Two Lee Health administrators will present an update on their medical system at the first SanCap Chamber business meeting to be held at Sundial Beach Resort on Sanibel Island since before Hurricane Ian. The meeting takes place Thursday, Aug. 1, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. It will begin with a ribbon-cutting to celebrate Sundial’s official post-hurricane reopening, to be held at the bottom of the steps in front of the resort.
Speakers include Dr. Larry Antonucci, chief operating officer of Lee Health Hospital Services, and Michael Nachef, SanCap Chamber board member and Vice President of Government Relations for Lee Health. MHK Architecture will sponsor the event.
“We are very excited to welcome the chamber luncheon to the Sundial as our first business event,” said Becky Miller, Sundial general manager. “We are so excited to get our business back open and our team back to work. The chamber is especially important to us as they are our number-one business partner on the island, and they have supported us through so many things as we have been working to come back to life since Hurricane Ian.”
“The last time the chamber met at Sundial was in April 2022 for our 60th anniversary annual meeting,” said John Lai, president and chief executive officer of the SanCap Chamber. “Our return to the resort for our monthly business meeting marks a nostalgic moment for the chamber and a victorious occasion for the entire community. We are proud to present two such renowned, respected speakers for the occasion.”
Before joining Lee Health, Dr. Larry Antonucci was a practicing obstetrician and gynecologist in Fort Myers for 24 years. He joined Lee Health as chief administrative officer for Cape Coral Hospital in 2007. Two years later, he was appointed chief operating officer of hospital services for the health system and assumed responsibility for physician services in early 2010. In October 2011, Dr. Antonucci stepped into the position of chief operating officer for the Lee Health system. He was named president and chief executive officer in June 2017.
Dr. Antonucci has been a driving force in Lee Health’s patient safety program, which has won numerous awards and consistently ranks high in CMS’s Quality Star program.
Nachef has been with Lee Health since 2016, when he joined the organization as director of government relations. Prior to his role at Lee Health, Nachef spent more than six years working for the state of Florida. He served as a legislative assistant with the Florida Senate, where he helped craft legislation and move it through the legislative process.
As an in-house registered lobbyist, Nachef works closely with elected officials and their staff at the local, state, and federal levels. His work is focused on policy and funding issues that affect healthcare delivery and cost for residents of Southwest Florida. He also collaborates with hospital, community, and statewide leaders to achieve positive outcomes for Lee Health and the region. The strong working relationships with elected officials and staff benefit healthcare delivery for Lee Health and all Southwest Florida.
Nachef currently serves as chair of the Florida Gulf Coast University alumni board of directors and as a member of the SanCap Chamber board of directors. He is also a corporate board member, governance committee chair, and chair-elect for the Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Sun Coast. In 2019, Nachef was appointed by the governor to serve on the Florida Greenways and Trails Council.
The chamber business lunch is a monthly networking opportunity held at various member locations. The chamber strives to provide speakers to discuss business topics relevant to the membership. SanCap Chamber members receive meeting invitations by email. Cost for luncheon attendance is $35.
Advanced registration is required to attend; walk-ins are not accepted. Register by 5 p.m. on Friday, July 26, at sanibel-captiva.org or by contacting Aaron Walton at [email protected] or 239-472-8759. Payment is due at time of registration.
ABOUT SANCAP CHAMBER
The SanCap Chamber is dedicated to promoting the prosperity of its members and preserving the quality of life of our community. The Chamber plays a key role in facilitating communication and cooperation between business, residents, and government to enhance the economic health of the islands. Its website, sanibel-captiva.org, receives over 1.3 million visits per year. For more information about the chamber, visit sanibel-captiva.org or contact John Lai, president and CEO, at 239-472-2348 or [email protected].
