Liz Freeman | Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News
A team of cardiac specialists at Naples Comprehensive Health are deep in planning and policy reviews for pursuing approvals to perform heart transplants.
Offering services for advanced heart failure patients would improve access and relieve patients and their families of challenging travel to existing transplant centers in Tampa, Miami or elsewhere, hospital officials say.
No timeline has been shared publicly for when NCH hopes to begin heart transplants once the $295 million R.M. Schulze Family Heart and Stroke Critical Care Center is completed in the latter part of 2027.
Construction of the 180,000-square-foot complex is ongoing on the campus of the NCH Baker Hospital, which is transforming the oldest hospital campus in Collier County near downtown Naples.
NCH leaders intend for its current Rooney Heart Institute, which will move into the Schulze complex once completed, to continue building its national reputation for high quality care.
In February NCH ranked among the top 50 cardiovascular hospitals in the U.S. by Modern Healthcare, among other accolades from rating organizations.
“We believe it will be one of the premier heart programs in America,” Paul Hiltz, president and chief executive officer of NCH, told Naples City Council recently in an update on the Schulze complex construction.
Read more on naplesnews.com.
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