July 9, 2025

Phil Lee Embraces Leadership at Florida Blue

News Summary

Phil Lee takes the reins as market president for Florida Blue in West Florida, aiming to honor the legacy of his predecessor, David Pizzo. With nearly two decades at the company, Lee focuses on a relationship-first approach, enhancing emotional well-being and community partnerships. His leadership emphasizes servant leadership principles, expanding community engagement through initiatives addressing food insecurity and mental health. Lee’s commitment to accessible healthcare and responsible technology integration showcases Florida Blue’s dedication to serving over 1.3 million members in Tampa Bay.

Tampa Bay, Florida – Phil Lee, the market president for Florida Blue’s West Florida region, is marking over a year in his role, which he took over following the passing of David Pizzo. Pizzo, known for his impactful leadership in the healthcare sector for more than 16 years, significantly shaped the local healthcare landscape, and Lee aims to honor his legacy while expanding Florida Blue’s influence and community engagement.

Focusing on a “relationship-first” approach, Lee prioritizes emotional well-being and personal connections among his team, believing that understanding individuals on a personal level results in a more effective work environment. This method also aims to foster cooperation and trust among staff and members alike.

Lee’s journey to healthcare leadership began in St. Charles County, Missouri, where he developed an early connection to the industry through his mother’s career as a nurse and later a hospital administrator. Initially interested in medicine, he transitioned to health insurance, recognizing it as a more fitting avenue to impact health outcomes at a larger scale. With nearly 19 years of experience at Florida Blue, Lee is determined to serve over 1.3 million members in the West Florida region effectively.

Having moved to Tampa Bay with his family, Lee describes the community as filled with warmth yet facing various challenges. He appreciates the genuine welcome received from local residents, which instills a sense of belonging and duty to serve the community. In his commitment to engaging with local partners, staff, and nonprofit organizations, Lee advocates for listening to the community’s needs to strengthen support systems and healthcare access.

As a leader, Lee embodies the principles of servant leadership, striving to guide by example and demonstrate empathy in his management style. His previous tenure as chief of staff to Florida Blue’s CEO provided him with invaluable insights into strategy and values-driven leadership, which he utilizes to enhance Florida Blue’s mission and operations.

Florida Blue currently operates three community retail centers across the Tampa Bay area, which offer a range of services beyond traditional health insurance. These centers facilitate health screenings, wellness classes, and behavioral health resilience training, underscoring the organization’s commitment to accessible healthcare services, which are available to everyone in the community, regardless of their membership status.

Lee’s vision also includes expanding community partnerships with a particular focus on pressing issues such as food insecurity and mental health, and he plays a key role in programs like the “Strike the Stigma” initiative, developed in collaboration with the Tampa Bay Lightning. This initiative seeks to raise awareness and break down barriers surrounding mental health discussions.

An advocate for the incorporation of technology in healthcare, Lee is enthusiastic about utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance operational efficiency, aiming to reduce wait times and improve patient interactions while preserving essential human connections. He emphasizes the importance of ethical governance in AI and actively collaborates with academic experts to promote discussions about the future of healthcare technology.

In Lee’s perspective, serving as market president is not only a position of leadership but also one of stewardship, ensuring that Florida Blue remains committed to integrity while exploring innovative pathways for care. He believes that investing in community health initiatives is crucial not only from a moral standpoint but also as a critical factor in achieving sustainable long-term health outcomes.

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Additional Resources

Author: STAFF HERE TAMPA WRITER

The TAMPA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERETampa.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Tampa, Hillsborough County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Gasparilla Pirate Festival, Florida State Fair, and Tampa Riverfest. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce and United Way Suncoast, plus leading businesses in healthcare, finance, and technology that power the local economy such as BayCare Health System, Grow Financial Federal Credit Union, and KnowBe4. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREOrlando.com, HERESTPetersburg.com, and HERETallahassee.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.

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