April 30, 2026— Lee Health has awarded two community microgrants to local nonprofit partners advancing access to care and essential services for vulnerable residents across Southwest Florida. The support reinforces the health system’s commitment to improving health outcomes throughout the community.
The grants support Project Dentists Care and Lehigh Community Services, two organizations working to address critical gaps in preventive care, oral health, food security, transportation, and public benefits enrollment.
Project Dentists Care will use its $97,800 award to expand preventive and restorative dental services for uninsured and underinsured residents in Lee, Hendry, and Glades counties. The funding will help increase capacity, support patient education and outreach, provide essential supplies and equipment, and extend services into additional rural communities. The initiative directly addresses the link between oral health and overall well-being, while helping reduce avoidable emergency department visits and improving outcomes for patients.
Lehigh Community Services will receive $89,276 to support reducing health disparities and strengthening self-sufficiency in Lehigh Acres and surrounding communities. Funds will support expanded Medicaid and SNAP enrollment assistance, nutrition and food distribution programs, transportation access, and community health screenings . The organization serves more than 50,000 residents annually, including seniors, families facing financial hardship, and individuals experiencing homelessness.
“Health does not begin and end within the walls of a hospital,” said Selynto Anderson, Chief Community Health & Impact Officerat Lee Health. “These grants represent our commitment to advancing health equity by investing in trusted community partners who are addressing the real-world barriers that impact health. When we strengthen our community, we strengthen the health of every individual within it.”
These investments reflect Lee Health’s mission to be a trusted partner in empowering healthier lives through care and compassion — ensuring that all residents have meaningful access to the resources that support long-term health and well-being.
About Lee Health
Lee Health has been a cornerstone of health care in Southwest Florida since opening its first hospital in 1916. As a non-profit, integrated health system, Lee Health is dedicated to providing high-quality, compassionate care to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay. With a strong commitment to community health and wellness, Lee Health commits to evolving with the growing and changing needs of the region. The system offers comprehensive services through four acute care hospitals, Golisano Children’s Hospital, three skilled nursing locations, outpatient facilities, urgent care centers, and a wide network of primary care and specialty practices. Lee Health supports every step of the health journey, from preventive care to advanced treatment for every member of our community. Learn more at www.LeeHealth.org.
