See the latest Naples Daily News article on the NCH Heart, Vascular, and Stroke Institute

Heart, Vascular, and Stroke Institute
FOCUSED ON QUALITY WITH EXCEPTIONAL PATIENT EXPERIENCES
NCH has been a pioneer in the cardiac arena for nearly 25 years and is committed to providing the highest quality of cardiovascular care in Southwest Florida. To ensure Naples has the best critical care close to home, we are working closely with the city of Naples and our community to build a new home for heart, vascular, and stroke care at the downtown campus.
Update on City Council Process for the Proposed Institute
NCH has submitted an application with a revised, detailed site plan.
Next steps:
- City Planning staff to review the application and revised site plan.
- Planning Advisory Board must pass the application and detailed site plan by fall 2023.
Events
City of Naples Design Review Board Meeting
Wednesday, April 26
9:00 a.m.
Naples City Hall/City Council Chamber
735 8th Street South
Naples, FL 34102
You are invited to join us in support.
Neighborhood Open House Events
Thursday, March 2 and Sunday, April 11
Two open house events were held to listen to our neighbors. Thank you to those of you who attended. We appreciate your feedback.








Click the play button to watch video
At the HEART of What Matters Most
At the Rooney Heart Institute, we believe our compassionate care is what sets us apart. From diagnosis to recovery, our renowned physicians and team provide an unparalleled comprehensive cardiac care program. As one of America’s 100 best hospitals for cardiac care, this commitment has situated NCH to be at the forefront of patient care.
For more information on our award-winning cardiac services, please call 239-624-4200 or visit NCHheart.com.
Our Future
Expanding Our Capabilities
We are working closely with City Council and our community to build a new Heart, Vascular, and Stroke Institute at the downtown campus.
The proximity of the new proposed building to our main hospital building is strategic and will allow for the integration and purposeful use of our existing three new state-of-the-art cardiovascular operating rooms and cardiovascular intensive care units. The addition of two-three additional cardiovascular operating rooms and 20+ other cardiac intensive care units will be vital to care for the needs of our community.
We have modeled many of our strategic objectives around the key foundational elements of every existing top heart program in America, while staying true to being an independent, community-based healthcare organization.
Leading through the core values and integral principles of clinical excellence, research, education and innovations we have embarked in the extraordinary journey to become the premier cardiac care healthcare system in Southwest Florida.
Site Rendering - Video
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Campus Site Overview
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*This is not the official design or rendering of the proposed Heart, Vascular, and Stroke Institute
HEART, VASCULAR, AND STROKE INSTITUTE FAQs
Our goal is for city leaders to consider our proposed text changes to be considered as a Public Service District (PSD). The first reading will be made by Council in August with other readings to follow.
Our ask to the city is to construct one new five story building plus a new parking garage on our main campus. This will provide space to house vital hospital infrastructure, including technology and the support operations for our cardiac care sub-specialties, improving access to our services for our patients.
NCH Healthcare System is committed to providing exceptional and comprehensive heart, stroke, and vascular care to our community. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States and nearly 70% of NCH’s heart and stroke patients requiring interventions live within 10 miles of the downtown Baker campus. We are focused on providing clinical excellence with world-class physicians, bolstered by our clinical research and education initiatives. The new building will be home to the heart, vascular, and stroke services and is necessary for us to succeed in delivering top-quality patient care.
We have already received accolades and recognition for our exceptional quality and patient outcomes. Our focus on continued excellence means working to provide additional services and procedures for our patients. We are actively recruiting nationally acclaimed physicians which will advance our research institute where we currently have over a dozen clinical trials underway. While the building is essential to meet the needs of our community, it will also be a symbol of the innovative patient‐centered integrated care that we seek to deliver.
We will gain talent and expertise in cardiothoracic surgery for the treatment of complex valvular disease for the sickest of patients with failing heart, and the inception of disease-specific Centers of Excellence for patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and other complex aortopathies. The new institute will enable access to novel mechanical circulatory support therapies for patients with end-stage heart disease and the collection of contemporary minimally invasive percutaneous heart therapies like no other program in the region.
