With my tenure as president and CEO of Lee Health concluding on Sept. 30, I find myself reflecting on what has been an extraordinary journey. While this chapter is coming to a close, my confidence in the future of Lee Health has never been stronger. Our health system stands on an incredibly strong foundation, built by exceptional teams across every corner of the organization who are united by our mission and guided by a clear strategy for continued success.
As I prepare to transition from this role, I remain fully committed to ensuring a smooth and seamless leadership transition. I am confident Lee Health’s strong foundation will continue under the leadership of Ben Spence, our newly appointed President and CEO, when he assumes the role in October. Ben brings the experience, perspective, and commitment needed to help guide Lee Health’s continued success. As healthcare continues to evolve, strong leadership will remain essential—not only in adapting to change, but in preserving the values that matter most: providing compassionate, patient-centered care and improving the health and well-being of the communities we serve.
It has been one of the greatest honors of my life to build my career in Southwest Florida. My years as an OB/GYN were profoundly meaningful, and I have always been touched when someone shares that I delivered them or their children. As I moved into leadership roles, including President and CEO, I found new ways to impact lives through the delivery of healthcare in our community. Together with our exceptional leaders, physicians, team members, and volunteers, we have accomplished so much, including:
These accomplishments belong to the thousands of people who make Lee Health what it is. Their dedication, compassion, and resilience are the foundation of our success and the reason I remain so optimistic about the future.
While I will be stepping away from my role at Lee Health, I do not plan to step away from healthcare. I look forward to remaining active in healthcare advocacy, mentoring future leaders, and serving on boards, including Florida Gulf Coast University and several civic organizations. My work with state and regional organizations, including the Florida Hospital Association and the Safety Net Hospital Alliance of Florida, has deepened my commitment to shaping policies that strengthen healthcare and protect access to care across our state.
Over these final weeks, my focus remains exactly where it has always been—supporting our teams, serving our patients, and ensuring Lee Health continues moving forward with strength and purpose. I am deeply grateful for the privilege of serving this community and for the incredible people who make Lee Health what it is.
Together, we will continue building on our nearly 110-year legacy of delivering leading-edge, compassionate, patient-centered care that our community deserves and expects from Lee Health. I know I will leave Lee Health knowing the future is bright because of the remarkable people who will continue carrying our mission forward.
Larry Antonucci, M.D., MBA is the president and 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.
This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Lee Health: A strong foundation, a confident future
Reporting by Larry Antonucci, M.D., MBA, President & CEO of Lee Health / Naples Daily News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Larry Antonucci, M.D., MBA, President & CEO of Lee Health | USA TODAY Network
