Integrated program brings together cancer prevention, diagnosis, surgery, medical and cardiac oncology, clinical trials, navigation and additional treatment options for Southwest Florida
Sept. 28, 2026 – Naples Comprehensive Health (NCH) is expanding its cancer program through the recruitment of specialized physicians, the addition of new clinical services and the continued expansion of an integrated model of care designed to provide patients with comprehensive cancer treatment close to home.
Led by Javier Muñoz, MD, Cancer Center Director, the program is bringing together experts across medical, cardiac and surgical oncology, pulmonary medicine, imaging, pathology and supportive care to deliver coordinated, patient-centered cancer care.
“When 35% of cancer patients leave Southwest Florida to receive care, it signals a significant unmet need in our region,” said Paul Hiltz, President and CEO of NCH. “That’s why we’re enhancing this integrated program around the needs of each patient, bringing together highly specialized physicians, advanced diagnostic and treatment capabilities, clinical research and the expertise of Northwestern Medicine so more patients can receive sophisticated, coordinated cancer care here in Southwest Florida.”
As part of its continued growth, NCH will be hiring a breast medical oncologist in January. NCH also plans to recruit two breast surgeons in the coming months, further strengthening its breast cancer program.
Additional growth includes:
- Expanded gastroenterology services focused on gastrointestinal cancers
- Enhanced thoracic surgery capabilities for lung and chest-related cancers
- Expanded cardio-oncology services to prevent, monitor, and manage cardiovascular complications associated with cancer treatment
- Introduction of radiation oncology services
- Expanded infusion and patient navigation services
The expansion builds on NCH’s multidisciplinary approach to cancer care, enabling specialists to collaborate on personalized treatment plans tailored to each patient’s diagnosis and needs.
“Cancer care is most effective when specialists work together from the beginning,” Muñoz said. “Our goal is to remove the gaps that patients too often experience between an abnormal screening result, a definitive diagnosis and the start of treatment. The interaction between pulmonary medicine, thoracic surgery, oncology, radiation oncology and research will help us reach decisions efficiently while tailoring care to the biology of each patient’s cancer.”
The growing program will also provide comprehensive patient navigation and expanded access to clinical research and innovative treatment options. Through its collaboration with Northwestern Medicine, NCH physicians will have access to subspecialty expertise and multidisciplinary reviews for complex cases.
Patients will access these expanded cancer services directly through NCH, where nurse navigators will help coordinate care from diagnosis through treatment and follow-up. When additional subspecialty expertise would benefit a patient, NCH physicians can consult with Northwestern Medicine specialists through the organizations’ collaboration while NCH remains the patient’s point of care here in Southwest Florida.
“This represents an important step in NCH’s long-term commitment to create a truly comprehensive cancer program,” Hiltz said. “We are bringing the people, technology, research and services together to give patients greater access to sophisticated cancer care here in Southwest Florida.”
Additional information regarding physician recruitment, expanded services and the availability of radiation oncology services will be announced as details are finalized.
ABOUT NCH
NCH (Naples Comprehensive Health) is an Advanced Community Healthcare System™ serving Southwest Florida with premier routine, critical, and specialty care. NCH, a locally governed non-profit, is recognized as one of Healthgrades America’s Top 50 Hospitals which puts it in the top 1% in the nation for clinical excellence, in addition to being named a Top 50 Hospital for Surgical Care. The system is more than just two hospitals (referred to as the NCH Baker Hospital and NCH North Hospital) with more than 700 beds – NCH is an alliance of over 750 physicians and medical facilities in dozens of locations throughout Southwest Florida and is the region’s only Joint Commission accredited Comprehensive Stroke Center. NCH cardiac care is ranked top three in the state by Healthgrades. NCH collaborates with the Hospital for Special Surgery for orthopedics, Northwestern Medicine for oncology, Nicklaus Children’s Hospital for pediatrics, and ProScan Imaging for radiology services, ensuring top-tier medical care is available in Southwest Florida. With the largest provider network, urgent/immediate care centers, diagnostic facilities, and two hospitals, NCH is always advancing the quality of care near you. For more information, visit www.NCHmd.org.
