March 30, 2026 – Naples Comprehensive Health (NCH) has been awarded full accreditation by the Association for the Accreditation of Human Research Protection Programs (AAHRPP), a distinction that recognizes the highest standards in protecting the rights, safety and well-being of individuals participating in research.
The accreditation, granted for a three-year period following review by AAHRPP’s Council on Accreditation at its March 2026 meeting, affirms NCH’s commitment to ethical research practices and a robust infrastructure supporting clinical research across the organization.
AAHRPP accreditation is considered the gold standard for human research protection programs and reflects rigorous evaluation of an organization’s policies, procedures and safeguards designed to ensure participant safety, regulatory compliance and continuous quality improvement.
“At NCH, our focus is not only on delivering exceptional care today, but on advancing the future of medicine in a way that is safe, ethical and patient-centered,” said Paul Hiltz, President and Chief Executive Officer of NCH. “This accreditation reinforces our commitment to conducting research with integrity while protecting those who place their trust in us.”
To achieve accreditation, NCH demonstrated comprehensive protections for research participants, including institutional oversight, informed consent processes, independent review through an Institutional Review Board (IRB), and ongoing monitoring to ensure compliance with federal regulations and ethical standards. The process also evaluates organizational culture, requiring a demonstrated commitment to continuous improvement and accountability across all levels of the institution.
The recognition positions NCH among a select group of healthcare organizations globally that have met AAHRPP’s rigorous standards, further strengthening its ability to attract high-quality research partnerships, expand clinical trial opportunities and deliver innovative care to the region.
As NCH continues to grow its research program, the accreditation serves as a foundation for advancing new discoveries while ensuring that patient safety and trust remain at the center of every effort.
For more information about Naples Comprehensive Health, visit www.NCHmd.org.
About NCH
Naples Comprehensive Health (NCH) is an advanced community healthcare system serving Southwest Florida with premier routine, critical, and specialty care. A locally governed nonprofit, NCH has been recognized among America’s Top 50 hospitals which puts it in the top 1% in the nation for clinical excellence. It was also named a Top 50 Cardiovascular Hospital by Modern Healthcare. The system includes NCH Baker Hospital and NCH North Hospital, with more than 700 beds and more than 750 physicians, along with medical facilities in dozens of locations throughout Southwest Florida. NCH is the region’s only Joint Commission-accredited Comprehensive Stroke Center, and its cardiac care program ranks among the top three in the state. NCH collaborates with the Hospital for Special Surgery for orthopedics, Nicklaus Children’s Hospital for pediatrics, and ProScan Imaging for radiology services, ensuring top-tier medical care is available locally. With the largest provider network, urgent and immediate care centers, diagnostic facilities, and two hospitals, NCH continues to advance the quality of care close to home. For more information, visit nchmd.org.
