Elisabeth McLemore

About Elisabeth McLemore

Elisabeth (Lisa) C. McLemore, MD, FACS, FASCRS, is a Clinical Professor and nationally recognized leader in innovative, advanced minimally invasive, and robotic colorectal surgery at Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Medical Center. A longstanding SAGES member, she currently serves as Chair of the SAGES Colorectal Surgery Committee (since 2022) and previously as Co-Chair of the SAGES Continuing Education Committee (2013–2019). Dr. McLemore has been faculty for multiple LapCoTT (Laparoscopic Colectomy Train-the-Trainer) and ADOPT programs and has led hands-on courses in intracorporeal anastomosis, robotic colorectal surgery, TAMIS, and taTME techniques. Recognized with the 2024 SAGES Member Spotlight for more than two decades of service and the 2014 SAGES Foundation Gerald Marks Rectal Cancer Award, Dr. McLemore remains passionately committed to advancing surgical innovation and the widespread adoption of minimally invasive colorectal surgery through mentorship, leadership, education, research, and collaborative initiatives within SAGES, ACS, and ASCRS.Dr. McLemore has authored over 70 peer-reviewed publications focused on advancing minimally invasive and robotic colorectal surgery. Her major research contributions include oncologic and functional outcomes following rectal cancer minimally invasive surgery, anastomotic leak detection and diverting ostomy alternative devices (SAFE-2 and SAFE-3 Heal clinical trials), enhanced recovery protocols and intracorporeal anastomosis in minimally invasive colectomy, and perfusion assessment in low anterior resection (PILLAR Her work has directly informed SAGES educational content, consensus guidelines, and clinical practice in complex minimally invasive and endoluminal colorectal procedures.

Experience

1. Colorectal Surgeon

   Kaiser Permanente

   Jul 2014 — Present

   Mission Statement: Indomitable spirit for innovation and advancement in the fields of colorectal surgery, endoscopy, and minimally invasive and robotic surgery by delivering compassionate, high quality, timely, and clinically relevant surgical care- Perpetual Reflection,\"what could we have done to make it even better?\"- Innovation Interests: eTAMIS, taTME for rectal cancer (transanal TME), Robotic and TAMIS proctectomy with or without ileal j pouch for ulcerative colitis, fluorescence angiography, quality outcome improvements following colorectal surgical operations and procedures, enhanced recovery programs (home recovery / same day discharge during COVID-19 pandemic).

Education

• Mayo Clinic Arizona General Surgery Residency

  General Surgery Residency Program

  2001 — 2007

• University of Virginia School of Medicine

  Doctor of Medicine (M.D.)

  1997 — 2001

• University of California, Irvine

  Bachelor's degree

  1992 — 1997

Skills

• Trans Anal Minimally Invasive Surgery
• Endoscopy
• Colorectal Cancer
• Clinical Research
• Cancer
• Laparoscopic Surgery
• Colorectal
• General Surgery
• Healthcare
• Board Certified
• Medical Research
• Robotic Surgery
• Rectal Prolapse
• Surgery
• Medicine
• Hospitals
• Medical Education
• Internal Medicine
• Healthcare Management
• Ulcerative Colitis
• Diverticulitis
• Colorectal Surgery
• Inflammatory Bowel Disease