Nov. 7, 2025 — Lee Health is pleased to welcome Dr. Michael Lipinski as the new Director of Research for the Lee Health Heart Institute. A cardiologist who specializes in cardiovascular disease and interventional cardiology, Dr. Lipinski has over twelve years of experience and has authored or coauthored fourteen book chapters and more than 140 peer-reviewed manuscripts. He also serves on editorial boards and as a reviewer for numerous medical journals.
Dr. Lipinski will be responsible for leading the growing cardiovascular clinical research program at the Lee Health Heart Institute. He is also a practicing physician who brings expertise in outpatient cardiac genetics and ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), a severe type of heart attack.
“We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Michael Lipinski to the Lee Health Heart Institute,” said Dr. Daniel O’Hair, chief physician executive of the Lee Health Heart Institute. “With his extensive research background and clinical expertise across multiple cardiology subspecialties, he aligns with our mission to provide exceptional care to our patients. Dr. Lipinski will elevate the Lee Health Heart Institute’s offerings, spearhead the growth of our cardiovascular clinical research program, drive innovation, and improve the health and well-being of patients throughout Southwest Florida and beyond.”
Before joining Lee Health, Dr. Lipinski served as an interventional cardiologist and cardiac ICU attending at MedStar Washington Hospital Center, where he helped run a preclinical and translational research lab developing novel immune-modulatory therapies and test novel cardiac devices and stents for industry partners. He later served as an interventional cardiologist with Cardiovascular Associates of Charlottesville in Virginia, specializing in the treatment of coronary artery disease, acute myocardial infarction, inflammation, and genetic vascular diseases.
Dr. Lipinski started doing cardiology research on exercise treadmill testing at the age of 18 at the Palo Alto VA Medical Center while he attended college at Stanford University, where he also played water polo. Dr. Lipinski continued clinical cardiology research during medical school at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond. He spent a dedicated year during medical school as a Stanley J. Sarnoff Fellow in Cardiovascular Research working at Mount Sinai Health System in New York City, where he helped develop techniques to perform targeted magnetic resonance imaging of macrophages in atherosclerotic plaque.
Dr. Lipinski completed an internal medicine residency and cardiology fellowship in the combined American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) Research Track at the University of Virginia, during which he conducted three years of research and earned his doctorate degree in Physiology, investigating the role of B lymphocytes in atherosclerosis.
Dr. Lipinski completed his interventional cardiology training at Medstar Washington Hospital Center, where he continued his research.
“It is a privilege to join the Lee Health Heart Institute and contribute to its mission of advancing cardiovascular medicine in Southwest Florida,” said Dr. Lipinski. “Lee Health’s commitment to clinical excellence and innovative research provides an exceptional foundation to grow the cardiovascular research program. I look forward to working with the Institute’s team to drive advancements in patient care and cardiovascular health across the region.”
To learn more about the Lee Health Heart Institute, please visit https://www.leehealth.org/our-services/cardiovascular-services.
About Lee Health
Lee Health has been a cornerstone of health care in Southwest Florida since opening its first hospital in 1916. As a non-profit, integrated health system, Lee Health is dedicated to providing high-quality, compassionate care to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay. With a strong commitment to community health and wellness, Lee Health commits to evolving with the growing and changing needs of the region. The system offers comprehensive services through four acute care hospitals, Golisano Children’s Hospital, three skilled nursing locations, outpatient facilities, urgent care centers, and a wide network of primary care and specialty practices. Lee Health supports every step of the health journey, from preventive care to advanced treatment for every member of our community. Learn more at www.LeeHealth.org.
