NCH and Nicklaus Children’s Announce $350M Van Domelen Pavilion for Women and Children’s Care in Naples
Originally published on February 4, 2026
Naples Comprehensive Health (NCH) and Nicklaus Children’s Hospital announced a major $350 million expansion of care for women and children in Southwest Florida on January 20, 2026, made possible by a visionary gift from the Bill and Julia Van Domelen Foundation. The investment will establish the Van Domelen Institute for Women and Children and support construction of the Van Domelen Pavilion for Women and Children on NCH’s North Hospital campus.
Four-Story, 156,000 Square Foot Medical Center Takes Shape
The Van Domelen Pavilion for Women and Children will be a four-story, 156,000-square-foot center of clinical excellence built above the existing emergency departments at NCH North Hospital. The facility will feature modern labor and delivery suites, advanced operating rooms, enhanced maternal-fetal medicine, advanced women’s health services, and a Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit to keep high-risk pregnancies and critically ill newborns close to home. A rooftop helipad will support rapid transport and timely access to lifesaving care.
Addressing Critical Healthcare Gaps in Southwest Florida
Collier County is home to more than 65,000 children, with the pediatric population projected to grow another four percent in five years. Currently, families are often sent outside of Collier County for specialized care, sometimes beyond Fort Myers, Tampa or even as far as Gainesville, simply because there are not enough beds or specialists available locally.
The OB/GYN chief medical officer says they could use up to 40 NICU beds—four times what they currently have at the NCH Birthplace. Matthew Love, president and CEO of Nicklaus Children’s Hospital, emphasized the goal of recruiting pediatric specialists in urology, endocrinology, and cardiology to keep care local.
Philanthropic Funding Model Powers Project Forward
The Pavilion represents an over $350 million investment in the community, with NCH and Nicklaus Children’s partnering to raise 80 percent through philanthropy before breaking ground. The lead gift for the institute and pavilion came from the Bill and Julia Van Domelen Foundation, a longtime philanthropic supporter of NCH and other Southwest Florida healthcare organizations.
As a nonprofit health system, NCH relies on the generosity and philanthropic support of local residents to expand facilities, implement advanced technologies, and deliver the highest level of care. Construction is expected to begin once 80% of the funding is raised through philanthropy.
Financial and Operational Implications for Healthcare Organizations
This major capital investment represents a significant shift in the competitive healthcare landscape of Southwest Florida. The project demonstrates how strategic partnerships between established health systems can leverage philanthropic funding to address market gaps while managing financial risk through careful fundraising milestones.
The Van Domelen Institute for Women and Children launches immediately and serves as a new care model designed to coordinate women’s and children’s services across the community, both inside and outside the hospital. The initiative will strengthen relationships with organizations such as Healthcare Network, David Lawrence Centers, Neighborhood Health Clinic, and Baker Senior Center, creating a collaborative, sustainable model powered by philanthropy.
For healthcare organizations considering similar expansions, this project illustrates the importance of community partnerships, strategic philanthropy, and phased construction approaches to manage capital expenditures effectively. The emphasis on raising funds before construction begins reflects prudent financial planning in an era of healthcare cost pressures.
Healthcare organizations navigating major capital expansions and partnership structures can benefit from specialized guidance. Contact James Moore’s healthcare practice team to discuss how these developments may impact your organization.
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