$5 Million Gift Advances Heart Care at NCH’s Rooney Heart Institute

Naples Comprehensive Health (NCH) announced today a $5 million philanthropic gift from Glenn and Kay Hasse to support continued growth and innovation at the NCH Rooney Heart Institute. Glenn, retired founder and former owner of Ryt-way Industries – a food blending, packaging, and distribution company that manufactured dry food products for major food companies, and his wife, Kay, made the transformative gift in support of advanced cardiovascular care in Southwest Florida.

The investment will help expand access to leading-edge technologies, recruit top clinical talent, and enhance patient -centered cardiovascular services at the Rooney Heart Institute, one of the region’s most comprehensive heart programs.

Dr Robert Cubeddu MD

“This extraordinary gift reflects a deep commitment to the health and well-being of our community,” said Robert Cubeddu, MD, Brynne and Bob Coletti Endowed Chair and President of the NCH Rooney Heart Institute. “The Hasse’s generosity will directly support our mission to deliver the highest level of cardiovascular care through innovation, collaboration, and clinical excellence. Their investment allows us to continue advancing lifesaving treatments and improving outcomes for patients and families.”

The Rooney Heart Institute has earned national and regional recognition for its clinical quality, research, and innovation. NCH was recently named among Modern Healthcare’s Top 50 Cardiovascular Hospitals in the nation and has achieved multiple accreditations and performance distinctions for cardiac care, including advanced heart failure, electrophysiology, and interventional cardiology programs.

by Paul Hiltz, NCH President & CEO

“Our heart program is one of the busiest and most advanced in the state of Florida, and gifts like this make that possible,” said Paul Hiltz, President and CEO of NCH. “Glenn and Kay Hasse’s generosity represents an investment in our physicians, our technology, and, most importantly, in the lives of our patients. We are deeply grateful for their belief in our mission and their commitment to strengthening healthcare in our community.”

Founded through significant philanthropic support, the Rooney Heart Institute serves as a regional destination for comprehensive cardiovascular care, offering advanced diagnostics, minimally invasive procedures, robotic-assisted interventions, and personalized treatment plans supported by multidisciplinary teams.

For more information about the NCH Rooney Heart Institute or opportunities to support cardiovascular care, visit 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.