.)
Industry Relationships
Cleveland Clinic physicians and scientists may collaborate with the pharmaceutical or medical device industries to help develop medical breakthroughs or provide medical expertise or education. Cleveland Clinic strives to make scientific advances that will benefit patient care and support outside relationships that promise public benefit. In order for the discoveries of Cleveland Clinic physicians' and scientists' laboratories and investigations to benefit the public, these discoveries must be commercialized in partnership with industry. As experts in their fields, Cleveland Clinic physicians and scientists are often sought after by industry to consult, provide expertise and education.
To assure professional and commercial integrity in such matters, Cleveland Clinic maintains a program that reviews these collaborations and, when appropriate, puts measures in place to minimize bias that may result from ties to industry. Cleveland Clinic publicly discloses the names of companies when (i) its physicians/scientists receive $5,000 or more per year (or, in rare cases, equity or stock options) for speaking and consulting, (ii) its physicians/scientists serve as a fiduciary, (iii) its physicians/scientists receive or have the right to receive royalties or (iv) its physicians/ scientists hold any equity interest for the physician's/scientist's role as inventor, discoverer, developer, founder or consultant.* In publicly disclosing this information, Cleveland Clinic tries to provide information as accurately as possible about its physicians' and scientists' connections with industry.
As of 10/13/2024, Dr. Kirksey has reported no financial relationship with industry that is applicable to this listing. In general, patients should feel free to contact their doctor about any of the relationships and how the relationships are overseen by Cleveland Clinic. To learn more about Cleveland Clinic's policies on collaborations with industry and innovation management, go to our Integrity in Innovation page.
Public Health Service-Reportable Financial Conflicts of Interest. Cleveland Clinic scientists and physicians engage in basic, translational and clinical research activities, working to solve health problems, enhance patient care and improve quality of life for patients. Interactions with industry are essential to bringing the researchers' discoveries to the public, but can present the potential for conflicts of interest related to their research activities. Click here to view a listing of instances where Cleveland Clinic has identified a Public Health Service (PHS)-Reportable Financial Conflict of Interest and has put measures in place to ensure that, to the extent possible, the design, conduct and reporting of the research is free from bias.
* Cleveland Clinic physicians and scientists subscribe to the guidance presented in the PhRMA Code on Interactions with Healthcare Professionals and the AdvaMed Code of Ethics on Interactions with Health Care Professionals. As such, gifts of substantial value are generally prohibited.
232 Patient Satisfaction Reviews
The Patient Satisfaction Rating is an average of all responses to the care provider related questions shown below from our nationally-recognized Press Ganey Patient Satisfaction Survey. Patients that are treated in outpatient or hospital environments may receive different surveys, and the volume of responses will vary by question.
Responses are measured on a scale of 1 to 5 with 5 being the best score.
The comments are submitted by patients and reflect their views and opinions. The comments are not endorsed by and do not necessarily reflect the views of Cleveland Clinic.
| Overall | Star Ratings | |
|---|---|---|
| Explains | 4.8 | |
| Courtesy, Respect & Concern | 4.9 | |
| Patient Rating of Doctor | 4.9 |
32 Patient Comments
© 2025 The Cleveland Clinic Foundation. All Rights Reserved. No part of this work may be altered, reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, by any means, whether electronic, mechanical, by photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the Cleveland Clinic.
Reviewed on Jun 6, 2025
Thanks Dr.Kirksky and the vascular team for really take good care of me
Reviewed on May 28, 2025
The doctor was very down to earth and explained my opinions to where I understood them without any confusion. He explained the procedure and the inpatient recovery time, gave me a business card for any follow-up questions while I wait to make a final decision about moving forward. It was a very pleasant visit.
Reviewed on May 23, 2025
I'm very happy with Dr and his staff
Reviewed on May 21, 2025
Excellence. Dr. Kirksey and his team provide the best care for my mother and it is great to see and truly appreciated.
Reviewed on Apr 9, 2025
The doctor is a truly caring professional, that honestly cares about his patients
Reviewed on Mar 14, 2025
Highly recommend Dr Kirksey to everyone.
Reviewed on Feb 21, 2025
I will continue to recommend Dr. Kirksey
Reviewed on Feb 12, 2025
Dr Kirksey was thorough and explained clearly, as always.
Reviewed on Jan 31, 2025
Dr. Kirksey was very professional yet seemed caring, and was concerned when we informed him that no one spoke with my wife after the surgery about the procedure prior to us leaving. Dr. Kirksey had told me before I was put under that he would go find my wife and talk to here afterward the surgery.
Reviewed on Jan 30, 2025
All staff and Dr were amzomg . Highly satisfied
Reviewed on Jan 24, 2025
I have had no problems with the Dr. Nor with anyone else working with me. I was told of everything and also the reason.
Reviewed on Jan 22, 2025
The Dr was very helpful
Reviewed on Jan 17, 2025
Dr Kirksey is awesome He is very smart and easy to talk to with any concerns I have And his team is very good Thanks
Reviewed on Jan 17, 2025
Care providers are very helpful and I always have a good experience
Reviewed on Jan 17, 2025
Dr. Kirksey is great.
Reviewed on Jan 8, 2025
Dr. Kirksey and Staff were very personable and professional, as is the Cleveland Clinic in general.
Reviewed on Dec 20, 2024
Dr kirksey is the best! His people are high performers
Reviewed on Dec 6, 2024
Dr Kirksey is always very nice and explains as does is staff!!
Reviewed on Dec 4, 2024
Dr.Kurskey is excellent on these issues.
Reviewed on Nov 22, 2024
Dr. Kirksey & surgical team were outstanding.
Reviewed on Nov 20, 2024
The Doctor shows courtesy, integrity and commitment to his work. Thank you for being there
Reviewed on Nov 20, 2024
The virtual appointment was very helpful and the Doctor was very, very good at explaining where my condition. Thank you for being there
Reviewed on Nov 20, 2024
Professional,excellent communication skills, listens and responds promptly. Outstanding person and doctor.
Reviewed on Oct 9, 2024
Dr Kirksey always explains my tests and current situation while providing an action plan that is always in my best interest.
Reviewed on Oct 9, 2024
I have to recommended a few patients already: I am proud to be in the care of Dr Kirksey's team.
Reviewed on Sep 6, 2024
Dr. Kirksey is a very kind, professional and capable physician. I can't say enough about the care he has given me.
Reviewed on Aug 30, 2024
Doctor Kirksey is the best!
Reviewed on Aug 7, 2024
I liked the Dr. He did a good job at explaining things for me.
Reviewed on Jul 26, 2024
Other than the wait, he is an excellent provider.
Reviewed on Jul 5, 2024
Wonderful doctor, always so caring and understanding. He explains everything to you, always answers your questions
Reviewed on Jul 5, 2024
The fellow doctor was extremely helpful I was very impressed
Reviewed on Jul 3, 2024
Very good team of doctors and staff.