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Walter T Lee

Professor of Head and Neck Surgery & Communication Sciences
Head & Neck Surgical Oncology
Duke South Yellow Zone 4000, DUMC Box 3805, Durham, NC 27710
40 Medicine Circle, DUMC Box 3805, Durham, NC 27710

Overview


Global Health, Virtue-Based Professional Development and Leadership, Device Development for Cancer Detection, otolaryngology, ENT, Head and Neck Cancer

Current Appointments & Affiliations


Professor of Head and Neck Surgery & Communication Sciences · 2023 - Present Head & Neck Surgical Oncology, Head and Neck Surgery & Communication Sciences
Professor in Radiation Oncology · 2020 - Present Radiation Oncology, Clinical Science Departments
Member of the Duke Cancer Institute · 2012 - Present Duke Cancer Institute, Institutes and Centers
Affiliate, Duke Global Health Institute · 2019 - Present Duke Global Health Institute, University Institutes and Centers

In the News


Published June 18, 2021
The $600 Medical Device from Duke That Could Help Doctors Detect Throat Cancer

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Recent Publications


Healthcare at Its Foundations

Chapter · May 2, 2026 This chapter argues that meaningful healthcare reform requires returning to foundational questions about purpose and structure rather than incremental system adjustments. Three critical fractures impede reform: eroding public trust (declining from ... Full text Cite

Foundations in Practice

Chapter · May 2, 2026 This chapter examines how foundational worldview questions and a structured strategy development process translate into practical healthcare transformation. Through three detailed case studies, the chapter demonstrates how identity, purpose, moral ... Full text Cite

Comparison of ENLYT®, a Portable Flexible Nasopharyngoscope, with the Standard of Care Nasopharyngoscope.

Journal Article Surg Innov · December 2025 ObjectivesThis study seeks to compare a newly developed portable flexible nasopharyngoscope (ENLYT®) to the standard of care (SOC) flexible nasopharyngoscope.MethodsSubjects were consented to undergo a nasopharyngeal scope exam using ENLYT® after SOC nasop ... Full text Link to item Cite
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Recent Grants


Adapting a machine learning algorithm to predict thyroid cytopathologyin LMIC

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by National Cancer Institute · 2021 - 2027

Otolaryngology Surgeon- Scientist career Path (OSSP) program

Inst. Training Prgm or CMEMentor · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2022 - 2027

RAPID System for Early Detection of Head and Neck Cancer in Low-Resource Settings

ResearchCo-Principal Investigator · Awarded by National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research · 2022 - 2027

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Education


Duke University · 2015 M.H.S.
The George Washington University · 1999 M.D.