It’s time to design an aerial banner that celebrates a special occasion in Lee County. The cause for celebration—a medical institution that is embracing a focus on prevention and wellness, as well as integrative medicine and patient and community outreach education. Formerly known as Lee Memorial Health System, Lee Health is not only the largest healthcare system in Southwest Florida but also the leader of a national movement that involves several aspects.

Wellness Centers and Integrative Medicine Practice

Lee Health Wellness Centers in Cape Coral and Fort Myers are medically based fitness facilities designed to meet the needs of the entire community. Regardless of current health status or age, these centers can help individuals achieve new levels of well-being under the guidance of degreed and certified fitness professionals and wellness staff members that supervise fitness and wellness services at all times.

Activities and programs offered at the wellness centers include mind and body, a healthy life series, hypnotherapy, walking club, lending library and onsite nutrition counseling.

The Lee Health Integrative Medicine Practice in Bonita Springs is a partner with the Healthy Life Center and Wellness Center in providing wellness care to improve vitality and quality of life. Through programming at both locations, Dr. Heather Auld and Teresa Spano, naturopathic consultant, provide education on treatment options such as nutritional counseling and the measurement of micronutrients to bio-identical hormone therapy, acupuncture, and herbal medicine as well as others.

Healthy Life Center

The Healthy Life Center, the first of its kind, is a health information and education destination offering a variety of services and education to support healthy lifestyles, early detection of disease and chronic disease management. Events and offerings include preventive screenings, classes, workshops and seminars on various aspects of healthy lifestyles. Cooking demonstrations and children’s programs are a regular occurrence. The center also has a wellness library.

Whole Food, Plant-Based Living Group Monthly Meet-Up

For individuals interested in living a whole food, plant-based lifestyle, the Healthy Life Center has a monthly Meet-up group that share recipes and provides support at the Healthy Life Center—Coconut Point, and the Wellness Center—Cape Coral.

“We created this group because we know that changing eating habits and staying on track with them isn’t easy,” says Molly Grubbs, director of the Healthy Life Center. “The group, which is led by lifestyle coach and certified nutrition and wellness expert Lora Ulrich, provides an opportunity to share stories, tips and recipes, and ask and get answers to questions about a whole food, plant-based lifestyle.”

The Whole Food Plant-Based Living Group is free to join. It meets at 11:30 a.m. on the first Wednesday of the month at the Healthy Life Center—Coconut Point and at 5:30 p.m. on the second Tuesday of the month at the Wellness Center—Cape Coral.

Memory Café

Lee Health teamed with the Alzheimer’s Association, Alvin A. Dubin Alzheimer’s Resource Center, the Florida Gulf Coast University and Keiser University to create and host the Memory Café, a monthly gathering for individuals living with mild cognitive impairment, Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias. Care partners are also invited to participate.

“The gatherings provide a social outlet and opportunities to meet people, learn something new and participate in activities such as dancing, journaling, or arts and crafts,” explains Grubbs. “Living with, as well as caring for someone with cognitive impairments and/or dementia can be challenging. Through Memory Café, Lee Health wants to create a way to support the patient and the caregiver in a fun, relaxed and friendly way.”

Lee Health provides the space for the gatherings while the Alzheimer’s Association and Alzheimer’s Resource Center provide resources and support. Florida Gulf Coast University students will participate as a course-based, service-learning activity, which will enhance their understanding of older adults and those living with dementias. Keiser will track and measure outcomes regarding whether participants feel more socially engaged with others and if the gatherings make attendees feel less socially isolated from others.

The Memory Café meets at Cape Coral Hospital in Classroom A on the second Friday of each month from 10 a.m. to noon. The Memory Café at the Healthy Life Center—Coconut Point meets on the third Saturday of each month from 10 a.m. to noon.

Lee Health – Coconut Point

When completed in 2018, Lee Health—Coconut Point campus will offer a broad array of medical services combined with a healing environment. The approximately $140 million project will be located on a 31-acre site south of the Coconut Point Mall.

Wellness Center—Cape Coral, 609 SE 13th Ct., Cape Coral. 239-424-3210.

Healthy Life Center, 23190 Fashion Dr., Ste. 105, Estero. 239-495-4475. Email [email protected]

Integrative Medicine, 26800 S. Tamiami Tr., Ste. 350, Bonita Springs, 239-495-4482.