President and CEO, Lee Memorial Health System
Date: Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Speaking Focus: Health

Cohen Center, Room 213

Jim Nathan served as Lee Memorial Health System President from 1982 through 1997 and again as President/CEO since 2000. During the nearly 3 years he was away from LMHS, he served as a leadership consultant including involvement in health reform issues at the national level. Jim joined Lee Memorial Hospital as Administrative Resident in 1975 and served as Vice President from 1976 through 1981. As CEO, Jim led Lee Memorial's emergence as a health system with four acute care hospitals, a rehabilitation hospital, a children's hospital, a skilled nursing facility, a home health agency, multiple physician practices and outpatient services. Lee Memorial Health System has received many recognitions including Thompson Reuters 100 Top Hospitals, HealthGrades Excellence, Employer of Choice, AARP Top 10 employer in nation, and Premier Healthcare Employer.

Jim is a past chairman of the Florida Hospital Association and founding chairman of the Safety Net Hospital Alliance of Florida. He serves on the Boards of Voluntary Hospitals of America - Southeast Regional Partnership, Southwest Florida Community Foundation, and Florida Gulf Coast University Foundation. He was the founding Chairman of the Coalition for a Drug-Free Southwest Florida and previously served as Campaign Chairman and President of the United Way of Lee County. Jim was awarded the Clara Barton Humanitarian Award by the American Red Cross, the Business Building Leadership Award by the Chamber of Commerce of Southwest Florida, the Distinguished Alumni Award for Xavier University's Graduate Program in Health Administration, and the Founder's Award from Lee Mental Health for his on-going support of mental health initiatives in Southwest Florida. He was voted a "Person of the Decade" by Gulfshore Life, chosen as a 2010 Laureate for Junior Achievement, and named "person of Distinction" for the past 25 years by The News-Press. Jim is a Fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE).

Jim has been a national keynote speaker on many health care topics including the history of health care from a social, economic and political perspective; health care reform; and creative funding for medically uninsured population. He has testified before the US Senate on competition and antitrust issues related to health care delivery and financing. Jim holds a Bachelors in Business Administration from Miami University; Masters Degrees in both Business Administration and in Health Care Administration from Xavier University; and an Honorary Doctorate in Healthcare Administration from Southwest Florida College. Married to Karen, PhD, education consultant, for 41 years with married sons, Zachary and Adam.

The Community Speaks: James R. Nathan (YouTube Video: 39mins)