NCH Cancer Initiative with Northwestern Medicine

Paul Hiltz, President/CEO, FACHE

I am excited to announce a strategic collaboration between Naples Comprehensive Health (NCH) and Northwestern Medicine with a focus on enhancing and expanding cancer care services. Leveraging the expertise of Northwestern Medicine, we will establish a comprehensive cancer program to support the growing clinical needs to treat and care for cancer patients in Southwest Florida.

As part of this collaboration, NCH will have access to a variety of clinical resources offered by Northwestern Medicine including the ability to consult with oncology experts, refer patients for second opinions and the opportunity to leverage the latest in clinical trial offerings. Northwestern Medicine is also home to the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University. Designated by the National Cancer Institute (NCI), Lurie Cancer Center is one of only 57 Comprehensive Cancer Centers in the nation and one of the first centers to receive a Merit Extension Award from NCI.

NCH has worked diligently to transform into an Advanced Community Healthcare SystemTM committed to bringing more comprehensive and acute care to Southwest Florida, so residents won’t have to travel far to get it. To that end, this collaboration will advance cancer screening programs aimed at ensuring early detection and introduce patient navigation programs to support cancer patients through their journey.

Magali Palma, NCH Chief Assistant Operations Officer; Edward Grendys, MD, NCH Medical Director – Women’s Cancer Program; Timothy Sullivan, Northwestern Medicine Board Chair; Howard Chrisman, MD, Northwestern Medicine President & CEO; Paul Hiltz, NCH President & CEO; Leonidas Platanias, MD, PhD, Director of Robert H Lurie Comprehensive Care Center of Northwestern Medicine; Scott Lutgert, NCH Board Chair

Additionally, I am excited to announce that Dr. Ed Grendys, a gynecologic oncologist, has been named Medical Director to lead the advancement of the NCH Women’s Cancer Program. This effort will include the opening of a women’s cancer center on the NCH North Naples campus, offering comprehensive gynecologic oncology surgery and treatment.

We are proud to collaborate with Northwestern Medicine – one of the premier healthcare organizations in oncology. Through this partnership, our patients will gain access to leading-edge clinical trials, cancer specialists and experts who define the national treatment guidelines for cancer. We will continue to recruit new physicians and nurses to Southwest Florida to support our growing oncology program.

These expanding services allow cancer patients the opportunity to receive the best possible care right here in Southwest Florida with the world’s best cancer specialists.

This collaboration represents an exciting step forward in our mission to bring world-class healthcare to Southwest Florida. Together, we are building a future where patients will have access to the highest level of care and innovation closer to home. We are proud to lead this important initiative and remain committed to supporting our patients every step of the way.

For more information on how you can support HSS at NCH and be part of this historic partnership, please contact the NCH Center for Philanthropy at 239-624-2000.