February 25 2022 – Encompass Health Corp. (NYSE: EHC) and Lee Healthcare Holdings, LLC, wholly owned subsidiary of Lee Health, today announced a collaboration to jointly own and operate two new inpatient rehabilitation hospitals in Southwest Florida.
Recently, the Board of Directors of Lee Health approved its investment in this collaboration with Encompass Health. One of the hospitals will be a 40-bed, freestanding inpatient rehabilitation hospital currently under construction in Cape Coral at 1730 NE Pine Island Road and scheduled to open in May 2022. The other hospital, anticipated to open in 2024, will be a 60-bed, freestanding inpatient rehabilitation hospital located in Fort Myers on Lee Health’s Gulf Coast Medical Center campus. When the Fort Myers hospital opens, Lee Health intends to relocate its existing 60-bed rehabilitation unit at Lee Memorial Hospital to that new hospital.
“We are excited that Lee Health has decided to invest in this venture. Lee Health is a well‑respected healthcare leader that has been serving Florida residents for more than 100 years,” said Mark Tarr, president and chief executive officer for Encompass Health. “Through these inpatient rehabilitation hospitals, we will work to provide patients with coordinated and connected care that meets them where they are in their healthcare journeys and makes a positive difference in their lives.”
“At Lee Health, we are committed to providing our patients with high quality, cost effective care while continuing to innovate healthcare in Southwest Florida,” said Dr. Larry Antonucci, president and chief executive officer of Lee Health. “The landscape of healthcare is constantly evolving and our community is one of the fastest-growing regions in the country. We are excited to invest in the inpatient rehabilitation hospitals that Encompass Health is bringing to our community because they will offer post-acute services to our patients, providing services to best meet the needs of those we serve.”
Complementing local acute care services like those provided by Lee Health, inpatient rehabilitation hospitals serve patients recovering from debilitating illnesses and injuries, including strokes and other neurological disorders, brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, amputations and complex orthopedic conditions. In addition to 24‑hour nursing care, the inpatient rehabilitation hospitals offer physical, occupational and speech therapies to restore functional ability and quality of life.
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. Staffed by caring people, inspiring health, 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 www.LeeHealth.org.
About Encompass Health
As a national leader in integrated healthcare services, Encompass Health (NYSE: EHC) offers both facility‑based and home‑based patient care through its network of inpatient rehabilitation hospitals, home health agencies and hospice agencies. With a national footprint that includes 146 hospitals, 251 home health locations, and 96 hospice locations in 42 states and Puerto Rico, the Company provides high‑quality, cost-effective integrated healthcare. Encompass Health is ranked as one of Fortune’s 100 Best Companies to Work For. For more information, visit encompasshealth.com, or follow us on our newsroom, Twitter, Instagram and Facebook
