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Changes Reflect Health System’s Commitment to Excellence
 
October 21, 2020 – Lee Health announced several promotions and expanded roles to its organizational leadership structure to allow for more integration of clinical operations and improve collaboration across the system. These changes are a reflection of the health system’s strategic approach to fully operationalize and continue to work towards its vision to become a more effective and efficient, nationally recognized, high-value, integrated delivery network.
 
Kris Fay has been appointed Chief Officer Population Health and Physician Services. In her newly expanded role she will oversee Population Health, Lee Physician Group, system-wide case management and service lines of Behavioral Health, Oncology, Neurosciences, and Heart & Vascular Institute as well as continue development of value-based care models. Fay joined Lee Health in 2012 and has significantly contributed to the overall success of the health system. 
 
David Cato has been appointed Chief Officer Outpatient and Hospital Operations and Post-Acute Care. In his newly expanded role he will oversee operations for all outpatient facilities and post-acute services; orthopedic service line; emergency departments, surgery, respiratory, radiology, rehabilitation and laboratory services system-wide as well as oversee the health system’s emergency preparedness plan. Cato joined Lee Health in 2006 and has more than twenty years of clinical and leadership experience. 
 
Armando Llechu has been appointed Chief Officer Hospital Operations and Women and Children’s Services. Currently overseeing Golisano Children’s Hospital, Llechu’s expanded role will now include overseeing operations, quality and cost management of all Lee Health’s adult hospitals and women and children’s service lines as well as provide oversight of the patient experience across the system. Public Safety, Food and Nutrition, EVS and Pharmacy will serve under his leadership. Llechu joined Lee Health in 2017 and was responsible for the programmatic expansion at the children’s hospital that resulted in the health system’s ability to keep even more children close to home as they receive the expert care they need. 
 
Dr. Venkat Prasad has been appointed Chief Medical Officer Population Health and Physician Services. In his new role, he will continue in dyad leadership with Kris Fay and oversee Population Health, Lee Physician Group, system-wide case management and service lines of Behavioral Health, Oncology, Neurosciences, Primary Care, and Heart & Vascular Institute as well as continue development of value-based care models.  Dr. Prasad joined Lee Health in 2017 and was instrumental in the development of Lee Health’s Complex Care Center, an innovative alternative care site that helps patients avoid the emergency room through the support of health care professionals who provide treatment, education and support for patients with limited resources. 
 
Jennifer Higgins will continue her role as Vice President of Operations and Chief Nurse Executive at Gulf Coast Medical Center and will serve as Interim System Chief Nursing Officer. In her current role, she will continue to provide system-wide nursing professional practice and leadership development. Higgins has been instrumental in integrating services as part of the expansion of Gulf Coast Medical Center. She joined Lee Health in 2000 as an emergency room nurse and has held a variety of senior operational roles within the health system. 
“These changes will be key in the success of our continued journey toward ‘one Lee Health’, a system-wide approach focused on standardizing excellence in patient experience, clinical quality and care coordination”, said Larry Antonucci, M.D., MBA, Lee Health president & CEO. “Our new leadership structure is designed to improve alignment, efficiency and performance across the organization, reduce costs, decrease silos and increase “systemness”.
 
Founded in 1916, Lee Health is the largest employer in Lee County and has nearly 13,000 employees.  The health system serves patients throughout Southwest Florida. 
 
For more information about Lee Health, visit LeeHealth.org. 
 
 
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.