L. Lee Hamm, MD

Senior Vice President and Dean School of Medicine at Tulane University TulaneDoctors.com With 2023 marking the 10th anniversary of L. Lee Hamm, MD’s tenure as Sr. VP and Dean, School of Medicine at Tulane University, it is an ideal time to connect with the internationally respected clinician and leader. Hamm first joined Tulane in 1992 as director of Tulane’s Nephrology and Hypertension Section. He rapidly became a leader in kidney disease research, where his dedication to mentorship and public service solidified his position as an authority in the field. Throughout his 30 years at Tulane, Hamm has championed the school’s foundational aspects of Education, Patient Care, and Research, all of which focus on healing entire communities. Having deftly stewarded Tulane Medicine through events such as Hurricane Katrina, COVID and Hurricane Ida, Hamm is now proud to lead the medical school through a transformative period. The new partnership between Tulane University School of Medicine and LCMC Health stands poised to improve access to high-quality healthcare for people across the Gulf South by combining the academic excellence of Tulane with a local clinical enterprise partner that is equally committed to the people they serve. This collaboration is expected to bring numerous benefits, including expanded service locations in the city, access to the latest and best medical care, and new job opportunities in Louisiana. By combining resources and expertise, Tulane and LCMC Health will be better positioned to address the healthcare needs of the community and improve the overall health and well-being of the region. “Both organizations have forward-thinking, dedicated staff who are passionate leaders in serving the people of the community they live in themselves,” says Hamm. “Together, our ultimate goal is caring for patients with the latest medical advances that are delivered with an unparalleled service mindset.” The partnership coincides with major developments in downtown New Orleans. Tulane University is transforming a portion of Charity Hospital to create a new home for research, teaching, and administration for the School of Medicine. Across the street, Tulane Medical Center will be renovated, creating more space for research labs, clinics, classrooms, and a new nursing program to address the critical shortage of nurses. These developments are expected to create over 2,300 new jobs and improve the urban infrastructure of the area.

“As leaders in healthcare, it’s our duty to not only advance medical knowledge and provide quality care, but to uplift the communities we are privileged to serve. Our partnership with LCMC Health will allow us to provide greater access to the future of medicine that is being developed by Tulane physicians and scientists every day. I’m proud to be part of a medical community that prioritizes education, patient care, and research, and is committed to making a meaningful impact in our society,” says Hamm.

Hamm has received recognition from the National Institutes of Health, the American Heart Association, the National Kidney Foundation, and the Spirit of Charity Foundation. A role model to his colleagues, students and staff, Hamm lives the motto of “Not for oneself, but for one’s own” and encourages the entire Tulane Medicine community to continue to integrate community and public service into everything they do. He credits his mission-driven colleagues, teachers and physicians, as well as Tulane’s students and residents, for inspiring and motivating him daily.