| 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 purchase 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 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 the 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:
- LMHS is an efficient, well-managed
healthcare organization.
- LMHS offer high quality healthcare
and is consistently ranked in the top 100 healthcare facilities in
the nation.
- 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.
- 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.
- LMHS's financial policies, with
respect to capital needs vs. available cash reserves and its
investment structures and practices, are appropriate.
- LMHS needs $10 million annually in
funding based on 2001 financial statements to keep the community's
Level II Trauma Center operational.
- 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 |
