Health care system hires new diversity director

FORT MYERS — Lee Health has hired a new director of diversity to oversee the health care system’s diversity, patient care civil rights and language services.

Michelle Happer comes to the Lee Health position with more than 10 years of health care, education and community relations experience in diverse settings, according to a news release.

“We’re thrilled to bring Michelle on board. She brings extensive experience with large organizations and an outstanding record of driving performance and accountability within those companies,” Lisa Sgarlata, Lee Health chief patient officer and chief nurse executive, says in the release. 

Happer most recently served as the manager of compliance and cultural diversity for the Sentara – Optima Health Plan in Virginia Beach, where she was responsible for cultural diversity and inclusion program initiatives. The managed care plan serves more than 450,000 members across Virginia. Before that, she was a physician relations executive for Inova Health System in Falls Church, Virginia, a leading nonprofit health care provider in Northern Virginia.