Lee Health board members, alongside senior leaders, will host a public forum to share updates and hear from community members regarding the governance structure evaluation findings.

Following the 2023 change to Lee Health’s Enabling Act by the Florida Legislature and a formal vote by Lee Health’s Board of Directors (LHBOD), Kauffman-Hall completed and presented the Lee Health Board of Directors with an evaluation of the current structure and consideration of a return to a community-focused nonprofit structure.

Based on the expertise of the third-party evaluators, the findings of the report concluded it was in the best interests of the community and the commitment to Lee Health’s safety-net mission to continue to move forward with the conversion evaluation.

After thorough review of the report and thoughtful consideration of the future, Lee Health leaders recommended to the Board of Directors that conversion is the best path forward.

In early 2024, Lee Health offered six town hall meetings across the county to discuss the process and consideration. In late January, a Public Hearing offered community members a chance to speak to the entire Board of Directors.

The evaluation is one of many steps in a thoughtful and lengthy discernment process that continues.

The public hearing is scheduled for April 25 at 4 p.m. in the Community Room at Gulf Coast Medical Center.

To learn more about the ongoing conversion process, visit LeeHealth.org/LookingAhead.

About Lee Health

Since the opening of the first hospital in 1916, Lee Health has been a health care leader in Southwest Florida, constantly evolving to meet the needs of the community. A non-profit, integrated health care services organization, Lee Health is committed to the well-being of every individual served, focused on healthy living and maintaining good health. Health care services are conveniently located throughout the community in four acute care hospitals, two specialty hospitals, outpatient centers, walk-in medical centers, primary care and specialty physician practices and other services across the continuum of care. Learn more at LeeHealth.org.