Lee Health CEO Dr. Larry Antonucci retires after 43 years

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA — A healthcare leader with more than four decades of service is stepping down.

Dr. Larry Antonucci walked out of Lee Health for the last time as its president and CEO, wrapping up a career he says he never planned.

Antonucci first came to Southwest Florida in 1983 as an OB-GYN, spending 24 years delivering babies before ever stepping into an executive role.

"No, I had no idea. When I came here in 1983, my goal was to deliver babies until I retired," Antonucci said.

He eventually traded the delivery room for the executive office, becoming Lee Health's president and CEO in 2017.

From there, he led the system through some of its most defining years, including major expansion, a historic shift from a public health system to a private nonprofit, hurricanes and COVID-19.

He described the pandemic as both the scariest and most inspiring time of his career.

"We were learning literally on the fly. We were changing protocols daily, and our staff showed up every day and night, not knowing what they were exposing themselves to," Antonucci said.

Now, after 43 years in the community, he says the timing feels right.

"My girls, my three daughters, my grandkids now, my sons-in-law, they've had to share me with Lee Health for 40-plus years. So now I'm all theirs, October 1," Antonucci said.

As he looks back, he hopes people remember him for more than just his title.

"I've been here 43 years, and I tried to make it better than it was when I got here," Antonucci said.

Ben Spence takes over as president and CEO, and Antonucci plans to stay involved in the community, including his work with Florida Gulf Coast University.