I went to medical school at the University of Illinois at Rockford and then completed the primary care internal medicine residency and geriatrics fellowship at UCSF. I also completed the VA Quality Scholars fellowship receiving advanced training in healthcare quality from the San Francisco VA and obtained a Master's degree in clinical research from UCSF in 2006.

I joined the faculty of the UCSF Division of Geriatrics in July 2007. I am a clinician-researcher, devoting 75% effort on research and 25% effort caring for hospitalized elders at the SFVA and the SF General Hospital. My research interests include life expectancy, quality measurement and geriatric diabetes. I am currently funded by the Hartford Geriatrics Health Outcomes Research Scholars Award and the UCSF KL2 program.

1. Life Expectancy: I'm interested in discovering the most important predictors of health outcomes. My previous work suggests that functional limitations are a powerful predictor of mortality, especially among the oldest old. I'm currently exploring whether newer tests can improve our ability to predict mortality and functional decline in older Americans.
   
   
2. Quality Measurement: I'm interested in how to improve quality indicators so that they reflect the quality of care provided. For older Americans with many chronic conditions, there are many quality indicators with overlapping and sometimes contradictory recommendations. I'm currently exploring how to improve quality measurement in complex older adults.
   
   
3. Geriatrics Diabetes: Because previous studies of diabetes have generally focused on younger, healthier subjects, there are many questions regarding the optimal management of older patients with diabetes. I am currently exploring the association between glycemic control and outcomes such as mortality, functional decline, incontinence, falls and cognitive decline in frail, nursing home eligible subjects enrolled at On Lok Senior Health.
   
   

1. Lee SJ, Lindquist K, Segal MR, Covinsky KE. Development and validation of a prognostic index for 4-year mortality in older adults. JAMA. 2006 Feb 15;295(7):801-8.


2. Lee SJ, Newman TB. Conventional vs. atypical antipsychotic medications - Letter. N Engl J Med. 2006 Mar 2;354(9):972-4; author reply 972-4.


3. Lee SJ, Moody-Ayers SY, Landefeld CS, Walter LC, Lindquist K, Segal MR, Covinsky KE. The Relationship Between Self-Rated Health and Mortality in Black and White Americans. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2007 Oct;55(10):1624-9.


4. Lee SJ, Go AS, Lindquist K, Bertenthal DB, Covinsky KE. Chronic Conditions are Less Predictive of Mortality in the Oldest Old. Am J Public Health. 2008 Jul; 98(7): 1209-14. Epub 2008 May 29.


5. Lee SJ, Sudore RL, Williams BA, Lindquist K, Chen HL, Covinsky KE. Functional Limitations, Socioeconomic Status and All-Cause Mortality in Moderate Drinkers. J Am Geriatr Soc. In press.


6. Walter LC, Lindquist K, Nugent S, Schult T, Lee SJ, Casadei MA, Partin MR. Impact Of Age And Comorbidity On Colorectal Cancer Screening Among Older Veterans. Ann Intern Med. In press.