$20 Million Gift Announced

by the Rooney Foundation in Support of Enhanced Cardiac Care at NCH

Paul Hiltz, President/CEO, FACHE

I am excited to announce a $20 million naming gift from the Rooney Foundation, which is the philanthropic arm of the former U.S. Representative for Florida’s 19th Congressional District.

The NCH Heart Institute will be renamed the “Rooney Heart Institute.” Their transformative gift will benefit cardiac services offered at NCH by supporting the establishment of a new
home for premier cardiovascular and critical care in Southwest Florida. The Rooney Foundation’s generous donation will have a transformative impact on our ability to improve the lives of those living with heart disease in Naples and beyond. We are incredibly grateful for their support of our healthcare system.

Their visionary gift will benefit the comprehensive cardiovascular service line offered at NCH by supporting the establishment of a new home for premier cardiovascular and critical care in Southwest Florida. The Rooney Heart Institute is comprised of a multidisciplinary team of experts dedicated to improving the lives of those living with heart disease and ensuring the highest standards of care.

Francis and Kathleen Rooney made this generous investment in our community because of their personal experiences at NCH and desire to have a greater impact on others.

Cardiovascular services at NCH have advanced rapidly in recent months under the direction of Dr. Robert J. Cubeddu, the Brynne and Bob Coletti Endowed Chair and the President of the newly named Rooney Heart Institute at NCH. Dr Cubeddu, joined the organization after his tenure as Chairman of Cardiology at the Cleveland Clinic Florida in 2021.

One area that will see significant impact from this gift is the cardiovascular research program. Now with over two dozen active clinical research trials, the Rooney Heart Institute will expand its existing research footprint to include major studies aimed at understanding the underlying causes of heart disease, its prevention, and the impact of novel
cardiovascular therapies.

Another important area of focus for the Rooney Heart Institute is the education and training of cardiac healthcare professionals at NCH, through the expansion of its cardiology fellowship and the establishment of new subspecialty training programs. Coupled with the hands-on training experience provided through the Judith and Marvin Herb Family Simulation Center, the educational experience will enable healthcare professionals to remain up-to date with the latest advancements in heart disease, while retaining and attracting the best and brightest nurses and physicians to our region.

The Rooney Foundation’s generous donation will have a profound impact in our journey to establish one of America’s top heart programs, while also elevating the standards of care across the spectrum of clinical services in our healthcare enterprise. We are honored to have the Rooney family name forever associated with our cardiology department. We are incredibly, incredibly grateful for their visionary support of our community healthcare system.

Francis Rooney served as U.S. Representative for Florida’s 19th congressional district from 2017 to 2021 and U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See from 2005 until 2008. Rooney is the former CEO of Rooney Holdings, a diversified group of companies including Manhattan Construction Company, which was founded in 1896 and is in the fifth generation of Rooney family management.

Rooney has served on numerous public and private boards, including NCH, the Florida Gulf Coast University Foundation, the University of Oklahoma College of International Studies, and
the Young Presidents’ Organization. Kathleen and Francis are also lifetime trustees of the Naples Children and Education Foundation.

For information about the proposed facility for cardiac and stroke care, or to learn more on how you can support the Rooney Heart Institute at NCH, visit https://nchmd.org/critical-care/.