November 20, 2007 For Immediate Release LMH Child Development Center Earns APPLE Accreditation The Lee Memorial Hospital Child Development Center was recently awarded Accredited Professional Preschool Learning Environment (APPLE) Accreditation. APPLE is a voluntary national accreditation program and demonstrates commitment to a standard of quality above the state requirements of early childhood programs. “Child care centers in the State of Florida are licensed by the Department of Children & Family Services,” says JoAnne Fuciu, System Director of the Lee Memorial Health System Child Development Centers. “Being APPLE accredited means we offer a higher quality early childhood program than what’s required, with age appropriate activities, lower than required student/teacher ratio and a lot of parent involvement.” The Child Development Center at Lee Memorial Hospital was the first employer sponsored center in Lee County when it opened in December 1986. Locations at HealthPark Medical Center and Cape Coral Hospital were added later. The accreditation process, which took the Child Development Center at Lee Memorial Hospital about a year to complete, included a self-study and inspection by the verifiers. The centers at HealthPark Medical Center and Cape Coral Hospital are completing their self-study now and should receive their APPLE accreditation within the next six months. Lee Memorial Health System (LMHS) is the leading provider of healthcare services in Southwest Florida and has served the citizens of Lee County and surrounding communities since 1916. System hospitals include Cape Coral Hospital, Gulf Coast Hospital, HealthPark Medical Center, Lee Memorial Hospital, Southwest Florida Regional Medical Center, The Children's Hospital of SW Florida, and The Rehabilitation Hospital. LMHS is accredited byThe Joint Commission and a member of the American and Florida Hospital Association, as well as numerous other leading healthcare organizations.

Press contact information Karen Krieger, Director Public Affairs Phone: 239-454-8765 Fax: 239-454-8775 Pager: 239-930-6158 E-Mail: Karen.krieger@leememorial.org