Physicians Regional Collier Boulevard is Ready for More

I recently spoke with a friend who moved out of Southwest Florida a year ago to be closer to his aging parents. He recently returned for a visit and shared with me how stunned he was by the growth up and down Collier Boulevard in just 12 months.

Physicians Regional has been preparing for this growth for many years. It's not like the Naples area had an option to expand to the west. We all knew this was coming.

Though many of us see this construction daily, viewing this "massive change" through my friend's eyes energized me even more for what lies ahead. It makes me even happier that we have taken such a proactive approach to expanding our footprint and service offerings. 

According to a recent article in the Naples Daily News, as many as 2,111 luxury single-family homes and villas may be built along the corridor in the communities of Caymas, Seven Shores, Tamarindo and Summerlit – all on the northbound side of Collier Boulevard. In addition, Fiori, Sparrow's Amberlin South, Savoy, Allegro and Cadenza, Hammock Park, Azalea Park and Ekos will add 2,228 apartments and townhomes to Collier Boulevard.

At Physicians Regional Healthcare System, we are ready to care for our new friends and neighbors. As a Southwest Florida native, though the landscape has and will continue to change, I hope our collective hearts remain focused on the greater good of the community we are so fortunate to share.

To prepare for this growth, we have consistently invested in state-of-the-art technology, staff, and facility improvements. This includes Physicians Regional Marco Island on the corner of Barfield and San Marco, providing urgent care, physical therapy, imaging capabilities, and access to physicians in various specialties.

Though I am proud to serve as Market CEO for Physicians Regional Healthcare System, our most recent investment is specific to the Collier Boulevard campus: new leadership focused on the needs of the patient population on Marco Island and in East Naples.

Karl Leistikow joined us as our new chief executive officer just a few months ago. With more than 16 years of healthcare leadership experience, Karl will focus on customer service, strategic initiatives, and quality, as well as building collaborative relationships with physicians and employees. 

Accredited by the Joint Commission, our Collier Boulevard hospital is a 212,400 square-foot, 130-bed acute care facility located in the heart of East Naples. The Collier Boulevard campus also includes a 94,000-square-foot medical office building.

In addition to its bariatric accreditation, the facility has been designated as a Primary Stroke Center by the DNV and is an accredited Chest Pain Center with Primary PCI by the American College of Cardiology. 

"As the population meets its 4.5% forecast in the next five years, Physicians Regional will be able to grow and acuitize, offering new, higher acuity services, improved quality scores, and better patient experiences," Karl said. 

Karl comes to Physicians Regional Healthcare System from Swedish Medical Center, HCA Healthcare in Englewood, Colorado, where he has served as the chief operating officer since 2019. 

Before joining Swedish Medical Center, Karl was the chief operating officer of Summerville Medical Center, HCA Healthcare, Summerville, SC; vice president of operations of Trident Medical Center, HCA Healthcare; and division director of project management at HCA Healthcare, South Atlantic Division. 

His development and operational experience includes leading and overseeing significant growth and expansion initiatives, including new patient towers, surgical services, cath lab, imaging capabilities, and the emergency department. 

He received a Master of Business Administration and a Master of Public Health degree from the University of Alabama (Birmingham) and a Bachelor of Arts in Biology from Ripon College.

"What excites me the most about this opportunity is leading a team that provides exceptional patient care to the community," Karl said. "I am thoroughly enjoying this opportunity and the exciting process of  getting to know our staff and the community."

Of course, Karl and his family also enjoy the benefits of our shared geography and its immense benefits. "I love the people, the climate, the general vibe, the professional opportunity, and, of course, the fishing."

Karl, on behalf of a compassionate community that will benefit from all you have to offer and the most dedicated healthcare team in Southwest Florida, I proudly welcome you to the Physicians Regional Family.