Lee Ponsky

TEDxCLE 2015 Talk

Biography

Lee attended Shaker Heights High School, University of Rochester as an undergraduate and then Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. He completed his residency and fellowship’s in Urologic Oncology and then Advanced Laparoscopy at Cleveland Clinic. Lee is currently an Associate Professor of Urology at University Hospitals, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, and is the Leo and Charlotte Goldberg Chair in Advanced Surgical Therapies, and the Chief of the Division of Urologic Oncology. He has over 80 publications and textbook chapters, and has been an invited visiting professor internationally. Lee recently founded Ink On Ink Off a tattoo removal company and Walden Medical an IP/medical device company.

Lee has received numerous accolades for his medical contributions as well as his role as the founder of MedWish International in 1993,  a not-for-profit organization that saves lives by repurposing discarded medical supplies and equipment to provide humanitarian aid in developing countries.   Recognitions include; U.S. Congressional Recognition, Crains Forty under Forty, as one of Northeast Ohio’s most influential people under the age of 40, Cleveland Upstander: Portraits of Courage, the recipient of the Golden Doc Award, from the Arnold P. Gold Foundation, the Rescuer of Humanity Award from Project Love, which recognizes and honors an individual or an organization of national or international stature, which has chosen to use their leadership beyond professional or institutional requirements to positively change the course of humanity. He has also been recognized by the Manhattan Institute in New York with the The Richard Cornuelle Award for Social Entrepreneurship, for originating and effectively implemented a new nonprofit organization providing direct services to those in need. He was recognized by Smart Business as the nonprofit board executive of the year and also received the University Hospitals Case Medical Center, Urology Institute Faculty Teaching Award from his students and residents, for recognition of outstanding commitment and efforts to student and resident teaching. Lee also serves as a founding board member of the non-profit MedWorks, which provides free healthcare to the uninsured and underinsured.  Lee and his wife Monica have three children, Ilan, Eric, and Maiya.

Contact Info:

• Email: Lee.ponsky@gmail.com
• Medwish.org
• Inkoninkoff.com
• Uhhospitals.org