Wilson & Johnson Private Foundation Awards $500,000

Wilson & Johnson Private Foundation Awards $500,000 to Support Expansion
of the Naples Comprehensive Health (NCH) Rooney Heart Institute

The Wilson & Johnson Private Foundation is proud to announce that it has recently awarded a $500,000 gift to further support expansion of the Naples Comprehensive Health (NCH) Rooney Heart Institute, assisting the local, non-profit healthcare organization in its long-term mission of transforming Southwest Florida into a destination for world-class cardiovascular care.

George A. Wilson

Construction is already underway on the new state-of-the-art building, which aims to provide advanced, life-saving heart care locally in the community. The facility will serve as the home of both the existing Rooney Heart Institute and Wingard Stroke Institute when completed in late 2027. In recognition of its substantial gift, a nursing station will be named after the Wilson & Johnson Private Foundation.

The gift further supports Naples Comprehensive Health’s broader $250 million philanthropic initiative to expand and advance the NCH Rooney Heart Institute, a transformational effort focused on expanding access to leading-edge cardiovascular care, recruiting top clinical talent, and investing in advanced technology and facilities. With significant momentum already achieved toward that goal, approximately $50 million remains to be raised to fully fund this campaign, and contributions like this continue to accelerate progress toward completing this landmark investment in heart care for Southwest Florida.

“We are delighted to be a part of this exciting project which will give patients access to advanced, life-saving heart care without having to leave Southwest Florida,” said George A. Wilson, Trustee of the Wilson & Johnson Private Foundation. “This project will have a tremendous impact on our community by promising shorter hospital stays, faster recoveries and improved overall experiences for all patients.”

Earlier this month, Naples Comprehensive Health (NCH) was identified as one of the nation’s 50 Top Cardiovascular Hospitals, according to an independent quality analysis based on a balanced scorecard provided by Premier, Inc. and published by Modern Healthcare. This national recognition places NCH among an elite group of hospitals demonstrating excellence in cardiovascular care, and marks the first time the NCH Rooney Heart Institute has received this prestigious honor.

Paul Hiltz, President/CEO, FACHE

“The Wilson family’s gift to the NCH Rooney Heart Institute will help us advance cardiovascular care through clinical excellence, innovation and a commitment to delivering high-quality outcomes for patients with heart and vascular conditions,” said Paul Hiltz, President and CEO of NCH. “Their generosity will ensure that we continue to meet our growing community’s needs with excellence and empathy.”

About the Wilson & Johnson Private Foundation: Founded in 2023, the Wilson & Johnson Private Foundation is a private family foundation that primarily funds charitable activities through grants. Over the years, it has supported local nonprofits benefitting children, the environment, cancer research and women’s initiatives. It also is involved in the community through support of local events and initiatives.

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.