Lee Memorial Health System Foundation dba Lee Health Foundation
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Lee Health Foundation Initiative: Little Red Wagon Fund / Golisano Children's Hospital of SW Florida
On May 10, 2017, Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida became fully operational, welcoming patients into the new 126-bed facility. And while this new tower offers the finest possible pediatric care to the Southwest Florida community, our job is not over.
The health care needs of children are unique and ever evolving – but also rarely covered by insurance. Nearly 70% of pediatric patients are uninsured or on Medicaid. In order to be at the forefront for specialized and lifesaving care, we will continuously rely on philanthropic support.
Every dollar raised for Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida through the Little Red Wagon Fund will be used to benefit our community’s youngest, most vulnerable patients. In addition to the new children’s hospital next to HealthPark Medical Center in Fort Myers, Lee Health serves children close to their home through the Pediatric Specialty Clinic in Port Charlotte and in Naples. Our focus is raising funds to address critical pediatric care areas of greatest need.
Lee Health Foundation Initiatives: Pediatric Behavioral Health
Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida’s new Pediatric Behavioral Health Initiative will assist children with mental health and behavioral disorders and enable them to receive the proper diagnosis, the right treatment, and the best community resources to live successful and productive lives.
An estimated 46,000 children in Southwest Florida currently have or have had a seriously debilitating mental disorder. Providing services and financial support to these children and families has not been a top priority for the State of Florida nor the Southwest Florida Region.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey show that approximately 13% of children ages 8 to 15 had a diagnosable mental disorder within the previous year.
The most common disorder among children is attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), which affects 8.5% of the population.
Mood disorders represent 3.7%, and major depressive disorder represents 2.7% of children with mental disorders.
One in 66 children are estimated to have Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
Suicide is the #2 cause of death in children ages 10-17.
Sadly, 90% of those who died by suicide had an underlying mental illness.
More than 2/3 of the pediatric patient populations in Southwest Florida is Medicaid and low income.
On average, a child will need 16 sessions of therapy and counseling. That is approximately $2,500 to treat one child.
While these statistics are shocking, it’s the stories behind the numbers, the children and their families who struggle with mental and behavioral health conditions, that we need to focus on. “I had a teenage patient who lost her brother. They were very close, and she was devastated,” shares Dr. Emad Salman, System Medical Director for Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida. “Sadly, the grief services she needed were not available locally to help her cope with the shock of losing her brother. She has made at least four attempts to take her life through overdoses and cutting herself. She has been admitted to the hospital to care for the acute problem, but is released once doctors determine she’s not an immediate danger to herself. But it’s a vicious cycle that keeps repeating.”
Not On My Watch!
As we look to the future and continue to provide high-quality, comprehensive care, pediatric behavioral health is a growing need and a priority for Lee Health and Southwest Florida. Because of caring advocates in our community, the conversation around this invisible illness has started!
Your tax-deductible philanthropic gift will provide essential funding to create a pediatric behavioral health program and assist with the hiring of mental and behavioral health professionals, provide in-patient and outpatient counseling and therapy, assist with case management and navigation, and support families of children with behavioral health issues.
“This is completely preventable. No child should die this way. This should not happen on my watch, not on OUR watch.” – Dr. Emad Salman
Lee Health Foundation Initiatives: Shipley Cardiothoracic Center
Heart disease continues to be the leading cause of death for men and women in the U.S. In 2014, Lee Health created Shipley Cardiothoracic Center to address the management and care of those suffering from heart and lung diseases. Outcomes have vastly improved by using a formalized program to improve a patient’s health before surgery with a multidisciplinary team approach engaging all care providers at all levels. Shipley Cardiothoracic Center is at the forefront of developing techniques that will make a difference for patients and significantly improve their health and vitality.
Shipley Cardiothoracic Center is made possible by a $2.5 million gift by Shipley Foundation, Inc., which is headed by Richard C. Shipley of Sanibel. His hope is that area residents and businesses will join him in supporting this initiative.
“The innovative approach to heart disease, combined with the research and educational components being undertaken by Dr. DiGiorgi and other professionals at the Center will be a life-changing benefit for many in the community and will improve the quality of life for our friends, families and neighbors for generations to come. I hope my gift will motivate and inspire others in the community to consider supporting this worthwhile effort.”
More than 375,000 die from heart disease each year. With your support, we can begin to lower that number and save lives in our community.
Key Facts: Focus is improving outcomes through patient care optimization, research, and learning opportunities for clinicians worldwide;
Key philosophy regarding patient care optimization is the healthier the patient going into surgery the better the outcome;
Considered a minimally invasive center of excellence offering advancements that are nationally recognized, drawing surgeons from across the country for training;
Shipley collaborates with local universities and clinical institutions; The Shipley team’s agility in quickly and directly using grant money with little overhead generates greater financial responsibility and efficiency;
Specialty services include minimally invasive heart surgery, robotic heart and lung surgery, transcatheter aortic valve replacement, transcatheter mitral valve repair and replacement, and hybrid surgery, as well as multidisciplinary treatment programs for valvular heart disease and atrial fibrillation; Over 1,000 heart and 400 lung surgeries a year.
Lee Health Foundation Initiatives: Regional Cancer Center
Every year since opening in 2008, the Regional Cancer Center has experienced double-digit growth. The five-year success rate for cancers diagnosed and managed within Lee Health exceeds national averages, yet the Center remains one of Lee Health’s greatest “untold” success stories. The Center’s treatment of both the body and the spirit, with the latest in research and findings, reflects a synergy of medical care. It provides a health care destination point that is unprecedented in Lee County.
