Naples, FL – August 18, 2025 – Naples Comprehensive Health (NCH) is transforming the future of cardiac and stroke care with the upcoming R.M. Schulze Family Heart and Stroke Critical Care Center, fueled by a remarkable $10 million gift from Pete and Dawn Irving. Longtime supporters who have made NCH their charity of choice, the Irvings join countless others whose generosity powers groundbreaking innovations in care for our community. This state-of-the-art center will unite advanced technology, expert multidisciplinary teams, and specialized resources under one roof to deliver rapid, lifesaving treatment when every second counts.
“This is philanthropy at its best: community members stepping forward to create something extraordinary for the health of everyone who lives here,” said Scott Lutgert, Chairman of the NCH Board of Trustees. “The Schulze Center accelerates our ability to bring the most advanced heart, vascular and stroke care to Southwest Florida. We are deeply grateful to the Irvings for helping make this vision a reality.”
This gift reflects the power of philanthropy to shape the future of healthcare. The Schulze Center will integrate multiple specialties into a seamless, patient-centered experience, allowing NCH to deliver an advanced, multidisciplinary approach to the diagnosis, treatment, and lifelong management of stroke, cardiovascular and vascular disease.
“This isn’t just about a new facility,” said Robert Cubeddu, MD, President of the NCH Rooney Heart Institute, “It’s about investing in the DNA of an elite cardiovascular program, bringing together interventional cardiology, electrophysiology, cardiac surgery, structural heart programs, advanced cardiac imaging, and heart failure management all in one location. This level of integration ensures patients receive everything they need, from prevention to the most complex intervention, close to home.”
The $295 million Schulze Center is designed to rival leading programs across the country, positioning NCH as a destination for world-class cardiovascular care.
“We have always believed in giving back to the community that has given us so much,” said Pete and Dawn Irving. “Heart disease and stroke touch so many lives, including our own family and friends. We wanted to make a difference that would last for generations, ensuring that the very best care is available right here in Naples.”
The Irvings’ gift will name the Cardiac Imaging Wing on the third floor of the center – a cornerstone of advanced heart care. The new wing will elevate the program to national prominence, enhancing technical expertise and patient access to cutting-edge diagnostic technology.
“Advanced imaging is what makes it possible for us to treat the most complex cases with precision,” said Dee Dee Wang, MD, Section Head of Cardiac Imaging at NCH and world-renowned expert in the field. “This gift allows us to bring state-of-the-art technology and expertise to our patients so they can access the same caliber of care here at home that they would find in the nation’s top heart hospitals.”
Cardiac imaging provides precise, real-time images of heart structure and function, guiding decisions from early diagnosis through surgical planning and long-term management. The Cardiac Imaging Wing will feature expanded services such as 2D and 3D echocardiography, transesophageal (TEE) imaging, stress echocardiography, and specialized 3D TEE for complex conditions such as mitral valve disease and atrial septal defects.
Construction on the Schulze Center began earlier this year and is expected to be complete in Fall 2027. With an estimated project cost of $295 million, this gift brings the community closer to making this bold vision a reality. To date, donors have contributed an extraordinary $200 million toward the facility. NCH is proud to be the charity of choice that’s transforming lives and shaping the future of care in our region.
“This is what happens when generosity meets vision,” said Paul Hiltz, President and CEO of NCH. “Together, we are building a heart, stroke and vascular program that will not only serve Southwest Florida, but will set a new standard for care nationwide.”
This extraordinary gift is a powerful reminder that the future of healthcare is built by the community, for the community. Every contribution makes a difference in creating a world-class destination for heart, vascular and stroke care, right here at home.
To join the Irvings and make your impact, visit NCHmd.org/donate or contact the NCH Center for Philanthropy at 239-624-2000.
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