Van Buren County Hospital Welcomes Dr. James Lee as Emergency Department Medical Director
KEOSAUQUA, Iowa — Van Buren County Hospital is pleased to welcome James J. Lee, D.O., a board-certified emergency medicine physician, as the new Medical Director of the Emergency Department.
Dr. Lee joins VBCH as the hospital prepares for the departure of Dr. William Felegi, who has served as a trusted and familiar presence in the Emergency Department and throughout the community. While Dr. Felegi will certainly be missed, VBCH is proud to continue its commitment to high-quality emergency care with the addition of Dr. Lee and his extensive background in emergency medicine, trauma care and critical care.
As Emergency Department Medical Director, Dr. Lee will oversee the clinical aspects of the Emergency Department, working closely with the VBCH emergency care team to support safe, timely and compassionate care for patients of all ages.
Dr. Lee brings a strong background in leadership and emergency care to Van Buren County Hospital. Originally from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, he earned his undergraduate degree from the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science before completing his medical education at the Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine.
He also served 27 years in the United States Army, where he received advanced training and gained valuable experience in academic medical settings. Throughout his career, Dr. Lee has helped critical access hospitals achieve important milestones, including stroke center designation and trauma status. He has also contributed to the development of trauma protocols designed to support efficient, effective emergency care.
Dr. Lee is passionate about bringing the same level of expertise, precision and compassion often associated with larger medical centers to rural communities. His goal is to ensure that patients in Van Buren County and the surrounding area continue to receive exceptional emergency care close to home.
“We know how important it is for our community to feel confident in the care available here when an emergency happens,” said Garen Carpenter/CEO. “Dr. Lee’s leadership, experience and dedication to rural healthcare will be an incredible asset to our Emergency Department and to the patients we serve.”
Outside of his work in medicine, Dr. Lee enjoys fishing and running. He and his wife, Elaine, have been married for more than 31 years and have raised three sons.
Van Buren County Hospital remains committed to providing dependable, high-quality emergency services close to home—24 hours a day, seven days a week. Please join us in welcoming Dr. Lee to the VBCH family and our community.