Naples Comprehensive Health Celebrates 70 Years in Southwest Florida

The healthcare system has grown from a single hospital to a multi-facility network serving the region.

Mar. 22, 2026 at 1:06pm

Naples Comprehensive Health, formerly known as NCH, is celebrating its 70th anniversary in 2023. The healthcare system has grown from a single hospital founded in 1953 to a multi-facility network serving Southwest Florida, including the opening of a new women's and children's center, emergency room expansion, and administrative campus.

Why it matters

As one of the longest-running healthcare providers in the region, Naples Comprehensive Health's growth and evolution mirrors the development of Southwest Florida over the past seven decades. The system's expansion reflects the area's population boom and increasing demand for advanced medical services.

The details

Naples Comprehensive Health traces its roots to the Naples Community Hospital, which first opened its doors in 1956. Over the decades, the system has expanded with additional campuses, specialized centers, and administrative facilities to meet the region's growing healthcare needs. Key milestones include the opening of the North Collier Health Center in 1984, the Marco Island facility in 1985, and the North Naples hospital in 1990. More recently, the system has invested in a new women's and children's center, emergency room expansion, and administrative campus relocation.

  • The first modern medical facility opened in March 1956.
  • In 1966, the hospital added 50 more beds, an emergency department and several specialized departments.
  • In 1970, the hospital expanded the original building to six stories and began construction on a new, two-story building.
  • In 1984, The North Collier Health Center opened as a satellite facility of the main hospital.
  • In 2023, the system rebranded to become Naples Comprehensive Health.

The players

Naples Comprehensive Health

A healthcare system serving Southwest Florida, formerly known as NCH, that has grown from a single hospital founded in 1953 to a multi-facility network.

Naples Community Hospital

The original hospital that opened in 1956 and served as the foundation for the Naples Comprehensive Health system.

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What’s next

Naples Comprehensive Health plans to continue expanding its services and facilities to meet the growing healthcare needs of Southwest Florida.

The takeaway

Naples Comprehensive Health's 70-year history in Southwest Florida demonstrates the healthcare system's commitment to the region and its ability to evolve and grow alongside the community it serves.