September 23, 2020 – Lee Health’s Veteran Visitation Program has been awarded the Partnership Award from the American Red Cross Florida Gulf Coast to Heartland Chapter. The health system will be presented with the award during a virtual award ceremony on Oct. 8.
Set to celebrate its one-year anniversary, the program is a partnership between Lee Health and the American Red Cross. The program is located at Cape Coral Hospital and is the first-in-the-nation veteran visitation program at a civilian hospital. The program helps veteran’s seeking services at the hospital by providing information on programs and resources available to them and to also provide a comforting word. The program was modeled after the Red Cross’ efforts at VA and military hospitals.
“We are honored to receive this award from our partners at the Red Cross,” said Harry Alberti, M.D., VP of Operations & Chief Physician Executive at Cape Coral Hospital. “A program of this type is so important to veterans in our area as many are unaware of their benefits and what resources are available to them leaving them to feel alone. We look forward to entering our second year of the program and continuing to provide a much needed service to those who need it.”
Dually-trained with Lee Health and American Red Cross, volunteers visit veterans in their rooms to answer questions and deliver materials detailing veteran benefits and programs in Southwest Florida. Lee Health serves the majority of veterans living in the area, as the closest full-service VA hospital is about two hours away.
Each veteran has the assistance of the American Red Cross upon admittance to Cape Coral Hospital and even after their release. Information provided to veterans includes resources that they can access for assistance at any time including referrals to community resources including Lee Health’s Military Support Program and United Way’s Mission United.
Lee Health’s Military Support Program helps military active duty, families and veterans in Lee County through charitable programs that directly support them. Unique services, events and advocacy programs ensure that members of the military and their families receive the support they need.
Each April, the American Red Cross celebrates National Volunteer Month, highlighting the accomplishments of its volunteer workforce. Although, this year’s annual Volunteer Recognition & Appreciation dinner was canceled due to the pandemic, the Red Cross resumed its recognitions for volunteers and partners in a virtual and social distancing approach.
“Since our founding on the battlefields of the Civil War, the American Red Cross has been entrusted with the sacred duty of serving and honoring our military heroes, not only while they serve but throughout their lives,” said Heidi O’Sheehan, Director of Service to the Armed Forces & International Services for the Red Cross of South Florida. “This unique partnership with Lee Health has allowed us to expand this important work. To date, these program volunteers have conducted 3,489 veteran visits, impacting the lives not only of those veterans, but of their families as well. We are grateful to Lee Health and look forward to continuing and expanding this exceptional partnership.”
For more information about the Veterans Visitation Program, visit militarysupport@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.
About the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org/southflorida and visit us on Facebook and Twitter at @SFLRedCross.
