As plans are underway for the 2024 Southwest Florida Heart Ball, Dr. Iahn Gonsenhauser, Chief Medical Officer at Lee Health, Live Fierce sponsor, has been named chair of this year’s community-wide campaign. The Heart Ball celebrates progress made through the dedication and passion of all who support the American Heart Association’s Heart of Southwest Florida, a year-round effort aimed at investing in and saving and improving lives in Southwest Florida.

“Dr. Gonsenhauser exemplifies true leadership and commitment as a dedicated healthcare executive here in Southwest Florida and is the ideal person to head our Heart Ball campaign. As a trusted member of this community, he understands the impact the mission and work of the American Heart Association can have on every person who lives in this area. We welcome Dr. Gonsenhauser to the Heart of Southwest Florida, an initiative that centers around better health for every individual by focusing on critical issues and work to equitably improve and save lives,” said Jessaca Rodriguez, Executive Director, American Heart Association SWFL.

Dr. Iahn Gonsenhauser, M.D., MBA, is the Chief Medical Officer at Lee Health responsible for the continuous improvement of the safety, efficiency and quality of medical care in Southwest Florida. He provides oversight and strategic direction for 2,400 employed and independent physicians, and advanced providers on the health system’s medical staff.

As an expert in facilitating clinical process improvement, he restructured clinical and administrative departments to advance clinical process improvement capabilities. During the pandemic, he helped to create and direct a COVID-19 call center, which rapidly scaled to 8,000 each day. Additionally, he created and deployed a system-wide quality and value metric cascade strategy to engage frontline clinicians and nurses with enterprise goals.

Dr. Gonsenhauser received his medical degree and completed his residency at The Ohio State University College of Medicine. He is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine. He also has a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology/Neuroscience from Syracuse University in New York and a Master’s Degree in Finance/Bioscience Entrepreneurship from the Case Western Reserve University Weatherhead School of Management.

“While I am relatively new to this community, my dedication and commitment to the health and well-being of my friends and neighbors is decades old. I am honored to serve as Chair of the 2024 Southwest Florida Heart Ball,” said Dr. Iahn Gonsenhauser. “We have an outstanding team of volunteers and staff within our regional American Heart Association Team, and I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to work with them to advocate and make a difference in this community. This is a community of dedicated and passionate people and together, we are channeling this heartfelt intensity into raising crucial funds, advocating, motivating and educating people so they are empowered to live longer, healthier lives.”

The 2024 Southwest Florida Heart Ball is sponsored by The Gunterberg Foundation, Lee Health, ArtiCure, Key Private Bank and more and is slated for March 23 at the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point. The annual event is a night to celebrate the association’s year-round efforts to drive health equity in Southwest Florida. This year’s campaign is specifically focused on tackling CPR to ensure more neighbors have the chance to live a full and healthy life. Throughout the evening the American Heart Association, the world’s leading nonprofit organization focused on heart and brain health, will honor volunteers and patrons, feature stories of survivors, and entertain guests with dinner, dancing and an exciting auction. For more information on how to support or attend the Southwest Florida Heart Ball, visit swflheartball24 or contact Kayla Garrison – kayla.garrison@heart.org.