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In recognition of more than 30 years of health care service in the community, St. Joseph Regional Cancer Center named its main building in honor of the late J.C. Lee, M.D. a local pathologist and community leader. On June 20, 2003, family, friends, and physician colleagues attended a ceremony marking the one-year anniversary of Dr. Lee’s death to unveil the new name of the main building as the J.C. Lee, M.D. Pavilion. The pavilion is a part of the St. Joseph Regional Cancer Center in Bryan. Dr. Lee’s wife, Sue, explained that her husband cherished his relationship with St. Joseph Regional Health Center and felt he received outstanding care from the physicians and staff of the cancer center during his battle with cancer. Dr. Lee served as the Chief Pathologist for St. Joseph Regional Health Center for 23 years, from 1976 to 1999. During that time, he helped create a quality medical environment, which touched countless Brazos Valley residents. Born into a family of physicians in Taiwan, Dr. Lee was valedictorian of his high school, and graduated from the prestigious National Taiwan University. There he met a pharmacy school student named Shiu Mei, who wanted to study in America. Together, they followed their dream across the Pacific, and married in their adopted homeland. Ju Chin, "J.C.", and "Sue" immersed themselves in the educational environment of the University of Minnesota. Sue received a Masters in Biochemistry while J.C. did his internship and residency in pathology and pursued a Ph.D. in Genetics. After stops in New Jersey, Ohio and San Antonio, the Lees found their home in Bryan, a rapidly growing community where quality medical care was essential to continued expansion. Dr. Lee had found the perfect home for his scholarly zeal, offbeat sense of humor and his neighborly sense of old-fashioned gentility. His lighthearted approach never diminished the weight of the responsibility he felt toward patients who depended on him. He is remembered as extremely intelligent with an encyclopedic memory for cases he reviewed. Dr. Lee, and his wife, Sue, saw a need and decided to open outpatient laboratory facilities. Sue became a Registered Medical Technologist and served, as the Lab Director while Dr. Lee was the Medical Director. Their successful partnership ultimately resulted in three labs throughout the community. During this time, the Lees raised three children. Two boys, Alfred and Christopher, gifted with musical skills who also excelled academically became their dad’s pride and joy. Their daughter, Belinda, born with Down’s syndrome, became his heart. In striving to help their daughter achieve life’s fullest potential, the Lees helped others along the way as well. They were instrumental in beginning a Challenger Little League program so that children with special needs could enjoy the great American past time. In January of 2001, Dr. Lee was diagnosed with esophageal cancer. He approached the diagnosis with his usual desire for truth and relentless drive to succeed. The St. Joseph Regional Cancer Center was his choice for treatment. He and Sue understood the psychological benefits of care close to home. Despite valiant efforts and "fighting the good fight", Dr. Lee succumbed to the disease in June of 2002. The naming of the J.C. Lee, M.D. Pavilion came in recognition of Dr. Lee’s commitment to health care through the expansion of cancer services in the Brazos Valley and was supported by the Lee Family’s cornerstone gift to the St. Joseph Regional Cancer Center. The gift also serves as a significant contribution to the St. Joseph Health System Promise Campaign. The Promise Campaign is a two-year effort to raise more than $5 million in support of the expansion of St. Joseph Regional Health Center with the construction of a new Bed Tower, as well as the enhancement of other services and facilities throughout the St. Joseph Health System.
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Lee Family Pledges Cornerstone Gift to The Promise Campaign
