New campus groundbreaking: A celebration of innovation and community

A momentous groundbreaking event celebrated the start of construction at Lee Health’s new state-of-the-art healthcare campus in Fort Myers. Community leaders, healthcare professionals, and residents gathered at the 53-acre site located at the intersection of Colonial and Challenger boulevards. The event marks the beginning of a transformative journey to enhance healthcare access and specialty services for the region.
As part of the celebration, Lee Health unveiled images and video footage showcasing the future campus. Attendees were treated to a sneak peek of detailed renderings and an animated video featuring drone footage of the site combined with a virtual fly-through of the cutting-edge facility. The visuals provide a glimpse into the exciting future of healthcare in Southwest Florida, with the first phase of construction slated for completion in 2028.
“Today’s groundbreaking is more than just the start of construction; it’s a celebration of the Fort Myers community and the future of healthcare that Lee Health is committed to bringing,” said Dr. Larry Antonucci, president and CEO of Lee Health. “This campus represents our commitment to meeting the growing needs of Southwest Florida and ensuring our residents and visitors have access to world-class medical care for generations to come.”
The campus is designed to serve as a healthcare destination, featuring:
• An acute care hospital with up to 168 beds, including 24 ICU beds and a 44-bed emergency department, and ten inpatient operating rooms.
• A Medical Office Building with eight state-of-the-art operating rooms, which will be home to the Lee Health Musculoskeletal Institute.
• More than 400,000 square feet of hospital space, 125,000 square feet of medical office and ambulatory surgery space, and an 18,000-square-foot central energy plant.
Innovative “Connected Care” rooms will enhance patient engagement by integrating smart technology for scheduling, clinical support, and personalized care experiences. Additionally, the facility has been designed with resiliency in mind, including redundant electrical systems, a full-facility generator, and hurricane-resistant construction.
The phased development of the campus will create jobs, stimulate economic growth, and ensure long-term healthcare access for the rapidly expanding Fort Myers population. Lee Memorial Hospital will continue to provide essential services, including emergency care, inpatient beds, and surgical services, until the new hospital is fully operational.
Lee Health’s new campus reflects the organization’s dedication to innovation, excellence, and community partnership. The groundbreaking event highlighted the collective effort of local leaders, healthcare professionals, and residents in shaping the future of healthcare in Southwest Florida.
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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.