Pictured above left to right are RMSFF board members William Bradshaw and Joe Williamson, NCH’s CEO Paul Hiltz and Board Chair Scott Lutgert, Dick Schulze, Karon Toni, Dr. Robert Cubeddu, President of NCH Rooney Heart Institute, Dr. Mazen AbuAwad, Director of NCH Wingard Stroke Center, RMSFF board member Debra Schulze and RMSFF President & CEO, Mark Dienhart.
May 25, 2023 – The NCH Healthcare System is thrilled to announce that it has been awarded a generous $20 million grant by the Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation. This significant grant will support the enhancement and development of cutting-edge cardiac and stroke services in Naples, furthering NCH’s commitment to providing exceptional healthcare to our community.
The Schulze Family Foundation has recognized NCH’s dedication to delivering top-quality medical services and this grant not only underscores their belief in NCH’s mission, but also highlights the importance of advancing cardiac, stroke and critical care services for the benefit of all.
With this funding, NCH will be able to invest in state-of-the-art technology, add public and educational space for the community, recruit and retain top medical professionals and expand its facilities to accommodate the growing needs of patients requiring cardiac and stroke care. These advancements will enable NCH to continue providing the exceptional and comprehensive care services that has earned us the distinction of being named among the top 100 hospitals in the nation for two years running. The facility will convert NCH to an all-private-room hospital, which is critical for safety, infection control and optimal patient experience. It will also be a symbol of NCH’s commitment to promote education and serve as a resource for the entire Naples community through its public gathering spaces. The facility will boast a new auditorium and additional space for NCH Graduate Medical Education students and fellows.
“Holding the Schulze family name, this new facility will become known to all in Naples and beyond as the place where compassion, excellence, and community combine,” said Scott Lutgert, Chairman of the Board at NCH. “From public events held in the new auditorium, patients and families taking a stroll through the Garden of Hope & Courage, and the world-class service all of our patients will experience, this new building will be the hallmark of healthcare in Southwest Florida and beyond.”
“We are deeply grateful to the Schulze Family Foundation for this transformative opportunity and the lasting impact it will have on our community’s health,” said Paul Hiltz, President and CEO of NCH. “Not only is their financial support a generous investment in our vision, but the endorsement of Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation for this essential project will reverberate throughout our community. This new era for NCH is thanks, in large part, to Mr. Schulze: he has been a key voice in helping us transform NCH into the premier health system Naples needs.”
In recognition of this transformative gift, the new building which will house cardiac, vascular and stroke services to be constructed on the campus of the NCH Baker Hospital in downtown Naples will be named the R.M. Schulze Family Cardiovascular and Stroke Critical Care Center. By naming the building after the Schulze Family and Foundation, NCH aims to pay tribute to the Schulze’s visionary leadership and dedication to improving the health and wellbeing of the community. It serves as a reminder of the lasting partnership between NCH and the Schulze Family Foundation, as well as the shared commitment to providing exceptional healthcare to residents in Naples.
“We believe in investing in the community where we live, where we play, and where we work,” expressed Dick Schulze, founder and chair of the Schulze Family Foundation. “We are confident that this grant will further enhance their ability to provide cutting-edge cardiac and stroke services, improving the lives of individuals in the Naples community and beyond. We are proud to support their transformative efforts and look forward to witnessing the lasting impact of this collaboration.”
NCH has been diligently working with the City of Naples Design Review Board on this project and hopes to have all approvals in hand for ground breaking to take place at the end of this year.
Learn more about the proposed facility for cardiac, stroke, and critical care services and how you can support NCH.
