Quality Cancer Care Now Available Closer to Home for South Lee and Collier County Residents
September 11, 2023 — The Lee Health Cancer Institute is opening a new cancer clinic at the Bonita Health Center on Sept. 15, giving southern Lee County and Collier County residents and visitors access to quality cancer care close to where they live and work.
The Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation Cancer Clinic will offer oncology services, offering treatments, physicians, and other necessary medical support staff at the Bonita Health Center.
Lee Health also has a cancer treatment center in Fort Myers at 8931 Colonial Center Drive.
As part of the most comprehensive cancer program in Southwest Florida, the new Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation Cancer Clinic will be staffed with oncologists, nurse navigators, dieticians, a genetics counselor, and infusion services. The 18,000-square-foot building at 3501 Health Center Blvd. in Estero will offer services similar to its sister center in Fort Myers.
Joshua Brown appreciates the opportunity to meet with his care team near where he lives.
“I’m thankful to receive cancer care close to home, but also for my dedicated and compassionate team,” said Brown, who has colon cancer. “They’re constantly communicating, and I know if something happens and I need immediate help, everyone on my team will have my back right away.”
“World-class cancer care is available in our backyard and will have a tremendous impact,” Brown added.
The new clinic has an estimated total cost of $10.4 million. It will feature a 32-chair infusion center, four individual treatment rooms, and 12 exam rooms.
To offset the $10.4 million needed to renovate the center, the Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation donated $1 million with an additional $1.5 million community challenge grant to expand cancer services at the current Lee Health Bonita Health Center.
In recognition of this generosity, the facility will be named the Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation Cancer Clinic. Other significant donors include the Bonita Bay community, which has provided almost $1.5 million in charitable contributions.
“As the population in Southwest Florida continues to grow, our oncology services in the region need to grow with it,” said Deb Wilson, vice president of oncology for Lee Health. “The cancer clinic in Estero will complement Lee Health’s cancer center in Fort Myers.”
The Lee Health Cancer Institute services include cancer rehabilitation, financial navigation, and disease-specific support groups for patients and families, prosthesis, and wig fitting.
Lee Health is focused on elevating its oncology services to ensure access to the best possible care for Southwest Florida residents.
Wilson and Dr. Mark Roh, chief physician executive of oncology services, joined in 2022 with a focus on expanding Lee Health’s oncology program.
They have decades of extensive and dedicated experience in cancer care, and both Wilson and Dr. Roh are experts in the oncology field.
“We’re expanding our oncology team to make sure the growing Southwest Florida population and beyond has the resources and access to care they need,” Dr. Roh said. “Lee Health is committed to the highest standard of compassionate care, and we can’t wait to start serving our friends and neighbors in south Lee and Collier counties. More convenient access will help patients feel less stressed and more comfortable during their cancer journey, which is the ultimate goal.”
Learn more about the Lee Health Cancer Institute at www.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. 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 www.LeeHealth.org.
