M.D., MBA is the president & CEO of Lee Health

Southwest Florida is growing, and so are the healthcare needs of our community. At Lee Health, we are taking bold steps to ensure we’re ready — not just for today but for the future. Our new medical campus in Fort Myers is a major investment in that future, designed to expand access, modernize care and serve generations to come.

As we started to design the hospital, we planned to open with 168 beds. But as we continued to monitor the area’s rapid growth and rising demand for care, we adjusted those plans. We are now adding capacity for 92 additional beds, bringing the total to approximately 236 beds when the hospital opens and another 24 beds ready to be equipped when needed.

With the expansion, the new hospital will offer about the same number of beds in operation at Lee Memorial Hospital today. Some have pointed out that Lee Memorial Hospital’s current license is for 414 beds, but that number reflects an outdated model, with many rooms designed for two, three or even four patients. Private rooms are now the standard, offering better patient satisfaction, infection control, privacy and comfort.

In addition to building new facilities, we’ve made major advancements in how and where care is delivered. Lee Health has expanded virtual care options, launched a Hospital at Home program and implemented remote patient monitoring to support people in the comfort of their own homes. Surgeries are increasingly being moved to outpatient facilities. These innovations reduce the need for traditional hospital stays, improve patient satisfaction and reflect our commitment to providing care at the optimal location, which is not always at a hospital.

A health system is only as strong as its people, and we are focused on attracting and retaining the skilled professionals who make great care possible. Like national trends, we face staffing challenges, but we’re meeting them by offering competitive compensation and attractive benefits, expanding training pipelines and enhancing support systems to prevent burnout. Our goal is to ensure every patient receives safe, high-quality care from skilled professionals who feel valued and supported in their roles. Just last year, more than 150 physicians, surgeons and advanced providers joined our team.

Many people have asked about the future of the Lee Memorial Hospital campus on Cleveland Avenue, which will remain open until the new facility is ready. In the meantime, we have a valuable opportunity to reimagine how that property can best serve our community and enhance the overall health and well-being of the region. We’re committed to keeping the community informed as our plans progress.

All of this work is consistent with the commitments we made as part of our mission agreement when transitioning to a private nonprofit last year. We remain fully dedicated to caring for everyone in our community, regardless of their ability to pay. That promise, which has guided Lee Health for more than 100 years, continues to be the foundation of everything we do.

Looking ahead, we continue to plan for the evolving healthcare needs of all of Southwest Florida. We regularly analyze data, monitor population growth and assess service gaps to ensure the community has the healthcare it needs. We have expansions recently completed, underway or in planning in Cape Coral, Fort Myers, Lehigh Acres and South Lee County.

We’re proud to be Southwest Florida’s healthcare provider and employer of choice. We look forward to continuing this journey with you.

Larry Antonucci, M.D., MBA is the president & CEO of Lee Health, Southwest Florida’s major destination for health care offering acute care, emergency care, rehabilitation and diagnostic services, health and wellness education, and community outreach and advocacy programs. Visit LeeHealth.org to learn more.