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Jayanthi Lea, M.D.

Jayanthi Lea, M.D.

Titles and Appointments

Interim Vice-Chair of Clinical Operations, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology

Professor & Division Chief

Endowed Title
Patricia Duniven Fletcher Distinguished Professorship in Gynecological Oncology
School
Medical School
Department
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Graduate Programs
Biomedical Engineering

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For more information on the doctor and patient care, please visit the clinical profile.

  • Biography

    Dr. Jayanthi Lea is the DIvision Chief of Gynecologic Oncology and the Director of the Gynecologic Oncology Fellowship Program, in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at UT Southwestern.

    Board certified both in gynecologic oncology and in obstetrics and gynecology, Dr. Lea is skilled in radical surgical procedures for gynecologic cancers, including cytoreductive surgery for ovarian/ fallopian tube cancers, radical pelvic surgery and minimally invasive, robotic surgery and advanced laparoscopic surgery. Dr. Lea is the Disease Oriented Team Leader for Gynecologic Oncology at the Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center and utilizes a team approach to coordinate and provide comprehensive patient care. She is also the physician champion for the Gynecologic Oncology Previvor Program. Dr. Lea is committed to supporting patients facing gynecologic cancers through every step of their cancer journey, from diagnosis to treatment and beyond.

    Dr. Lea is dedicated to advancing the field of gynecologic oncology through research and education.  She is a member of the National Cancer Institute’s NRG Oncology and Gynecologic Oncology Group (GOG) Foundation/ Partners and serves on the ovarian, cervical and developmental therapeutics subcommittees.

    Dr. Lea graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a bachelors of science degree in biology. She received her medical degree from East Carolina University School of Medicine and completed her residency training in obstetrics and gynecology at Riverside Methodist Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. Following a four-year gynecologic oncology fellowship at UT Southwestern Medical Center, she joined the faculty here as a scholar of the NIH Reproductive Scientist Development Program.  Dr. Lea investigated the molecular pathogenesis of cervical cancer. Her clinical research interests are in the development of clinical trials for ovarian and cervical cancers using novel therapeutic agents and her basic research interest is in early detection methods for ovarian cancer. She has published several peer reviewed manuscripts on cervical, endometrial and ovarian cancers as well as quality improvement studies in gynecologic oncology. 

  • Education
    Medical School
    East Carolina University (1996)
    Internship
    Riverside Methodist Hospital (1997), Obstetrics & Gynecology
    Residency
    Riverside Methodist Hospital (2000), Obstetrics & Gynecology
    Other Post Graduate Training
    UT Southwestern (2004)
    Fellowship
    UT Southwestern Medical Center (2004), Gynecologic Oncology
  • Research Interest
    • Cervical Cancer
    • Developmental Therapeutics
    • Ovarian Cancer
  • Publications

    Star Featured Publications

    Featured Featured Featured Featured Featured Featured Featured Featured Featured
    Prognostic indicators of recurrence and treatment-free interval in uterine carcinosarcoma.
    Vintzileos W, Beer H, Sunkara Y, Pruszynski J, Lea J, Gynecol Oncol 2025 Jun 198 154-160
  • Books

    Featured 

  • Honors & Awards
    • Fellow
      American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (2006)
    • Reproductive Scientist Development Program Scholar
      NIH K12 Award (2006)
    • Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society
    • Best Doctors in America
    • Best Doctors in Dallas
    • Best Doctors in North Carolina
    • Best in Category Research Award
      American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinical Meeting
    • James F. Nolan Award for Best Scientific Presentation
      Western Association of Gynecologic Oncology
    • Texas Super Doctors
    • Texas Super Doctors
      Texas Monthly
  • Professional Associations/Affiliations
    • American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology
    • American College of Surgeons (2017)
    • American Society of Clinical Oncology
    • Gynecologic Oncology Group
    • NRG Oncology (2015)
    • Society of Gynecologic Oncology