Popular Guyanese surgeon Dr Wallace Irving Lee, known as Dr Bud Lee, died at the Woodlands Hospital on Saturday. He was 87 years old.
Dr Wallace Irving Lee, known as Dr Bud Lee (Woodlands Hospital photo)
In a newsletter published by the Woodlands Hospital, it was stated that Dr Lee, or as he is known by his friends and colleagues as “Bud”, was a consultant surgeon at Woodlands Hospital. He was also a Director of the Hospital, and had been at that institution since its inception.
He was born in Georgetown on July 14, 1932, and was one of his parents’ three sons. His primary education was obtained at the Christ Church Primary School, and his secondary schooling was obtained at Queen’s College, where he had the distinction of being “Head Boy”.
He did medicine at the University of the West Indies and his FRCS in Edinburgh…he has represented Guyana in Squash and Badminton. He was also called for trials for Guyana’s cricket side, but…it was the same time that he had to attend the University. He played Squash up to the time of his demise. When he returned to Guyana, he worked as a Consultant in Surgery at P.H.G, the newsletter stated.
Dr Lee, the newsletter stated as it fondly remembers that at that time he had to do all specialities in surgery, including Orthopaedics, Urology and Neurology.
He had also worked at Prasad’s Hospital, Medical Arts Centre and St Joseph’s Mercy Hospital. His vision for Woodlands had been to provide the best possible service for its patients, the newsletter detailed.
His contribution to Medicine in Guyana was recognized by the Government, who awarded him the Golden Arrowhead of Achievement (A.A.) and later the Cacique Crown of Honour (C.C.H.). He was also recognized by his peers for his contribution to surgery when he received an award given by ‘The institute of Medicine, GPHC’.
