Lee Paton is a recognized expert in pain and symptom management, end of life care, and spiritual concerns for people with serious illnesses and their families. She has just completed a research study on the experience of suffering with advanced cancer and is currently developing future studies to examine other aspects of living with serious illnesses.
She currently maintains a private consulting practice in the greater Portland, Oregon area focusing on improving the care of residents and patients in retirement communities, nursing homes, and also works with private patients and their families. Lee is affiliated with the Aging and Alzheimer's Disease Center and the School of Nursing at Oregon Health Sciences University. She has lectured widely in the United States and in Asia on issues of hospice and palliative care, pain and symptom management, and the relief of suffering.