Share the Health

With many designated Blue Zones areas (places where people tend to live longer and healthier lives), Southwest Florida is invested in wellness practices that encourage the longevity of its residents. Among them is Lee Health’s longstanding relationships with local residential communities like Heritage Palms Golf & Country Club, which became the healthcare network’s first Partners in Wellness community last April.

The new, formalized designation sets guidelines to ensure communities prioritize residents’ health and brings a wealth of Lee Health services to their doorsteps. “The goal is to meet the needs of all residents, whether it’s a family living in Babcock Ranch or a retired resident in Cypress Cove,” says Molly Grubbs, a community and business development representative for Lee Health who helped create the new program.

Residents of Partners in Wellness communities have free access to a concierge service that pairs prospective patients with the right physicians, pharmacists, preventative health screenings, and courses and lectures that teach skills, including CPR certification and how to maintain balance as you age. Lee Health representatives also meet with wellness committees or activities directors in each of the eight partner communities—including Babcock Ranch, Bonita Bay and The Club at Grandezza—to tailor services to residents’ needs.

At Cypress Cove, which became a wellness partner in August, chronic disease management and nutrition were top of mind, says public relations manager Jennifer Benton. A recent health fair brought several specialists to the community to offer guidance on living with common conditions, like diabetes. Working with Spring Run Golf Club, Lee Health brought residents to their Coconut Point teaching kitchen for a cooking class to celebrate the flavors of India. “By focusing on all dimensions of wellness, we keep our residents engaged and leading happier, longer lives,” Jennifer says.

Lee County’s largest independent women’s health practice

Expert, compassionate ob-gyns and midwives

Urogynecology and Pelvic Reconstructive Surgery Center

Cape Coral’s only midwifery practice

Extended hours, including Saturdays, and telehealth

On-site 3D mammography same day as appointment

Adolescent and adult gynecology

High-risk and routine obstetrics care

Menopause management

MonaLisa Touch® to improve sexual health

Minimally invasive surgery, including in-office surgery, advanced laparoscopy and da Vinci® robotics, for faster recovery

Cathy Balogh, DO

Natasha Bower, MD, FACOG

David Hunter Brown, MD, FACOG

Samaris Corona, MD

Cathy Dahl, DO, FACOG

Anita Del Bianco, MD, FACOG

Sarah DiGiorgi, MD, FACOG

Deidra Duncan, DO

Aparna Eligeti, MD, FACOG

Kevin Fleishman, MD, FACOG

Blaise Kovaz, MD, FACOG

Sarah Krauss, MD, FACOG

Richard Murray, MD, FACOG

Shannon O’Hara, MD, FACOG

Kathleen Shimp, MD, FACOG

Amy Borkowski, CNM, MSN, APNP

Theresa Buckley, CNM, MSN, DNP

Sandra Lewis, CNM, MSN

Heidi Zielinski, CNM, MSN

Sydney Dakos, PA