Diagrams and elevations of the building can be found here. Plans call for a modern, state of the art building that will be a beautiful addition to our campus and one that our entire community will be proud of. Based on concerns about building heights which we have been hearing from residents, we have already amended the plan from a six-story to a five-story building. The trees and vegetation that are already on campus will remain and more foliage will be brought in to further enhance the beauty of our campus while remaining true to the dense landscape feel that is symbolic of old Naples.
The proximity of the new proposed building to our main hospital is strategic and will allow for the integration and purposeful use of our existing three new state-of-the-art cardiovascular ORs and cardiovascular intensive care units. The addition of two-three additional cardiovascular ORs and 20+ other cardiac intensive care units will be vital to care for the needs of our community.
With the increasing demands of cardiac services, our expectations are to double the number of hybrid, catheterization lab and electrophysiology suites.
We have historically performed approximately 450-500 open-heart procedures per year. With the addition of the new institute and expertise for higher acuity care, our predicted surgical volume will increase but it’s too early to determine how much. We do anticipate an increase in the number of electrophysiology, endovascular and structural heart interventions we will be able to accommodate in the near-term.
We predict that close to 30-40% of cardiothoracic surgical cases and other cases are still being referred out of the region and state. Our vision is to ensure our community can stay close to home for their care.
Our goal is to build a robust heart failure program. Heart failure remains one of the leading causes of cardiac death and the #1 cause of hospital readmissions in America. Offering our patients in the community the full breadth of therapies to treat end-stage heart failure including LVAD and heart transplant may be necessary one day. The inception of these programs may evolve with time, but only and if the demands of our community and our patients are there.
We have modeled many of our strategic objectives around the key foundational elements of every existing top heart program in America, while staying true to being an independent, community-based healthcare organization.
NCH was built by the community, for the community. As a not-for-profit organization, we will need the support of our entire community to build a top-quality cardiac and stroke program. We are in the early stages of planning a fundraising campaign to transform our ability to deliver world-class care and build this new facility. The projected cost is $150 million, a significant portion of which will be raised through philanthropy.
Yes, we plan on improving cardiac services on the north end of town as well with the addition of two new cath labs at North Naples Hospital with plenty of room there to grow and expand services to keep pace with the growing northern section of Collier County. NCH monitors the growth of our community closely to determine where services are needed most, and with nearly 70% of all stroke and cardiac patients living within ten miles of the downtown Baker campus, that is why the decision was made to place it there.
NCH leaders recently conducted a listening tour where we met with groups in our community including HOA groups in Naples. We understand the building height is a concern and appreciate all of the feedback we received. In an effort to bring world-class quality care to the heart of Naples, we have revised our proposal to the city.
The big change is the height. The revised height is almost the same height as our current Baker hospital downtown. Our primary goal with this project is to replace our current Telford building with the new heart, stoke and vascular facility. The new building will attach to our current hospital so that our CVICU can be in close proximity and will provide new technology and efficiencies for our physicians. The building is being developed to ensure we have the capacity to deliver lifesaving services to our community. View the revised plan here.
The Rooney Heart Institute at NCH of NCH Healthcare System was established over 25 years ago. Our award-winning institute is recognized for its Code Save-A-Heart Program, Open Heart Surgery Program, Structural Heart Program (TAVR and WATCHMAN) and innovative, state-of-the-art technology.
Facts about our current program:
- Rated in the 95th percentile of STEMI performing hospitals in America and safest place to have a heart attack.
- NCH currently has 20 cardiologists and three heart surgeons.
- The Society for Thoracic Surgeons (STS) awarded NCH Healthcare System a top three-star rating for its patient care and outcomes in isolated coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). The three-star rating denotes the highest category of quality.
- Our specialists have practiced at some of the top systems in the country including Mass General, Emory Healthcare, Cleveland Clinic and more.
- We have evolved to embrace the contemporary practice of a minimalistic approach to TAVR, using conscious sedation to assure patients an expedited recovery and next day discharge in over 90% of our patients.
- Our door to balloon time is 38 minutes. The national average is 75 minutes.
- We have a world-class, innovative SIM Center where clinicians can practice procedures.
