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A Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Lehigh University, Dr. Gail Lese earned a B.A. with Honors in Philosophy and Biology. She earned an M.D. from Cornell University Medical College, and did her medical internship in Pediatric Medicine and training in Pediatric Neurological Surgery at the Childrens Hospital of Los Angeles. She practiced medicine in Los Angeles as a pediatric physician, treating patients in private practice and as a physician for the Los Angeles County Juvenile Court Health System. As a volunteer physician at the Los Angeles Free Clinic, she provided health care to homeless and indigent children. Dr. Lese volunteered within her state chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics to improve the quality of healthcare for children. Dr. Lese also volunteered to help children with the Los Angeles-Teens On Target/California Youth-Alive Program and the Make A Wish Foundation. Dr. Lese has conducted medical and policy research that has been presented at national and international scientific meetings and published in leading medical journals including Neurosurgery and Archives of Neurology.

As a doctor caring for indigent families, Dr. Lese developed a strong desire to do more to serve the comprehensive economic, social, and health care needs of children and families. Due to her commitment to widen access to healthcare and her desire to improve economic opportunities for families, Dr. Lese enhanced her medical background with professional expertise in business, earning an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School and serving as a financial analyst at Fidelity Investments. As a member of Fidelity's health care team, Dr. Lese made investment decisions and conducted research on health care companies and health care economic policy. Additionally, Dr. Lese served as the Fund Manager of the $100 million Fidelity Select Food and Agriculture Portfolio. As Fund Manager, Dr. Lese raised her fund's 3-year Morningstar performance rating to the highest rating of five stars from three stars, and the fund under her leadership was recognized by Business Week as one of "The Best Mutual Funds" (October 8, 2001).

Dr. Lese has a long-standing commitment to public service and volunteerism. She has been a volunteer tutor and mentor to students in the Boston, Los Angeles and New York public school systems. She also established a scholarship program to help economically disadvantaged students attend college. She was recently a National Finalist for the White House Fellows Program - the nation's top program for leadership and public service. Dr. Lese, 36, lives in Yarmouth.

Paid for by Lese for State Senate
Copyright 2004