Healthcare

The staggering rate of growth in Southwest Florida has brought along with it equally staggering healthcare demands. But the region's hospitals have kept up, as five major healthcare systems now call Southwest Florida home. Many regularly earn top rankings in national surveys for their services and facilities.

Thanks to the quality of life and quantity of residents, including many older citizens who need an array of services, the region has attracted some of the best physicians and medical experts in the country. The rising level of affluence has also created a demand for elective procedures, including cosmetic surgery and dentistry; it's not uncommon for people to fly in for a procedure and enjoy a vacation while they recover.

The Gulfshore is also known for its active lifestyle, from golf and tennis to boating and beach-walking, so health clubs, fitness centers and experts in physical training, sports medicine and rehabilitation abound.

COLLIER COUNTY

Naples

Cleveland Clinic Florida, 6101 Pine Ridge Road, (239) 348-4000. The only hospital in Naples with all private rooms. Specializes in orthopedic surgery, general surgery, plastic surgery, colorectal, urology, neurology and cardiac care. Doctors and nurses subscribe to the "Healing Hospitality" program, in which a patient's comfort and emotional well-being is an integral part of the healing process. www.clevelandclinicflorida.org.

Naples Community Hospital, 350 Seventh St. N., (239) 436-5000. With more than 500 physicians, NCH has been ranked among the top 5 percent in the nation for cardiac services, heart surgery and cardiac interventions. Other specialties include cancer care, oncology, psychiatry, pediatric and women's services, orthopedics, rehabilitation services, and emergency care. The Naples Campus is part of the NCH Healthcare System, which also includes the North Collier Campus, 11190 HealthPark Blvd., (239) 513-7000, and two freestanding wellness centers. www.nchmd.org.

LEE COUNTY

Cape Coral

Cape Coral Hospital, 636 Del Prado Blvd., (239) 574-2323. Part of Lee Memorial Health System, the largest community-owned healthcare system in the region. Cape Coral Hospital has the area's largest emergency department. Among other services offered are rehabilitation, pediatrics, obstetrics, oncology, general surgery, urology, endocrinology and gastroenterology. www.leememorial.org.

Fort Myers

Children's Hospital of Southwest Florida, 9981 S. HealthPark Drive, (239) 433-7799. The only comprehensive children's hospital in Southwest Florida, and the only perinatal intensive care center in the area. Treats children with a "whole family" approach, involving a child's family through every step of well-being, and also offers child and family support services. Part of Lee Memorial Health System. www.leememorial.org.

Gulf Coast Hospital, 13681 Doctor's Way, (239) 768-5000. Provides comprehensive healthcare, surgical services, family health services, adult and pediatric emergency services and diagnostic radiology on both an inpatient and outpatient basis. Part of the Hospital Corporation of America (HCA), a national healthcare system with four hospitals in Southwest Florida. www.gulfcoasthospital.com.

HealthPark Medical Center, 9981 S. HealthPark Drive, (239) 433-7799. Recently expanded to house 360 beds, the medical center uses advanced technology, especially in children's care and cardiac care. Part of Lee Memorial Health System. www.leememorial.org.

Lee Memorial Hospital, 2776 Cleveland Ave., (239) 332-1111. Holds 367 beds and specializes in orthopedics, neuroscience, trauma, cancer, diabetes, digestive, general surgery, urology and more. Recognized for its healthcare, particularly stroke, orthopedics and Intensive Care Unit. Currently working on a 10-year, $120 million expansion. Part of Lee Memorial Health System. www.leememorial.org.

Southwest Florida Regional Medical Center, 2727 Winkler Ave., (239) 939-1147. Southwest Florida's leader for open-heart surgery, it was the first hospital in the region to give the procedure. The hospital has more than 400 beds and 600 medical personnel. An HCA facility. www.swfrmc.com.

The Rehabilitation Hospital, 2776 Cleveland Ave., (239) 336-6900. A specialized healthcare center that provides rehabilitation services from within Lee Memorial Hospital. Part of Lee Memorial Health System. www.leememorial.com.

Lehigh Acres

Lehigh Regional Medical Center, 1500 Lee Blvd., (239) 369-2101. Specialties include cardiology, gastroenterology, neurology, opthalmology, orthopedic surgery, otolaryngology (ear, nose and throat), pediatrics, and plastic and reconstructive surgery. Part of Health Management Associates (HMA), with hospitals based mostly in rural areas to provide treatment for the medically underserved. www.lehighregional.com.

CHARLOTTE COUNTY

Port Charlotte

Fawcett Memorial Hospital, 21298 Olean Blvd., (941) 629-1181. With its new stroke center being the first in Southwest Florida to reach national accreditation, Fawcett is celebrating 30 years of serving Southwest Florida. Part of the Hospital Corporation of America (HCA), a national healthcare system with four hospitals in Southwest Florida. www.fawcetthospital.com.

Peace River Regional Medical Center, 2500 Harbor Blvd., (239) 766-4122. Formerly Bon Secours-St. Joseph Hospital, Health Management Associates took over the medical center in February 2005 and is in the process of growing and giving the hospital a fresh face. www.peaceriverregional.com.

Englewood

Englewood Community Hospital, 700 Medical Blvd., (941) 475-6571. An accredited chest pain center, Englewood Community Hospital's 125 physicians serve Charlotte and Sarasota counties. An HCA facility. Online at www.englewoodcommhospital.com.

Punta Gorda

Charlotte Regional Medical Center, 809 E. Marion Ave., (941) 639-3131. Nationally recognized for its ground-breaking cardiac and stroke healthcare, Charlotte Regional has been an HMA facility since 1994. www.charlotteregional.com.