PROPOSED PLANS
NCH Healthcare System leaders have been meeting with community members and recently conducted a listening tour where we met with groups in our community including HOA groups in Naples. We understand the building height is a concern and appreciate all the feedback we received. In an effort to bring world-class quality care to the heart of Naples we have revised our proposal to the city.
Below you can read the details of our new proposal to the city. The revised height is almost the same height as our current Baker hospital downtown. Our primary goal with this project is to replace our current Telford building with the new Heart, Stroke, and Vascular building. The new building will attach to our current hospital so that our CVICU can be in close proximity and provide new technology and efficiencies for our physicians. The planned new building will provide lifesaving services to our community.
Revised Plans to City:
- We have condensed the requested hospital zone to only encompass the main NCH square block campus. NCH property north of 4th Street and east of 8th Street will no longer be part of the new proposed zoning district. Please see the maps above.
- NCH Healthcare System is only requesting the ability to construct a building to replace the current three story Telford Building with a building that is five stories.
- NCH Healthcare System is prepared to put in writing there will only be one replacement building in the hospital zone.
- The new replacement building will be the same height as the current Baker Hospital Building.
- The total height of the new replacement building will be 75 feet. This replicates the structural height of existing NCH buildings including structural roof and roof top mechanicals. The total height with the mechanicals on top would be 83 feet.
Have a question about the proposed NHI building? Submit it here.
Submit Your Question
Volume and Access
Heart disease was the leading cause of death in America in 2021 according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC).
There were nearly 1,500 cardiac-related deaths in Collier County in 2020 (*last reported data by the DOH).
Until recently, around 30% of patients needing advanced cardiovascular services in Southwest Florida were traveling out of the region. NCH is transforming into an Advanced Community Healthcare System™. As a part of this transformation, the Rooney Heart Institute is developing a premier cardiovascular center of excellence, providing unparalleled clinical care in Southwest Florida. As one of America’s 100 best hospitals for cardiac care, this commitment has situated NCH to be at the forefront of patient care.

Having a Heart Attack?
In the last 24 months, NCH has become a top-performing hospital for the treatment of heart attack and stroke.
Door to balloon time is a time measurement from patient arrival to the emergency department (door) and ends when a catheter crosses the artery in the cardiac cath lab (balloon).


TAVR
A procedure that replaces a diseased aortic valve through a small catheter, avoiding the need for open heart surgery.
More than 90% of patients undergoing TAVR are able to be discharged within 24 hours. NCH utilizes the contemporary practice of minimalist approach to TAVR, using conscious sedation to assure patients an expedited recovery.




experienced team of cardiologists
We have an experienced team of world-renowned physicians who have trained and practiced at the top institutions in the country.

Practiced at leading institutions such as:











Read Letters of Support
My husband had two heart attacks and three stents over the last decade. It was such an enormousrelief living just 12 minutes from one of the premier cardiac care centers in the Boston area, a Harvardteaching facility, where he received excellent care, recuperated in a spacious private room, and made full recoveries.
I was thrilled to hear about the plans at NCH to build a new cardiac, vascular and stroke institute lessthan 10 minutes from our new residence here in Naples, where we now spend the majority of the year.
Over the past three years, the advice I receive from too many Naples residents has been: “if you needmedical care, go back to Boston,” or “Go to the Cleveland Clinic.” I think it is time to change this perception. We need this high-caliber heart facility which will help in the recruitment of top physicians to Naples to work in this center. We are not talking about building a shopping center or a parking garage or a condo complex or a golf course. We are talking about something that can help save lives here in Naples. I fully support their efforts which can be a benefit to us all!
As our population increases, so does the number ofpeople in need of the lifesaving cardiac services thatNCH offers. Having the new facility downtown makessense – given nearly 70 percent of the patients we seein the Downtown Baker Hospital for cardiac ailmentslive within ten miles. Those miles matter when youare trying to save a life.
It is exciting for me as a cardiologist to be a part ofan organization that encourages my colleagues andme to learn more each day and enhance our expertiseby utilizing the latest techniques and advanced technologyin caring for our patients. In turn, this emphasison enhancement, promotes our ability to attractmore renowned cardiologists to our area and furtherelevates our Heart Team approach with the ongoingexchange of ideas and expansion of lifesaving procedures.Ultimately, this optimizes the quality of carewe can deliver and results in better outcomes for ourpatients.
