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How You
Can Help Your...
Lee
Memorial Health System Trauma Center
&
The Lee
County Trauma Services District
The Lee Memorial Health
System (LMHS) is a publicly-owned, not-for-profit
organization and is the largest public entity in the state
that receives no direct tax support. Still, through
processes designed to optimize efficiency, through excellent
staff at all levels, and through an atmosphere of professional
excellence, caring and giving system-wide, LMHS has maintained
its status as one of the top hospitals in the nation. As your
community-owned hospital, all surplus funds over budget, or
"profits," are directed back into LMHS where they are used to
fund the expansion and creation of facilities, the purchases of
new equipment, and to keep LMHS on the leading edge of the
newest medical technology. However, providing certain services
creates a financial strain which makes it difficult the
continuation of providing these services. Trauma Services is one
such program.
In 2003, a Community Task
Force representing a diverse cross section of professionals from
Southwest Florida area undertook an extensive detailed study of
LMHS, its level of services, its financial statements, and its
financial practices. Among its many findings, the task force
arrived at the following conclusions.
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LMHS is an efficient,
well-managed healthcare organization.
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LMHS offers high quality
healthcare and is consistently ranked in the
top 100
healthcare facilities in the nation.
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LMHS's operating costs
are among the lowest in the nation among healthcare
institutions, ranking in the 25th percentile, meaning that
about 75% of similar healthcare providers have higher
operating costs.
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LMHS's operating costs
are among the lowest in the state of Florida among healthcare
institutions, ranking in the 25th percentile, meaning that
about 75% of similar healthcare providers in Florida have higher
operating costs.
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LMHS's financial
policies, with respect to capital needs vs. available cash
reserves and its investment structures and practices, are
appropriate.
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LMHS needs $10 million
annually in funding based on 2001 financial statements to
keep the community's Level II Trauma Center operational.
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LMHS cannot generate
the necessary funding to maintain operation of the trauma
center through its internal operations.
In light of these facts, we
welcome the opportunity to provide you with a mechanism through
which you can make suggestions
regarding funding the trauma center or, if you wish, to
donate directly to the
trauma center/trauma district.
We continue to diligently
seek a steady, effective and dependable funding stream for the
Lee Memorial Health System Trauma Center. Already, through
working with the Florida Hospital Association and the Florida
State Legislature, funding has been secured during the past two
years that has off-set almost half of the financial shortfall
realized by LMHS annually. However, as welcome as these funds
are, they are not steady and are not to be depended upon in
future legislative sessions. As these issues continue to
develop, we wish to keep you informed through this site on the
"Trauma News and Information" page.
If you would like to make a
donation to the Lee Memorial Health System Trauma Center, please
contact:
The Lee Memorial Health System
Foundation
PO Box 2218
Fort Myers, FL 33902
239-985-3550
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