HCA Florida Healthcare completes purchase of Lehigh Regional Medical Center

Tampa, FL – HCA Florida Healthcare, one of the state’s leading health systems, today announced it has completed the purchase of Lehigh Regional Medical Center from California-based Prime Healthcare. The 53-bed hospital in Lehigh Acres, Florida, has operated in Lee County and surrounding counties since 1965.

“This hospital and associated physician practices are a wonderful complimentary addition to our existing 17 hospitals within our division along Florida’s West Coast and will serve as a catalyst for growth as we further expand our services and programs in Lee County,” said Jyric Sims, Ph.D. president of HCA Healthcare West Florida Division. “We are also excited to announce construction of the hospital’s first freestanding emergency room, HCA Florida Alico Emergency, on Alico Road near Three Oaks Parkway with an anticipated opening in 2026.

HCA Florida Healthcare operates more than 650 affiliated sites of care across the Sunshine State. The $134.5 million invested in the acquisition of Lehigh Regional Medical Center and the construction of the new HCA Florida Alico Emergency along with the two existing freestanding emergency rooms in Lee County, HCA Florida Cape Coral Emergency and HCA Florida West Fort Myers Emergency, will further expand the network’s acute care footprint in the county. HCA Florida Healthcare also operates multiple ambulatory surgery centers and other services in the area.  

The hospital has been renamed HCA Florida Lehigh Hospital and will be part of the HCA Healthcare West Florida Division, which serves communities along the West Coast from Lee County north through Citrus County.

Paige Laughlin has been named chief executive officer of the hospital.  Other leadership appointments include Cheryl McIntire, chief financial officer, Brian Hummel, MD, chief medical officer, Harry Walk, RN, chief nursing officer and Amanda Jackson, vice president human resources.

In becoming part of HCA Healthcare, Lehigh Regional Medical Center patients and the Lehigh Acres community will now have access to the integrated, high-quality specialized care that HCA Florida Healthcare provided through more than 11.6 million patient encounters. Lehigh Regional Medical Center currently provides specialty care services, including Emergency Services, Cardiology, Gastroenterology, General Surgery, Nephrology and Orthopedics. These services are planned to continue and expand under HCA Florida Healthcare.