Join me and my other physician colleagues in supportingthe expansion of these critical services for ourcommunity. While I hope that many of you readingthis will never need these services, isn’t it nice toknow they are here – right in our own neighborhood –just in case you do?
I was so impressed with the care and professionalismNCH exhibited, I decided to dedicate what serviceI might to enhance the hospital in the minds of neighborsand friends. I am happy to have convincedfriends to have procedures done here in Naples ratherthan traveling North to receive care. They have all hadsuccessful experiences.
I am very excited to see our community hospitalgrow and become a major destination for cardiac proceduresas well as several other medical treatmentsfor our long, happy, healthy lives.
Even before the first brick is to be laid, the new Institutewill already have a distinguished and storiedacumen behind it. NCH has been recognized byHealthgrades as a top 100 hospital in the nation forcardiac excellence for seven years in a row. Additionally,the Society for Thoracic Surgeons also recognizedthe NCH Heart Institute with its highest three-starrating for CABG procedures.
As one of many physicians working at NCH, I valuethe trust our patients put in us to treat them, the trustyou have in us to cure your illness, and the trust youhave in us to enhance your quality of life. I ask for thatsame trust again when I say that this new facility andits expanded capabilities will be a game-changer forthe residents of our community who may experiencea stroke or cardiac issue. As doctors, we value our patients,and we value your support in helping us tobring the latest cardiac, vascular, and stroke treatmentoptions to our community to help us all livelonger, happier, healthier lives.
We expect and deserve the best available healthcareservices; this facility will deliver just that.The proposed location is ideal for the vast majorityof the population in need of stroke and cardiac care,as they live nearby.
On the advice of city leaders, this project will fallinto a requested special hospital district, similar tothose in municipalities around the state.The proposed building, which will replace the currentTelford Building, will be consistent in height withexisting hospital towers -- and NCH has agreed that itwill be the only replacement building within the district.
The proposed cardiac and stroke care facility indisputablywill save the lives of many of our friends andneighbors -- and this is far more important than anyobjection from those who resist change. I support ourcommunity’s hospital in planning for the futurehealth care needs of our city.
When we heard the announcement that NCH was planning to expand medical services geared towards those who have cardiac and stroke related maladies, we were happy to hear the news!
We are sure that all among us are unanimously in favor of accessible quality health care despite the inconvenience of the construction period, but we must all focus on the bigger picture.
If the city approves NCH’s plans, our community will be home to a beautiful new, state-of-the-art cardiology facility that, from our understanding, will be home to all the hospital’s cardiac and stroke services -- a convenience for patients who may utilize those services.
Additionally, the new facility will be led in part by the new president of cardiology that NCH brought on with experience in creating such a renowned center of excellence. This also should give us comfort that these plans are well thought out by people who know how to execute them.
This new facility is a needed expansion that will draw talented physicians as well, which will provide for the continued good health of our community’s residents.
We see no detriment from the city allowing NCH to move forward on this project. The enhanced services that will be housed under one roof in this new facility can only serve to make our community better.
The Philanthropy Committee is a standing committee of the NCH Board of Trustees, and as a member of the committee, our duty is to help oversee the development program. In a nutshell, we help get resources where the demand is the greatest to provide for the future medical needs of those we serve.
Our current need is in supporting enhanced cardiac and stroke care for our families, our friends, our neighbors. This effort is being led by NCH with the noble mission that what they are able to build tomorrow will benefit all residents of Collier County well into the future by helping them to live longer, happier, healthier lives.
Minutes matter in a cardiac or stroke event, and with almost 70 percent of our population who require cardiac and stroke treatment living closest to the Baker Hospital, it just makes sense that the new building be located there.
In surveys NCH has conducted, they have heard from our community that we all want quality medical care and more specifically, quality stroke and cardiac care. By supporting the new building that NCH wants to add to the campus of the Baker Hospital downtown, it will help us all move one step closer in achieving that goal.
If you would like continued access to quality care close to home, please support our local health care system in expanding and enhancing the services they are able to offer our community.
It is my belief that the NCH petition for a special hospital district that will allow for the construction of a comprehensive cardiac care institute is well warranted.
