The NCH Healthcare System History

The 1990s opened with NCH becoming a two-hospital system. The North Collier Hospital opened in January with a 50-bed, full service acute-care facility. The expansion was planned to meet the growing needs of northern Collier County and southern Lee County residents. It was a complete hospital with obstetrics, 36 medical-surgical beds and six intensive care beds. Other services included scanning, endoscopy, nuclear medicine, respiratory therapy, radiology, ultrasound and a medical laboratory.

Responding to the need to expand outpatient services in 1994, North Collier Hospital added a 30,000-square-foot outpatient wing, including a new emergency department.

1996 WAS A BUSY YEAR

In late 1996, NCH consolidated its obstetrical and newborn services at the North Collier campus. This wing was named "The Birth Place" and offered triage bays and a dozen labor, delivery and recovery rooms. Today, the General David H. and Shirley A. Baker Women’s & Children's Pavilion houses all obstetrical, and newborn services.

In late 1996, NCH expanded its cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation program to North Collier Hospital.

One of the biggest pieces of news since the founding of NCH in the 1950s was the opening of the Shick Heart Center in October 1996. The cardiac care center’s services meant that patients no longer had to leave Collier County for coronary bypass or repair procedures. Today NCH performs more than 400 open-heart surgeries each year and has become a top-ranked destination for cardiac excellence in Florida.

Continue to: The Millennium and Beyond (2000 - Today)