A months-long dispute over the future of pediatric care in Collier County has reached a resolution, as Fort Meyers, Fla.-based Lee Health and Nicklaus Children’s announced a settlement agreement ensuring that the Golisano Children’s Health Center in Naples, Fla., will remain open and operational.
The health systems issued a joint statement May 28 confirming the resolution of their civil case and lease disagreement.
“Lee Health and Nicklaus Children’s Health System are pleased to announce the Golisano Children’s Health Center in Naples will remain in its location and continue serving the families of Collier County,” the statement said. “A settlement agreement has been reached between the two organizations regarding the lease of the facility and the civil case has been resolved.”
Golisano Children’s provides specialized care in over 20 pediatric subspecialties, including cardiology, oncology, and neurology. Its continued operation averts what would have been a major disruption in access for more than 65,000 patients annually.
The agreement follows a legal standoff sparked by Miami-based Nicklaus Children’s March move to terminate Lee Health’s lease, citing the Fort Myers-based system’s transition to a private nonprofit as a breach of the original lease terms. Nicklaus Children’s holds the master lease on the property and had planned to reclaim the facility, issuing a notice that would have forced Lee Health to vacate by April 4.
Lee Health filed a countersuit seeking to block the eviction, arguing that its removal would jeopardize care continuity for thousands of families and upend services critical to the region’s pediatric population.
Emad Salman, MD, chief physician executive at Lee Health, told Becker’s in March, “We have had zero presence from Nicklaus Children’s in this building since 2019. We have continued to pay the lease and invest in the facility to ensure children in this community receive the care they need.”
Lee Health said it has invested more than $5.4 million in upgrades and maintenance at the site since assuming sole operational responsibility six years ago. It warned that losing access to the center would likely force families to travel to Lee County for services not readily available elsewhere in Collier.
Nicklaus Children’s, in its earlier response, maintained it provided adequate notice and attempted multiple times to coordinate a transition, expressing disappointment over the litigation. A spokesperson said the legal dispute would divert limited nonprofit resources from care delivery.
In their joint statement, both health systems struck a collaborative tone, emphasizing shared values and future cooperation.
“Both Lee Health and Nicklaus Children’s share a strong commitment to delivering exceptional healthcare to the children of Collier County. We are grateful for the opportunity to work together to enhance pediatric care in the community,” the statement read.
While details of the settlement have not been publicly disclosed, the immediate outcome is clear: Golisano Children’s Health Center will remain in place, and its suite of pediatric services will continue uninterrupted.