To continue to provide high quality comprehensive care in our growing community, Lee Health will soon complete a multi-million-dollar expansion of the Regional Cancer Center, including a 24,000-square-foot addition to the existing 62,000-square-foot health center on Colonial Boulevard near I-75 in Fort Myers. Key Facts: The Regional Cancer Center expansion is anticipated for completion by fall 2018; Beyond the physical building, plans include expansions of medical staff, pharmacy, cancer services and pain relief; Regional Cancer Center has space for cancer treatment research;
Treatments include therapeutic infusions and symptom management for adult oncology and non-oncology patients. It also provides chemotherapy, biotherapy, blood/platelet transfusions, iron therapy, injections, therapeutic infusions and diagnostic blood tests;
The five most common cancers treated are breast (20%), lung (17%), gynecological malignancies (10%), colorectal (7%), and lymphatic system (4%); The Center also offers programs to help patients navigate cancer care treatment services, receive palliative (pain and discomfort relief) care, and genetic counseling; Cancer is the #2 leading cause of death in the United States. In order to ensure the very best in medical care and the highest survival rates possible to fight this devastating disease, we need your support.
Lee Health Foundation Initiatives: Lee Health - Coconut Point
Lee Health – Coconut Point will be the most comprehensive health and wellness destination in South Lee County, an area experiencing tremendous population growth. When completed in 2018, the 172,000-square-foot medical campus will offer a broad array of medical services across the continuum of care, combined with an excellent experience and a healing environment. The approximately $140 million project will be located on a 31-acre site south of Coconut Point Mall.
Features: A freestanding emergency department open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year;
A surgery center, imaging laboratory, breast health center, cardiac testing and rehabilitation services;
Short stay observation and recovery beds to support the emergency department and surgery center;
Programs and services to include a pharmacy, health assessments and education, chronic disease management, nutritional counseling including a teaching kitchen, holistic health services, care coordination and more;
A medical office complex with space for primary care physicians and specialists;
Houses Healthy Life Center for exercise and informational programs for residences throughout the year
Key Facts: With more than 100,000 people living in South Lee County, the community will be able to access more convenient health care;
Lee Health – Coconut Point will be a plus for not only patients but also their families and at-home caregivers;
The estimate is that 85% of the people who would otherwise go to an existing hospital or emergency room will be able to receive care at Lee Health – Coconut Point and return home without hassle or delay;
Described as healthcare of the future because it provides for local, rapid response to vast majority of healthcare needs.
Lee Health Foundation Initiatives: Health and Wellness
The Health & Wellness initiative will positively impact Southwest Florida communities, enhancing the overall health of residents. Through programs and partnerships with Healthy Lee, physicians’ groups, local schools, social services organizations and our varied neighborhoods, we are taking a proactive, grassroots approach to education and initiating healthy living programs that transform the way our families feel about wellness and healthcare. Our six key focus areas include: Purpose Driven Living “Your Why”, Physical Activity, Nutrition, Sleep, Stress Management, and Mental and Behavioral Health.
Key Facts: 85% of chronic disease is preventable, and even reversible;
Since launching in 2014, the Health & Wellness program, Flavor Harvest @ Home, has delivered free healthy nutrition-packed meals to the homes of more than 600 malnourished and undernourished patients; In as little as 30 days, healthy lifestyle programs such as CHIP can improve blood pressure, cholesterol, triglycerides, BMI, fasting blood sugar, sleep, resilience and depression;
According to the 2015 Community Well-Being Rankings and Access to Care report, gathered through the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index, the Cape Coral/Fort Myers area ranks 19 out of 190 communities in the country for well-being.
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
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Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
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Lee Memorial Health System Foundation dba Lee Health Foundation
Board of directorsas of 02/22/2022
J. Pason Gaddis
Florida Weekly
Term: 2016 - 2022
James W. Orr, Jr., MD, Vice Chairperson
Regional Cancer Center
Dominic Cameratta, Treasurer
Cameratta Companies
Jennifer Parisi, Secretary
Matt Hanson
Salty Sam's Waterfront Adventures
Paul DiGiorgi, MD
Lee Health
Pablo Veintimilla
Centennial Bank
Scotty Wood
Joseph R. Catti
FineMark National Bank & Trust
Jenny Gezella
Naples Princess
Charles Idelson
Busey Bank & Busey Wealth Mangement
Fred Pezeshkan
Naples Bay Resort - Summit Management
Larry Antonucci, MD
Lee Health President
David Collins
Lee Health Board of Directors
David Call
Fifth Third Bank Naples
Chetan Gulati
Kristn Haag
Costco Wholesale
George Hamilton
Susan McGrogan
Lori Shaffer
F. Brett Shannon, DO
Pediatric Orthopedics of SWFL
Sandy Stilwell Younquist
Stilwell Enterprises & Restaurant Group
Gary Gold
Gulf Coast Medical Center Auxililary
Steve Henry
Cape Coral Hospital Auxiliary
Sue Lester
Lee Memorial Hospital Auxiliary
Armando Llechu
Lee Health Administration
Amanda Cross
Emeriti Committee
Joe Gammons
Emeriti Committee
Frank Haskell
Emeriti Committee
Garrett "Buzz" Reasoner
Emeriti Committee
Madeleine Taeni
Emeriti Committee
Elaine Hawkins
Emeriti Committee
Dorothy Fitzgerald
Emeriti Committee
Al Kinkle
Board leadership practices
GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.
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Board orientation and education
Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? Yes -
CEO oversight
Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? No -
Ethics and transparency
Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? Yes -
Board composition
Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes -
Board performance
Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? Yes