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A New Era of Care at

the NCH Rooney Heart Institute

by Dr. Robert Cubeddu
President, NCH Rooney Heart Institute
Brynne and Bob Coletti Endowed Chair
outhwest Florida is rapidly becoming But the arrival of Dr. Lamelas is just the latest example of
a destination for world-class heart how we’ve continued to advance our care and improve patient
Scare, and the Naples Comprehensive outcomes. At the NCH Rooney Heart Institute, we’ve expanded
Health (NCH) Rooney Heart Institute is our subspecialty services, implemented cutting-edge diagnostic
proud to be leading that transformation. and imaging capabilities, and developed a fully integrated model
Over the past several years, we have made of care that places the patient at the center of every decision. From
meaningful investments in our facilities, prevention and early detection to intervention and rehabilitation,
technology, and our team. Our goal has we provide a seamless continuum of cardiovascular care under one
never wavered: to build one of the most advanced cardiovascular roof. Together, this team brings unmatched clinical expertise and a
programs in the country, in Naples, FL. shared commitment to innovation.
A few months ago, we celebrated the onboarding of our For patients, this means something profoundly important:
esteemed and renowned Chief of Cardiothoracic Surgery, access to advanced, life-saving heart care without having to
Dr. Thomas Caranasos. Today, our vision takes a major leap leave Southwest Florida. It means shorter hospital stays, faster
forward with the announcement and addition of one of the recoveries, and better outcomes. It means knowing that the same
top global leaders in cardiac surgery and pioneer in minimally caliber of care found at top-tier academic medical centers is now
invasive cardiac surgery, Dr. Joseph Lamelas. available closer to home.
As we look ahead, we remain focused on pushing the
Dr. Lamelas is a name known throughout the world of
boundaries of what’s possible. We will continue investing in
cardiac surgery, education and innovation. He has performed
more than 18,000 procedures and mentored over 1,000 research, technology, and physician training to ensure we remain
at the leading edge. And under Dr. Lamelas directorship, we are
surgeons globally. He is perhaps best known for developing and
confident that NCH will become a national leader in minimally
perfecting a technique often referred to as the “Miami Method,”
invasive cardiac surgery.
a minimally invasive approach to repair heart valves and other
This is more than growth, it’s transformation. And it’s being
cardiac conditions, avoiding the need of a traditional open-heart
incision. This innovation results in dramatically faster recovery driven by a shared belief that patients deserve the best care, the
least invasive treatments, and the fastest path to helping everyone
times, less pain, reduced risk of infection, and better overall
live a longer, happier, and healthier life.
outcomes for patients.
We are honored to welcome Dr. Lamelas to the NCH Rooney
His arrival is not just a recruitment success; it is a defining
Heart Institute. His expertise, vision, and innovation will help
moment in our evolution as a Center of Excellence in Minimally
Invasive Heart Surgery. With Dr. Lamelas onboarding, we now shape the next chapter of heart care in our region.
have one of the world’s foremost experts in this field helping us
lead that charge.
For more information about this treatment, visit NCHmd.org
At NCH, we are shaping the future of healthcare—one breakthrough at a time.

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