R.M. Schulze Family Heart and Stroke Critical Care Center
Our Vision for Impact
Every 33 seconds, one person dies from heart disease. Every 40 seconds, one person experiences a stroke. Elevating heart, vascular, and stroke care at NCH is not just an initiative – it is a commitment to serving our community’s most critical medical needs right here in Naples.
- Provide top-tier cardiovascular and stroke care for patients with increasingly complex conditions.
- Advance treatment through interventions and rehabilitation, opening new targets for clinical care — including access to advanced screening, cutting-edge procedures, and clinical research trials.
- Leverage data analytics to test and refine our protocols, driving innovative care models that meaningfully improve patient outcomes.
- Develop the next generation of cardiologists and extend our impact through robust education initiatives.
OUR NEW HOME
at a glance
- 180,000 sq. ft. of clinical and educational space
- 4 state-of-the art operating rooms and 2 stroke biplane rooms
- 52 fully private inpatient rooms, including 5 suites for comfortable stays
- 4 catheterization labs and 4 electrophysiology labs for innovative interventional care
- A 300-seat auditorium adjacent to a new café open to the community
- 10 education and conference rooms
- Direct access to a brand new, dedicated Neurovascular Intensive Care Unit (16 beds)
- Cost of facility $295M
- Raised $250M
- Remaining $45M
$295M Goal
OUR NEW HOME
at a glance
- 180,000 sq. ft. of clinical and educational space
- 4 state-of-the art operating rooms and 2 stroke biplane rooms
- 52 fully private inpatient rooms, including 5 suites for comfortable stays
- 4 catheterization labs and 4 electrophysiology labs for innovative interventional care
- A 300-seat auditorium adjacent to a new café open to the community
- 10 education and conference rooms
- Direct access to a brand new, dedicated Neurovascular Intensive Care Unit (16 beds)
Cost of facility $295M
- Raised $250M
- Remaining $45M
A New Era of Innovation and Excellence at NCH
Led by Dr. Robert J. Cubeddu, the Brynne and Bob Coletti Endowed Chair for the President of the Rooney Heart Institute and Chief Clinical Innovation Officer, and Dr. Mazen AbuAwad, the John and Susan Morrison Endowed Chair for the Wingard Stroke Institute, the R.M. Schulze Family Heart and Stroke Critical Care Center integrate advanced technologies and operational efficiencies within a 100% private-room environment.
Guided by our core values of clinical excellence, research, education, and innovation, and grounded in our identity as an independent, community-responsive health system, this facility will deliver on three pillars:
- World-Class Team. The facility will bring together a broad range of services to diagnose and treat the full spectrum of cardiac and stroke conditions, uniting compassionate care with clinical research to give patients access to pioneering treatments. A strong, multidisciplinary team will deepen the alliance between employed and independent providers.
- Clinical Research and Education. A robust research and education program will advance innovation and excellence at NCH. Clinical research will ensure our community has access to the latest therapies, while our cardiology fellowship program will cultivate the next generation of physicians committed to serving Naples.
- Integrated Stroke & Vascular Services. Timely diagnosis and management of cardiovascular risk factors are the foremost priority in stroke prevention. A strong, collaborative partnership among interventional neuroradiologists, vascular surgeons, and cardiologists will flourish within this new facility, ensuring comprehensive, coordinated care.
What we need to achieve this vision
We have built a strong foundation, and now it’s time to build the home it deserves.
Achieving the next level of cardiac and stroke care requires strategic investment in our facilities, people, and technology. This dedicated, state-of-the-art facility will bring our world-class teams and services together under one roof, creating a seamless experience for patients and enabling the kind of fully integrated, high-caliber care that defines excellence in modern medicine.
Built by the community, for the community
This facility is made possible by the generosity of our community. Philanthropic support fuels our ability to enhance quality and extend our reach across the community. To every donor who has invested in our vision: thank you. To make your impact, explore ways to give.
Construction progress & timeline information
Updated March 2026
Hospital work to finish TBD QRT 2027 (3rd – 4th QRT) – working with contractor to validate to finalize permitting, construction durations and substantial completion timeline.
- Parking Garage work to start 1st QRT 2026 (1/6/2026)
- Parking Garage work to finish 4th QTR 2026 (12/29/2026)
- Elevator and stair tower construction is nearing completion
- Heart & Stroke Critical Care Center foundations are nearing completion
- Parking garage foundations are nearing completion
- Steel erection to start April 2026
- Precast parking garage erection to start April 2026
- Multiple cranes are currently operating onsite
Traffic/parking routing and limitations in brief
Increased trucking activity will be noticeable for the next several months as excavation haul-out continues and deliveries of structural steel and precast concrete panels begin. Flagmen will be used at construction entrances to help manage traffic flow.
Contractor parking on neighborhood and adjacent streets will not be permitted. Contractors are currently being shuttled by NCH to an offsite parking lot.
NCH will continue to provide shuttle service for NCH employees and valet services for patients and visitors.
Current Construction Schedule Milestones
Heart & Stroke Critical Care Center
- Foundations complete- 2nd quarter 2026
- Steel erection completed – 3rd quarter 2026
- Exterior Enclosed – 4th quarter of 2026
- Install Elevators – 2nd quarter of 2027
- Permanent Power – 2ND quarter of 2027
- Commissioning of MEP systems- 3rd quarter of 2027
- Building complete- 3rd quarter of 2027
Parking Garage
- Foundations complete- 2nd quarter 2026
- Precast structure erected- 3rd quarter 2026
- Building complete- 4th quarter 2026
- Landscaping installation- 4th quarter 2026 (in multiple phases)
Upcoming Neighborhood Meetings
Thursday, April 16th at 4:30pm
Lutgert East building, located at 733 4th Avenue North, 2nd Floor
Questions? We’re Here to Help
For inquiries related to the Schulze Center, please contact us at neighbors@nchmd.org. We monitor this inbox regularly and will respond promptly.
For urgent matters, please contact Matt Holliday at 239-826-7864.