Emergency icon Important Updates
Department Vascular Surgery
Primary Location Cleveland Clinic Main Campus
Type of Doctor Adults Only
Languages English
Surgeon Yes
Locations
Cleveland Clinic Main Campus
Primary Location

Cleveland Clinic Main Campus

Appointment:
216.444.4508
Fax:
216.636.4915
Specialties & Treatments

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
View all 12 Treatment & Services +

Specialty in Diseases & Conditions

  • Carotid Artery Aneurysm
  • Carotid Artery Disease
  • Cerebrovascular Disease
  • Peripheral Artery Disease
  • Venous Insufficiency
  • Venous Leg Ulcers
  • Venous Stasis Leg Ulcers
View all 7 Specialties +
Insurance

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 Plans
Biography

About 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 health disparities 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

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

  • Vascular Technology
  • Surgery - Vascular Surgery

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

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

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 the financial relationships with the companies listed below. 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.

Patient Satisfaction Reviews

223 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
4.8 out of 5
Explains 4.8
Listens 4.4
Courtesy, Respect & Concern 4.9
Patient Rating of Doctor 4.9

25 Patient Comments

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.

Reviewed on May 17, 2024

Dr. Kirksey was right on time, professional, knowledgeable and courteous!

Reviewed on Apr 26, 2024

Dr Kirksey is wonderful

Reviewed on Apr 26, 2024

Again, great doctors and nurses, not so good staff.

Reviewed on Apr 19, 2024

Good, did not have to wait a long time, everything went as scheduled. Doctor and nurses do a great job.

Reviewed on Apr 19, 2024

Terrific Doctor and staff

Reviewed on Apr 17, 2024

Dr. Kerksey was very kind and considerate took his time with me. Willow and Matt were very nice.

Reviewed on Apr 17, 2024

I have been coming to Cleveland from Winston-Salem North Carolina for over five years the first couple years twice a year and now once a year I have received nothing but courteous, polite people who seem to really know their job. I am very pleased with Cleveland clinic I drive a long way to see my good doctors and a good service, and I feel very secure with my medical reports.

Reviewed on Apr 12, 2024

Dr Kirksey was wonderful!

Reviewed on Apr 10, 2024

Dr Kirksey was much more attentive and caring than any of the many specialists I have seen. I felt like he actually evaluated me individually, not just as a test to be run that day.

Reviewed on Mar 25, 2024

I did my research before the operation for my AAA. I found the doctor Kirksey and his staff among the highest recommended, and I felt very confident in their care.

Reviewed on Mar 15, 2024

Dr. Kirksey saved my life. He is the best doctor that I have ever had. I have recommended him to many people.

Reviewed on Mar 8, 2024

Dr. Kirksey is awesome.

Reviewed on Feb 16, 2024

Dr. Kirksey is very approachable, knowledgeable , and considerate. I thought he was excellent.

Reviewed on Jan 17, 2024

Absolutely would recommend Dr. Kirksey!

Reviewed on Dec 6, 2023

All nurses & Doctors were very kind & answer my questions about my condition Very knowledgeable

Reviewed on Dec 6, 2023

I felt a little better after talking about myCondition with the doctor's & nurses

Back to Top