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$20 Million Gift Announced
by the Rooney Foundation in

Support of Enhanced Cardiac Care at NCH
by Paul Hiltz, FACHE
am excited to announce a $20 million causes of heart disease, its prevention, and the impact of novel
I cardiovascular therapies.
naming gift from the Rooney Foundation,
which is the philanthropic arm of the
Another important area of focus for the Rooney Heart Institute
th
former U.S. Representative for Florida's 19 is the education and training of cardiac healthcare professionals
Congressional District. at NCH, through the expansion of its cardiology fellowship and
The NCH Heart Institute will be the establishment of new subspecialty training programs. Coupled
renamed the “Rooney Heart Institute.” with the hands-on training experience provided through the Judith
Their transformative gift will benefit cardiac and Marvin Herb Family Simulation Center, the educational
services offered at NCH by supporting the establishment of a new experience will enable healthcare professionals to remain up-to-
home for premier cardiovascular and critical care in Southwest date with the latest advancements in heart disease, while retaining
Florida. The Rooney Foundation's generous donation will have a and attracting the best and brightest nurses and physicians to our
transformative impact on our ability to improve the lives of those region.
living with heart disease in Naples and beyond. We are incredibly The Rooney Foundation's generous donation will have a
grateful for their support of our healthcare system. profound impact in our journey to establish one of America’s top
Their visionary gift will benefit the comprehensive heart programs, while also elevating the standards of care across
cardiovascular service line offered at NCH by supporting the the spectrum of clinical services in our healthcare enterprise. We
establishment of a new home for premier cardiovascular and are honored to have the Rooney family name forever associated
critical care in Southwest Florida. The Rooney Heart Institute with our cardiology department. We are incredibly, incredibly
is comprised of a multidisciplinary team of experts dedicated to grateful for their visionary support of our community healthcare
improving the lives of those living with heart disease and ensuring system.
the highest standards of care. Francis Rooney served as U.S. Representative for Florida's 19 th
Francis and Kathleen Rooney made this generous investment in congressional district from 2017 to 2021 and U.S. Ambassador to
our community because of their personal experiences at NCH and the Holy See from 2005 until 2008. Rooney is the former CEO
desire to have a greater impact on others. of Rooney Holdings, a diversified group of companies including
Cardiovascular services at NCH have advanced rapidly in Manhattan Construction Company, which was founded in 1896
recent months under the direction of Dr. Robert J. Cubeddu, the and is in the fifth generation of Rooney family management.
Brynne and Bob Coletti Endowed Chair and the President of Rooney has served on numerous public and private boards,
the newly named Rooney Heart Institute at NCH. Dr Cubeddu, including NCH, the Florida Gulf Coast University Foundation,
joined the organization after his tenure as Chairman of Cardiology the University of Oklahoma College of International Studies, and
at the Cleveland Clinic Florida in 2021. the Young Presidents' Organization. Kathleen
One area that will see significant impact from and Francis are also lifetime trustees of the
this gift is the cardiovascular research program. Naples Children and Education Foundation.
Now with over two dozen active clinical research For information about the proposed facility for
trials, the Rooney Heart Institute will expand cardiac and stroke care, or to learn more on how you
its existing research footprint to include major can support the Rooney Heart Institute at NCH,
studies aimed at understanding the underlying visit https://nchmd.org/critical-care/.

74 Life in Naples | April 2023