Lee Health CEO explains why the new hospital will have fewer beds than Lee Memorial, and reveals new plans for Cape Coral to address longer commute times.

Lee Health celebrated the ceremonial groundbreaking this week for its newest hospital project, Lee Health Fort Myers. Located on 53 acres, the hospital will be at the intersection of Colonial and Challenger boulevards.

Lee Health broke ground for a campus off Challenger Boulevard in the eastern part of Lee County. Then acute-care facility will have up to 168 beds, including 24 ICU beds, a 44-bed ER and 10 operating rooms.

The campus will include more than 400,000ft² of hospital space and 125,000ft² dedicated to medical offices and ambulatory surgery.

Lee Health states the campus will create jobs, stimulate economic growth and ensure long-term health care access for the rapidly expanding Fort Myers population.

Lee Health broke ground Jan. 27 on a new 53-acre health care campus in Fort Myers that will include a 168-bed acute care hospital and a new musculoskeletal institute the system hopes will become a destination for those needing orthopedic surgery.

Lee Health CEO explains why the new hospital will have less beds, and reveals new plans for Cape Coral to address longer commute times.