Name: Anthony (Tony) Lee, MD
Age: 46
Title: Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Physician and Owner of Synergy Rehabilitation and Wellness Center
Married/Single: Married to Judy Lee
Kids: Sophie (9 going on 20)-blood cancer survivor, 3 years post transplant!
City you live in: Scottsdale
A typical day in my life includes…
let’s see, this has changed obviously with the different phases of my AZ life. The routine was different prior to a child, prior to a puppy and now prior to a new business. Anyway here it goes…make breakfast for the family, start seeing patients first thing in the AM while being interrupted to talk to insurance companies for patient care. This continues into the afternoon except for when I am doing interventional spine procedures to help patients in pain. Then it’s home for dinner with the family. Fortunately or unfortunately I am an not in charge of homework. Luckily though I get bath time duties! Then it is back to working on the business side of medicine while at home…there may be a glass of wine while at my desk for this though.
I was born…
in Bronx, NY. One of my fondest memories as a child was visiting my grandmother in NY. We would get off the subway, grab a slice of pizza and eat it while walking to her house.
My favorite thing about Arizona…
being outside! I lived in Philly prior to AZ. I love the food and people there but I like being able to get outside all year round. Summers in AZ do not bother me at all. When you grow up in the Georgia where it’s 90 degrees with high humidity, being in AZ at 110 degrees really isn’t that bad. Well, I guess 120 degrees is 120 degrees no matter how you look at it.
I’m listening to…
sports talk radio. I am a big sports fan so I get it while I can.
My family…
has become more important to me every day. With what has happened to my daughter we as a family cannot take anything for granted.
If I could have dinner with anyone, it would be…
my paternal grandfather. I never had the chance to meet him.
One thing I cannot live without…
family and friends. I am a very social person overall and being around others makes me happy. I don’t really have an object that I take with me everywhere.
When I was younger, I wanted to be…
a Veterinarian. My mom still remembers me saying that and tells anyone that asks her.
I’m inspired by…
my daughter and all of the other kids battling cancer.
The one person who motivates me is…
outside of my family which is why I work as hard as I do, I would have to say myself. My parents have always taught me to work hard so I have that drive inside of me to do what I can to be the best.
The perfect day would be…
I would have to say April 25, because it’s not too hot and it’s not too cold. All you need is a light jacket.
My first job was…
teaching tennis. Did I tell you that I have played tennis since I was 6 years old? I used to be pretty good.
My favorite escape…
any travel to a city where I can try new food and experiences.
My life…
lately, is truly is a roller coaster. As I tell my patients, there will be ups and downs but we want the trend overall to be going up.
I’m currently working on…
organizing a golf tournament in honor of my daughter benefiting the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
Always…
think ahead.
Never…
forget who you are and those that supported you on your way.
Favorite Quote…
“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.”-Dr Seuss, The Lorax. Can’t go wrong with a fellow Dartmouth alum.
Biggest Dream…
having as much of a stress free lifestyle as possible.
My Pet Peeve(s)…
unfortunately I have a few. But I guess it would be people that are oblivious to others around them or just do not think of others, whether it be in the middle of a grocery aisle or on the road.
More about Anthony…
I am the youngest of three children. We are the stereotypical Asian family…all 3 of us are doctors. Actually my dad, brother, and sister are radiologists. I am the only one that is not a radiologist. Although I was born in NY, I moved to Georgia at the age of 2. I consider myself a Southerner for sure. I grew up in a small town of 6,000 people with 2 traffic lights. I commuted 1 hour to go to high school. I was fortunate enough to go to Dartmouth College for my undergraduate. I came back home for medical school, which was 2 blocks away from where I went to high school. After completing my residency in the specialty of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, my wife and I moved to AZ in 2004. After 14 years with the same medical practice I started my own practice (Synergy Rehabilitation and Wellness Center) in August 2018 and couldn’t be happier. The medical landscape is drastically changing and I wanted to make sure that I was helping to shape the future. My practice’s tagline is “Live in Motion.” As a person, you can improve personally, professionally and health-wise as long as you are moving forward. I think it is important for patients to help themselves by staying active. I am happy to be a part of the journey of my patients and my new staff
