Wilson &Johnson Private Foundation awards $500,000 to support expansion of NCH Rooney Heart Institute

The Wilson & Johnson Private Foundation announced 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.

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.

“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.”