Lee Health made history with a new menu that was years in the making.
"It is an incredible opportunity and honor to be the first hospital in the Untied States to receive the American Heart Association's Heart-Check certification for our meals," said Dr. Larry Antonucci, the president and CEO of Lee Health.
Lee Health has seven dishes that are now certified and passed the high standards the American Heart Association have set.
The goal is to help the cardiovascular health of patients, visitors, and staff.
"We know what we put in our bodies is going to impact your health," said Dr. Antonucci. "These are the types of meals that are going to effect your heart so positively that we are very excited," he added.
The Heart-Check certified meals are available all across Lee Health hospitals in Southwest Florida including Cape Coral Hospital, Gulf Coast Medical Center, HealthPark Medical Center, and Lee Memorial Hospital.
The American Heart Association hopes other hospitals follow Lee Health's lead.
"We are very confident you are going to see this expand to a bunch of other systems," said David Markiewicz. "It will be nothing finer for us to say 'this started with Lee Health and has grown into incredible proportions'," he added.
Lee Health's Heart-Check certified menu includes options like egg white omelets, whole grain waffles, salmon, pasta, and a black bean burger.
