Lee Health names Ben Spence as new CEO in leadership shift

After a five-month national search, Lee Health selected its next president and CEO from within its own ranks. 

Fort Myers-based Lee Health, the largest healthcare system in Southwest Florida and one of the largest in the state, named Chief Operating Officer Ben Spence as its next president and CEO during a June 8 press conference. Spence will succeed Dr. Larry Antonucci, who announced in December 2025 that he would retire when his contract expires at the end of September after nine years leading the health system. 

Spence's appointment takes effect Oct. 1, and he will continue serving as COO until then. 

Lee Health's board of directors worked with recruiting firm Heidrick & Struggles on the search, which included more than a dozen candidates from across the healthcare industry. 

Spence joined the system in 1995 as a reimbursement clerk in the financial services department and has since held progressively senior leadership roles spanning finance, strategy and operations. He served more than a decade as chief financial officer before being named COO in January 2025, according to Lee Health. 

Speaking at the press conference, Antonucci said the board selected Spence because of his deep roots at Lee Health and “his proven leadership and operational expertise, his commitment to safe, high-quality, compassionate care and a clear vision for the future of healthcare in our region.” 

Antonucci expressed his full support for Spence's appointment and said Spence is widely respected throughout the organization. 

“I have tremendous confidence in his ability to lead Lee Health forward, ensuring we continue to deliver the exceptional care our patients, families and communities expect and deserve,” Antonucci said. 

Mike Wukitsch, who leads Lee Health's human resources division, said Spence consistently stood out during the search process. 

Asked what tipped the scale toward an internal candidate, Wukitsch said the search committee recognized Spence's track record of success across multiple leadership roles. 

“The role that Ben has played as CFO and COO clearly showed that his ability to lead us forward is there, and he was also part of the creation of our strategic plan, so he's very aware of what we're doing and where we're going,” Wukitsch said. 

Spence said he put his name forward as a candidate right away after Antonucci announced his retirement last December. 

“It's all about the mission to me,” Spence said in explaining his decision to pursue the position. “It wasn't about the role; it's more about the goal of wanting to make a difference. And I believe in this organization, I believe in the culture that we've created, and I want to protect that culture.” 

Leading into an expansive future 

As president and CEO, Spence will lead an expanding system comprising four acute care hospitals, Golisano Children's Hospital, three skilled nursing locations and a variety of outpatient facilities, urgent care centers, primary care offices and specialty practices. 

Antonucci's tenure included significant growth, including expansions at Gulf Coast Medical Center in south Fort Myers and Cape Coral Hospital, the opening of Lee Health Coconut Point and the planning and groundbreaking of the new $820 million Lee Health Fort Myers campus at Colonial and Jones-Walker boulevards. Most recently, Lee Health broke ground on a 60,000-square-foot pediatric outpatient center in partnership with Milwaukee-based Landmark Healthcare Facilities next to Golisano Children’s Hospital and the HealthPark Medical Center campus in south Fort Myers. 

Antonucci also guided Lee Health through its governance transition in late 2024 from a public entity to a private nonprofit, positioning the system for future expansion into neighboring counties. 

Spence said he is committed to meeting the healthcare needs of Southwest Florida's rapidly growing population by making care easier to access, expanding the Lee Health footprint physically, virtually and with in-home services. 

“We have a strong plan today that we've helped build, and we're not slowing down,” Spence said. “It's not time to stand still. We're going to be moving forward aggressively with our expansion plans and with creating a great workforce, recruiting and retaining the best and the brightest from all over the country.”