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
Fellowship
UT Southwestern Medical Center (2004), Gynecologic Oncology

Research Interest

  • Cervical Cancer
  • Developmental Therapeutics
  • Ovarian Cancer

Publications

Featured Publications LegendFeatured Publications

Secondary Cytoreductive Surgery for Platinum Sensitive Ovarian Cancer
Schorge JO, Wingo SN, Bhore R, Hefferenan TP, Lea JS Int. Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics November 2009

Honors & Awards

  • Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society
    (2023)
  • Best Doctors in Dallas
    (2018)
  • Texas Super Doctors
    (2017)
  • Texas Super Doctors 2017, 2018
    Texas Monthly (2017-2018)
  • Best Doctors in America
    (2009)
  • Best Doctors in North Carolina
    (2009)
  • Best in Category Research Award
    American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinical Meeting (2007)
  • Fellow
    American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (2006)
  • Reproductive Scientist Development Program Scholar
    NIH K12 Award (2006)

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