Hospital foundation names chief

FORT MYERS — Lee Memorial Health System Foundation named Elwood “Skip” Leonard as chief foundation officer.

Leonard most recently led the office of development and alumni relations for Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center and the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth College, where he was responsible for philanthropic activities that included a combined $1.2 billion endowment. In 2014, Leonard's team raised $70 million in cash and pledges and planned a $600 million campaign focused on population health.

Leonard takes over from Sharon MacDonald, who continues to serve the health system as chief administrative officer of oncology, a role she has held concurrent with being the Chief Foundation Officer. She also oversees Lee Memorial Health System's home health services.

“When Sharon MacDonald relinquished her responsibilities earlier this year, we knew it wouldn't be easy to find someone to fill her shoes,” says Jim Nathan, president of Lee Memorial Health System. “We are excited to welcome Skip and confident that he will continue to build upon the strong foundation Sharon and her team have developed.”

Fort Myers-based Lee Memorial operates four hospitals as well as two specialty hospitals, outpatient health centers and physicians practices.