Questions and Answers

As a candidate for the Lee Health System Board, David Klein is happy to answer voters’ questions. Here, we’ve provided answers to frequently asked questions. However, if you don’t see what you’re looking for in these frequently asked questions, we would love to hear from you!

Why is voting for Lee Health System Board important?

Simply, because your health care depends on it. Lee Health System and its hospitals are the most critical assets in our community’s health care system, and the Lee Health System Board alone is accountable for assuring that they are well managed.
One thing you don’t want to skip on the ballot this year is the Lee Health System Board election. Its down-ballot position understates the importance of the election. However, it is well worth the time to research the candidates and to vote for the best possible leadership.

Why did you decide to run for the Lee Health System Board?

Giving back to one’s community is one of my core values. And it’s something I have practiced no matter where I have lived nor what my job was. Many of my directorship and advisory roles are with not-for-profits. I receive tremendous satisfaction from helping them. Making a difference is what I do, and I have a track record to prove it. I am an experienced, knowledgeable and successful health care business leader. Simply put, there is no one on the board today, or running in this race, like me and Lee Health System is facing significant issues. This is a major void that I fill. I have a proven track record of helping large health care organizations redefine challenges to be opportunities where significant growth and performance improvement was then realized.

What are your qualifications to serve as an effective Lee Health System Director?

There is no one on the Board or the ballot with the health care or even the general business leadership experience that I have. Yet, Lee Health System is a $2+ billion, 14,000 employee business. This is a major void that I can fill. My lifelong values regarding health care are the same as Lee Health System namely to respectfully deliver excellent, compassionate care from outstanding doctors and other health care providers.

David Klein at a Glance

Current Lee Health Directors want David on the board
Four-decade career leading numerous health care and health plan companies
Served as CEO of a multi-billion-dollar health plan company with almost 2 million members
Served as CEO of health care delivery system with over 140,000 patients
Knows governance
Knows Lee Health System and Lee County
Has track record of locally making a difference
Fills a void on the board as they face significant issues
Lee Health System needs him given its challenges

My credentials are outstanding for the assignment. These include:

Very relevant management experience and demonstrated expertise having successfully led a not-for-profit health care company three times the size of than Lee Health System
Deep experience in both health care delivery and health plan.
Demonstrated commitment to caring for the broad population as evidenced by my long history of not-for-profit health care leadership.
Strong record as a health care innovator working with many venture and private equity funds and their portfolio companies.
Experience and demonstrated expertise in both for-profit and not-for-profit governance, currently or previously serving in chair, lead director or committee chair roles.
Continuing to be a nationally sought-after health care industry advisor, maintaining national network and awareness of industry trends
Having an effective, inclusive leadership style confirmed by recognition of my contributions and being asked to serve in successor leadership roles
Having a legacy of giving back to my community with notable contributions with United Way, Scouting and American Cancer Society.
Knowing Lee Health System having been a strategy advisor to executive management, member of Finance and Investment Committee, observer at board and committee meetings, director of Lee Health System Foundation and advisor Lee Health System Behavioral Health.
Knowing Lee County currently serving as an advisor to FGCU Marieb College of Health and Human Services, a director of United Way and a member of the Ad Hoc Steering Committee on Behavioral Health
Having a track record of making a difference in Lee County with best examples being with Lee Health System strategy, behavioral health, aging at home and substance abuse treatment

In your mind, what is the role of a Lee Health System Director?

The primary job of a board member is to assure Lee Health System fulfills its mission of compassionately caring for the residents of Lee County by advocating for the balance of access, quality and sound financial management

This occurs through the Board Directors:

Recruiting and managing the CEO
Approving the strategy, operational plan and budget developed by the CEO
Monitoring performance
Holding the CEO accountable for achieving the plan and budget.

Special attention by the director is afforded to capital expenditures like building a new hospital or center, as well as quality, satisfaction, and patient safety.

Importantly, the position maintains a direct board relationship with the medical staff. In fact, when it comes to achieving a health system’s mission, nothing is more important than the physicians, and in many ways, the hospitals are their workshops. Understanding and meeting their needs is crucial.

Finally, there are regulatory and compliance roles, as specified by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and the Florida Department of Health.