Debra Lai, DO

Debra Lai, DO is a board-certified general surgeon specializing in colon and rectal surgery. She has extensive training in minimally invasive surgical techniques, including robotic, laparoscopic, and J-pouch surgery. Dr. Lai places emphasis on a multi-disciplinary team approach, where patients and health care professionals work together to achieve the best outcomes and patients feel comfortable and heard. Away from work, Dr. Lai enjoys crafts, art, music, trying new restaurants, rock climbing, yoga, and traveling.

The conditions Dr. Lai treats and the services she provides include:

• Colon, rectal and anal cancer
• Diverticulitis
• Inflammatory bowel disease (including ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease)
• Anorectal disease
• Robotic and laparoscopic colon and rectal resection surgeries
• J-pouch surgery

Languages: English

Certification: American Board of Surgery; Candidate for American Board of Colon and Rectal Surgery

Professional School: Lincoln Memorial University-DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine (Harrogate, TN)

Residency: George Washington University, General Surgery (Washington, DC)

Fellowship: Swedish Colon & Rectal Clinic, Colon and Rectal Surgery (Seattle, WA)

Medical Groups: MultiCare, MultiCare Medical Associates

Medical Association Memberships: American College of Surgeons, American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons , Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons, Washington State Medical Association, Association of Women Surgeons
 

Research:

Open versus minimally invasive small bowel resection for Crohn's disease: a NSQIP retrospective review and analysis

Robotic-assisted surgery for complicated and uncomplicated diverticulitis: A single-surgeon case-series comparison

Surgical management of splenic flexure colon cancer: a retrospective propensity-matched study comparing open and minimally invasive approaches using the national cancer database

Disparities in utilization of robotic surgery for colon cancer: an evaluation of the U.S. National Cancer Database

Practice Philosophy: My care philosophy is to listen carefully to my patients, diagnose their conditions efficiently and help them understand their options, whether surgical or non-surgical. I believe that the best way to help my patients is to provide them with compassionate and individualized care in a safe and supportive environment. I believe in a team-based approach to care, and I strive to give one hundred percent effort to help, even if I don’t have all the answers.