Hospital system changes name

FORT MYERS — The board of directors of Lee Memorial Health System, the state's largest public health care system, approved the organization's new name: Lee Health.

The Fort Myers-based system operates four acute care hospitals and two specialty hospitals in Lee County that total 1,423 beds. Lee Health has 10,500 employees.

The new name will be officially adopted Oct. 3, the date of the system's 100th anniversary. “The 100th anniversary of our health care system is the perfect time to celebrate our past, while solidifying our commitment to constant evolution and improvement, in order to ensure that we provide the highest quality, compassionate care that inspires health and well being,” says Kevin Newingham, chief strategy officer for Lee Health, in a statement.

The legal name of the organization will remain the same, as well as individual facilities within the system, including all hospitals and existing outpatient facilities. However, Lee Health will be displayed on all signs and collateral materials.