Dr. Hugh Lee Durham

Lee was a graduate of Aiken Preparatory, Woodberry Forest ’68, Georgia State, and Emory School of Nursing. He was among the first certified EMT in Georgia. Lee received his MD from the American University of the Caribbean, Monserrat; completed his clinicals at Royal Hospital of London, Whitechapel, UK; his residency in Internal Medicine at the Medical Center of Central Georgia; and his Infectious Disease fellowship at Ochsner, New Orleans.

Caring for his patients was the most important part of his life. He took time to get to know his patients and their families. He relished complex cases that challenged his superb diagnostic skills. Lee would do whatever necessary to help his patients navigate the insurance gauntlet. Most important to Lee was to provide all his patients with the best medical care regardless of their insurance status.

When his friends and family needed help, medical advice, or a comforting visit in the hospital, he was always there.

Lee was a raft guide on the Chattooga for Southeastern Expeditions and was involved, against his will, in naming one the rapids. The customers in his raft turned out to be chemically compromised and Lee had to navigate them through Five Falls and across Tugaloo Reservoir, single handed, while keeping them inside the raft. The guides renamed former Possum Drop to Quaalude Falls to commemorate this event.

Lee bicycled the same way he paddled and practiced medicine, with gusto. He loved riding at night – he was an ace as no motorist ever tagged him! When Lee wanted to pause for just a minute, he enjoyed bird watching.

Hugh Lee leaves behind his sister Lucinda D Willard, brother Bryant, nephews, and nieces. He is predeceased by his parents and brother Lawrence. We cherish Lee’s brilliance, his quirky sense of humor, and we will miss him dearly.