De Jong appointed to lead Lee Health Cardiovascular Services

With almost 20 years of progressive leadership with hospitals, health care systems and cardiovascular service lines, Adam de Jong has been appointed as the new vice president of Lee Health’s Cardiovascular Services.

De Jong comes to Lee Health from Atrium Health’s Sanger Heart & Vascular Institute in Charlotte, North Carolina, where he served as the assistant vice president of the Adult Cardiothoracic Surgery, Vascular Surgery and Cardiac Rehabilitation programs across the cardiovascular service line at five Atrium Health hospitals.

In his new role at Lee Health, de Jong will be responsible for further establishing the vision and strategic direction for cardiac services in partnership with the Heart and Vascular Chief Physician Executive. De Jong will also collaborate with key medical leadership in evaluating new technology, innovations in the delivery of patient care, and opportunities to change the delivery model to be more progressive and effective.

Lee Health has a long history of excellence in cardiac care, with HealthPark Medical Center having been recognized multiple times as one of the Top 50 Cardiovascular Hospitals in the country by IBM Watson.

De Jong earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degree from Central Michigan University.

Honor a loved one with Hope Hospice’s Tree of Lights

Hope Hospice’s Tree of Lights tradition offers a meaningful way to commemorate loved ones while providing essential funds for those in need of hospice care and grief support.

Hope’s Care Centers in Fort Myers, Bonita Springs, Cape Coral and Lehigh Acres will each feature a Tree of Lights adorned with white paper butterflies. With a $50 gift, Hope will customize a butterfly with the name of your loved one and place it at the location of your choice. Donors who give $100 will also receive a 2022 keepsake metal ornament engraved with the Hope Hospice logo.

To learn more about honoring a loved one this holiday season, visit MoreHope.org/Tree or call 239-482-4673.

With more than 40 years of experience as a local, not-for-profit healthcare organization, Hope Hospice provides comfort for people in life’s closing chapter. A compassionate team of staff and volunteers offers practical, spiritual, and emotional support for the entire family. For more information on hospice care, visit HopeHospice.org.

Lee Health heart physicians earn appointments

Two doctors from the Lee Health Heart and Vascular Institute have been recognized with prestigious appointments.

Dr. Richard Chazal, a senior cardiologist and the Medical Director of Lee Health Heart and Vascular Institute, has been elected treasurer of the World Heart Federation, based in Geneva, Switzerland, for 2023-24. Chazal has served on the WHF Board for the past four years.

Dr. Juan Lopez-Mattei, Medical Director of Cardiac Imaging at Lee Health Heart and Vascular Institute, has been elected vice chair of the Alliance for Physician Certification and Advancement Certification Board of Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance and, in three years, he will be the chair.

Since 1983, Chazal has practiced clinical cardiology in Fort Myers with a focus in echocardiography, diagnostic catheterization and coronary computerized tomography angiography.

Lopez-Mattei is a nationally recognized expert in cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging, echocardiography, cardiovascular computed tomography and cardio-oncology.

Learn more about Lee Health Heart and Vascular Institute at www.leehealth.org.

Celebration of Life Jan. 15

To honor the memory of loved ones in our community, Hope Hospice is hosting a Celebration of Life Memorial Service online Sunday, Jan. 15, at 2 p.m. Friends and families are invited to participate in this virtual gathering that is appropriate for all faith traditions. There is no charge to attend.

To RSVP, please visit HopeHos-pice.org/RSVP before Friday, Dec. 16. When you have completed your registration, you will receive a confirmation by email. For more information, please contact Manager of Bereavement Services Michelle Milita at 239-489-9189.

With more than 40 years of experience as a local, not-for-profit healthcare organization, Hope Hospice provides comfort for people in life’s closing chapter. A compassionate team of staff and volunteers offers practical, spiritual, and emotional support for the entire family.

For more information on hospice care, visit HopeHospice.org.