NCH expands cancer care with new specialists, services

Naples Comprehensive Health is expanding its cancer program significantly as part of its long-term strategy to provide more specialized treatment in Southwest Florida and reduce the number of patients who leave the region for care. 

NCH said the expansion is supported by a $60 million philanthropic campaign, approximately half of which has been raised to date. 

NCH President and CEO Paul Hiltz said the expansion of services responds to an unmet regional need, citing an estimate by an independent healthcare consulting firm retained by the system that 35% of cancer patients leave Southwest Florida to receive care. 

Mags Palma, chief administrative operating officer at NCH, said the firm analyzed local market information and publicly available data to estimate the share of cancer patients who leave the region for care. 

A major component is the expansion of breast cancer care, with the planned recruitment of specialized physicians, including a breast medical oncologist and two breast surgeons. 

Other new clinical services will include radiation oncology and enhanced thoracic surgery capabilities for lung and chest-related cancers. 

NCH says the expansion centers on an integrated model that combines cancer prevention, diagnosis, surgery, medical oncology, clinical trials and other treatment services designed to provide patients with comprehensive treatment close to home. 

“That’s why we’re enhancing this integrated program around the needs of each patient, bringing together highly specialized physicians, advanced diagnostic and treatment capabilities, clinical research and the expertise of Northwestern Medicine so more patients can receive sophisticated, coordinated cancer care here in Southwest Florida,” Hiltz said. 

In the last two years, NCH has made other strides in its cancer care program, announcing a collaboration with Northwestern Medicine in October 2024 and opening the NCH Gynecologic Oncology practice in North Naples in October 2025. 

The NCH cancer program is led by medical director Dr. Javier Muñoz, who joined the healthcare system Sept. 1 and says the expansion builds on the system’s multidisciplinary approach to care. 

Muñoz, a practicing medical oncologist, came to NCH from Mayo Clinic in Phoenix, where he served as director of the lymphoma program and held senior leadership roles in clinical trials and cellular therapy. 

“Cancer care is most effective when specialists work together from the beginning,” Muñoz said in a statement. “Our goal is to remove the gaps that patients too often experience between an abnormal screening result, a definitive diagnosis and the start of treatment.” 

He said the interaction between pulmonary medicine, thoracic surgery, oncology, radiation oncology and research will help clinicians reach decisions efficiently and design care around the biology of each patient’s cancer. 

Expansion crosses NCH campuses 

In terms of physical locations, Palma said the cancer program is expanding at both NCH campuses: within the existing oncology unit at NCH Baker Hospital and the neighboring Lutgert East and West buildings downtown and at NCH North Hospital on Immokalee Road. 

Palma said breast surgical oncology services will be based at NCH North Hospital, while the outpatient breast program will be housed with NCH Gynecologic Oncology on Vanderbilt Beach Road. 

As for timing, Palma said NCH expects to begin introducing additional services in early 2027. 

“Radiation oncology is currently expected to begin treating patients in spring 2027,” she said. “We also anticipate adding subspecialty services, including gastrointestinal and thoracic cancer care, over the next six to nine months.” 

Asked about a name for the expanding program, Palma said the system has not yet decided on an official name but is leaning toward NCH Cancer Institute. 

“However, NCH is seeking philanthropic support to help expand these services and bring them to life for our community,” she said. “Naming opportunities will be available to recognize the generosity of donors who help make this vision possible.”