This is an essential area of health care, one in which minutes can be critical to recovery, or even survival.
Having the full resources of a state-of-the -art heart center in a centralized location closest to the residents most likely to use it makes great sense.
And, because the project consists of a single building in the footprint of an existing structure, its impact on the surrounding neighborhood will be minimal.
I applaud NCH for planning ahead for our community, and for taking the necessary steps to protect the health and well-being of our residents. I urge CityCouncil to view this petition favorably.
Naples Community Hospital (NCH) is proposing an expansion to create a world-class cardiac and stroke hospital. It’s difficult to imagine anyone opposing this from happening. But some folks who live in surrounding homes are more concerned about the height of the new building than our community’s collective health.
To be clear, there is already a five-story building (Baker Hospital) on the campus, immediately adjacent to a three story building that’s coming down. In its place will be a state-of-the-art cardiac center – the same height as the Baker Building!
On March 23 City Council will meet to consider an agenda item to retroactively modify an ordinance which currently permits the new hospital. This effort is a de facto trick to block the hospital expansion. It must be stopped.
In June 2021 council approved an ordinance clarifying height limits for commercial districts, as prescribed in the city’s charter. At that time they decided “zoning districts and any future zoning districts that are exclusively for hospitals or parking garages are not commercial zoning districts.”
Some members of council who oppose the hospital expansion now realize the ordinance they adopted in June 2021 provides the path for the hospital project to proceed. Rather than follow the law they established, a subterfuge is being attempted. By reversing the prior ordinance, they can now say the hospital is included in the definition of a commercial district in our charter, thus blocking the hospital’s project.
This strategy is devious and deplorable, and we’re ashamed to see some members of council attempt it.
We all need to attend the March 23 meeting and urge council to vote it down.
We all need this new hospital!
Want to submit or write a letter of support? Submit it here.
Submit a Letter
FROM THE NEWSROOM
NCH announces plans for heart, stroke and vascular institute. Read More >
Will NCH get to build a heart center? Read More >
The team at NCH Healthcare System spent three months hard at work to revise its STEMI protocols so it can better treat patients. STEMI stands for ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction — a type of serious heart attack. NCH says it can now treat STEMI patients in half the time it took before.
Part 1 of Three-part Series
NAPLES, Fla. — Naples Community Hospital has proposed a new building for cardiac, vascular and stroke patients. It was talked about Tuesday at a public meeting. Read More >
NCH Healthcare System is working with the city of Naples to allow the construction of a six-story heart institute to house NCH cardiac, vascular and stroke services. The proposed center is planned to sit where the Telford Building now stands at NCH’s downtown campus. Read More >
De Tampa a Naples. Ese es el recorrido que emprendió el Dr. Orlando Oruano tras el fallo de su válvula de corazón. Read More >
When it comes to heart attacks, Dr. Velamakanni said the signs can be different in men and women. Read More >
> En Español
Fox 4 talked to the NCH Heart Institute about the four things to know to support women’s heart health. Read More >
Both NCH Baker Hospital and NCH North Naples Hospital have each received an “A” Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade late last year. Read More >
A hospital in Southwest Florida is working to create a center dedicated to fighting cardiovascular disease. Read More >
Ned Johnston from Naples is a painting contractor. In November of 2013, while at work, he said he got unusually heavy heartburn. Read More >
Survivor of “widow-maker” heart attack warns new mothers of their increased risk. Read More >
Heart procedure gets 80-year-old Naples woman back on golf course. A team of doctors at NCH Healthcare System stepped in. Read More >
Inside the NCH Simulation center
Inside the SIM Center
Fox 4 gives you an inside look at NCH Healthcare System‘s Simulation Center. Read More >
SIM Mannequins
High-tech mannequins in its SIM Center to train and educate staff members. Read More >
Mini Pacemaker
NCH testing a cutting-edge miniature pacemaker no bigger than a grain of rice. Read More >

Support the Cause
The proposed facility for heart, vascular, and stroke care runs on philanthropic support.
Fueled by donor support, we look forward to enhancing the delivery of cardiovascular care and helping more people in our community in the year ahead.
To the many donors who supported the NCH Heart Institute, thank you.
Want to get involved?