SPRINGFIELD – Led by the expertise of Dr. K. Francis Lee, Advanced Vein Care at 3640 Main St. is celebrating their 15-year anniversary of specialized medical care.

Lee spoke to Reminder Publishing about his history in medicine and his tenure running Advanced Vein Care. Growing up with an affinity for science, Lee said his first interest in the medical field developed in high school. “I liked everything that went with being a physician, in terms of being able to do something positive for people and having a stable job position…It seemed to be the perfect position for me,” said Lee.

After graduating from Stanford University and receiving medical degrees from Harvard Medical School, Duke University Medical Center and Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center, Lee began to work as the Chief of Trauma Services at Baystate Medical Center. While he said he enjoyed the job’s academic environment, Lee started searching for more autonomy. “I became interested in private practice. I wanted more control of my surgical practice,” said Lee.

Part of what defines Advanced Vein Care is its specialized role in the community. Lee said vein diseases are an overlooked facet of medicine despite their commonality. “The vein diseases in the lower extremities are very common. The symptoms range significantly from little discomfort to having severe, disabling pain,” said Lee.

Despite vein disease’s prevalence, Lee explained that intricate knowledge about treating them is scarce. “There’s a relative lack of knowledge about it among both the general population and among physicians. My office often gets a lot of referrals about it,” said Lee. He also said most vein diseases, including blood clots and venous insufficiency, are preventable if patients receive proper care.

Advanced Vein Care treats patients with a variety of needs, with Lee stating that venous insufficiency ranks as the most common ailment. “Over the years, the unmet needs of venous treatments are so high that treating vein disease sort of took over my practice,” said Lee.

In his 15 years of operation, Lee garnered the first Intersocietal Accreditation Commission (IAC) in the state and the second among New England vein specialists, with the IAC allowing the office to get reimbursed by insurance companies for vein treatments. Lee reflected with pride on what he and his employees have accomplished with Advanced Vein Care.

“For the most part, it’s a very joyful place. There’s a very positive energy and positive environment, it’s something patients notice right when they walk in. I think that is what we are most pleased about,” said Lee.