Jan 30, 2026

Three voices. One shared vision for women, children, and families.

As Southwest Florida continues to grow, so does the need for care that meets families where they are. The announcement of the Van Domelen Institute and Pavilion for Women & Children marks an important step toward a future where advanced care is planned, integrated, and delivered close to home on NCH’s North Naples campus.

Planned services include advanced maternal-fetal medicine, expanded neonatal and pediatric specialty care, integrated women’s health services, including gynecologic oncology, and family-centered spaces designed to keep care close and connected.

These three mini-features offer a glimpse into what that future will mean, through the voices of physicians and patients who see its impact taking shape.

A NEW CHAPTER FOR WOMEN'S CARE, FROM PREGNANCY THROUGH EVERY CHAPTER OF LIFE



Dr. Betsy Brothers 
Obstetrics & Gynecology


As the Chief Medical Officer of North Naples Hospital and a practicing OB/GYN serving women and families across the community for nearly 25 years, Dr. Betsy Brothers sees how deeply access to care shapes a family’s experience across Collier County.

“This investment means that women and babies who once had to leave Naples for advanced care will now be able to stay here, surrounded by family, supported by their community, and cared for by teams they know and trust.”

She spoke to the importance of proximity during high-risk pregnancies and premature deliveries.

“With the Van Domelen Institute and Pavilion, we will be able to care for extremely premature babies and high-risk pregnancies right here at home rather than sending mothers away for weeks or months at the most vulnerable time of their lives.”

For Dr. Brothers, the Institute represents something broader than maternity alone.

“This is not just about obstetrics or pediatrics. This is about women across their entire lifespan, cancer care, cardiovascular health, menopause, osteoporosis.”

And she emphasized the role philanthropy plays in making that vision possible.

“Without this gift, we simply could not do what we are about to do. This changes what is possible for our patients, for our physicians, and for this community.”

“I knew he would fight for my life” A patient story from gynecologic oncology

Drs. John McBroom & Ed Grendys

Gynecologic Oncology

Advanced gynecologic oncology care is already transforming lives at NCH. The Van Domelen Institute and Pavilion will allow this level of specialized women’s care to be further integrated, expanded, and sustained for the future.

For Tanfen Michell, choosing where to receive care came down to trust.

“I tracked Dr. McBroom down because I wanted him to operate on me, because I knew he would fight for my life.”

Beyond surgical skill, she described how being part of the process shaped her experience.

“He tells you what the issue is. He explains it to you in lay terms, not just in one or two sentences.”

“And then he tells you what the management plan is, what we’re going to do and why we’re going to do it that way.”

She described the relationship as a partnership.

“As a patient, you become part of that team with him, walking with him, and you can voice your questions. And I ask a lot of questions.”

She even asked whether he would continue working with her wherever he practiced.

“I said to him, ‘I don’t care where you are, will you work with me?’ and he said yes.”

“I told him, ‘Even if you’re in Antarctica, I would go to Antarctica.’ He laughed and said I didn’t need to go to Antarctica, just to Naples.”

During her care, she also saw the collaboration between Dr. McBroom and Dr. Edward Grendys.

“They have that very special connection with people, that humanity thing.”

In a public letter, she reflected on what that meant to her.

“That unique fusion of mental strength with medical science elevates your practice to an entirely different dimension, where skill, understanding and humanity work seamlessly together.”

CARING WITHOUT DISTANCE: A VISION FOR THE FUTURE OF PEDIATRIC ACCESS

Dr. Lauren Furman Cline

NCH Hospice and Palliative Medicine Fellow

As NCH looks ahead to the future Pavilion for Women and Children, Dr. Lauren Furman Cline reflected on what expanded pediatric services could offer to families in our region.

“Many kids have had to go elsewhere for specialized care,” she shared. “To be able to stay in Naples and have that care here, that will be amazing.”

For families navigating serious illness or complex diagnoses, proximity to care makes a real difference.

She emphasized how local access supports not just the child, but the whole family.

“Long-distance transportation can be a challenge as it is, and that is just an added burden for families already grappling with serious illness,” Dr. Cline noted. “Being able to receive care here in Naples removes a critical layer of stress.”

She also highlighted the value of continuity.

“That continuity of care means the family isn’t starting from scratch. And it gives them more than just medical stability, it gives them presence.”

NCH Center for Philanthropy is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.

Contributions are tax-deductible as allowed by law.