Lee Health: Evolving to Serve Southwest Florida's Healthcare Needs

For over a century, Lee Health has been a cornerstone of healthcare in Southwest Florida. Its recent conversion from a public hospital system to a community-focused nonprofit health system marks a significant milestone in its commitment to serving the region.

The conversion allows the health system greater flexibility in expanding services while maintaining its core mission since its founding in 1916: providing high-quality healthcare for all patients, regardless of their ability to pay.

The nonprofit conversion reinforces and strengthens that foundational promise in the face of a rapidly evolving healthcare industry and Southwest Florida’s explosive population growth, says Larry Antonucci, MD, MBA, President & CEO of Lee Health. 

“Converting to a community-focused nonprofit is not just about governance; it’s about ensuring a sustainable, high-quality healthcare system that continues to serve the diverse needs of the community within a dynamic healthcare landscape,” he says. 

The conversion, approved by the Lee County Board of County Commissioners, became effective Nov. 1.

The change concludes a three-phase process a year in the making, involving the commission of an independent study, engaged expert, third-party counsel, collaborations with federal, state and local governments, multiple Board work sessions, community town halls, and public workshop meetings.

A Legacy of Community Care Continues

The conversion to a community-focused nonprofit ensures that Lee Health continues to put community needs first, the health system’s ongoing mission since Lee Memorial Hospital, then known as Lee County Hospital, opened at Victoria and Grand avenues.

A Mission Agreement between the Lee Health Board of Directors and the Lee County Board of County Commissioners ensures that residents of Lee County will benefit from those services in perpetuity.

“Patients can expect the same reliable, quality healthcare they have come to expect from Lee Health today, tomorrow, next month, and next year,” Dr. Antonucci explains. “Day-to-day operations will continue exactly as before, with the same dedication to quality and accessibility. 

“As we do today, Lee Health will continue to focus on improvement – never ending its efforts to improve quality, safety and the experience we provide to patients, regardless of their ability to pay.”

The Advantages of a Community-focused Nonprofit

• Reinvestment in community health. Every dollar generated will be reinvested directly back into healthcare services. “There are no stockholders. Money will not leave this community,” Dr. Antonucci says. “As a nonprofit, we will continue to reinvest any gains we make to improve the services and care for our patients and community.”
• Enhanced partnerships. The new structure allows for more flexibility in forming partnerships beyond Lee County. “This change gives us the opportunity to provide additional access to care, bring in new clinical and business opportunities for providers, and expand healthcare options for our community and beyond our region.” Dr. Antonucci says. “Twenty percent of our patients come from outside Lee County. Now, we'll be able to provide care for them closer to their homes.”
• Local control. The health system will remain governed by local leaders committed to the community's healthcare needs. “The new business structure will include representation from across the community,” Dr. Antonucci says.

He adds that with no geographic limitation, Lee Health can pursue additional strategic opportunities to support its existing patient base and further enhance its safety net mission. “We’ll operate like most other nonprofit health systems, such as Johns Hopkins, Mayo Clinic, Mount Sinai Medical Center in Miami and Tampa General Hospital.”

Looking Forward

The conversion is more than an administrative change—it's a renewed promise to provide exceptional, inclusive healthcare for generations to come. By maintaining its safety-net commitment while gaining operational flexibility, Lee Health is securing a robust healthcare future for the community. 

“We are grateful for the support of our community and are excited for the opportunities that lie ahead,” Dr. Antonucci says. 

WATCH HEALTH MATTERS: Dr. Larry Antonucci, in his own words