Discover Southwest Florida

Sundial Beach and Golf Resort, 1451 Middle Gulf Drive, 888-295-4561. One- and two-bedroom suites with kitchens, living areas and large bedrooms. Five swimming pools and whirlpool spa, complimentary fitness room, access to the Dunes Championship Golf Course, tennis courts and three restaurants. On-site rentals of bicycles, catamarans, kayaks and more. Environmental coastal observatory center and kids’ programs. www.luxuryresorts.com.

HEALTHCARE

This is the era of the elective surgery vacation, and considering the Who’s Who of board-certified plastic surgeons and top echelon medical specialists who practice here, it’s no wonder Naples, Fort Myers, Bonita Springs and the islands are the destinations of choice for an increasing number of travelers. In addition to the sterling credentials of the surgeons, support professionals and physical therapists, their state-of-the-art facilities have attracted surgery-vacationers from all over North America and Europe. Whether the objective is facial or body rejuvenation, vision or dental correction, hip replacement or other elective repair, many believe that the beauty and ambiance of our Gulfshore enhances and speeds the recovery process.
The Gulfshore also boasts a gleaming new full service children’s hospital, five top-ranked hospitals with state-of-the-art emergency centers, and scores of walk-in clinics as well as dedicated centers for heart, vision, vascular, oncology, sports medicine and other specialized care.
When that unexpected emergency does arise, it’s reassuring to know that there’s no paradise on earth more equipped to handle it so quickly and effectively.

NAPLES

Collier Regional Medical Center, 7007 Lely Cultural Parkway, (239) 354-6000.This 100-bed acute-care hospital will have emergency services, outpatient services and obstetrical services. It is scheduled to open in early 2007 and will include a separate women’s center and a medical office building. www.collierregional.net.

NCH Naples 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. The 390-bed facility is part of NCH Healthcare System, which also includes NCH Regional Cancer Institute and other specialized treatment and acute-care centers as well as two freestanding wellness centers. www.nchmd.org.

NCH North Collier Hospital, 11190 HealthPark Blvd., (239) 513-7000. This 88-bed facility provides general medical and surgical care, including pediatric care, diagnostics and emergency care. Obstetric and neonatal care are available at the Birth Place at North Collier. Part of NCH Healthcare System. www.nchmd.org.

Physicians Regional Medical Center, 6101 Pine Ridge Road, (239) 348-4000. Provides general medical and surgical care for inpatient, outpatient and emergency room patients. Emphasis in orthopedic surgery, general and minimally invasive surgery, plastic surgery, colorectal, urology, neurology and cardiac care, as well as recently expanded stroke treatment capabilities. Physicians Regional Medical Center was purchased in 2006 by Naples-based Health Management Associates. www.physiciansregional.com.

BONITA SPRINGS

Bonita Community Health Center, 3501 Health Center Blvd., (239) 949-1050. A comprehensive diagnostic, treatment, rehabilitation and surgery center partnered with Lee Memorial Health System and NCH Healthcare System. www.bonitahealthcenter.com.

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 hosts 281 private beds, has the area’s largest emergency department and was named one of the 100 top hospitals for orthopedics. Services include 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, including comprehensive outpatient services 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 Lee Memorial Health System. 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. Provides 24-hour emergency care, in addition to cardiac, obstetrics, pediatrics, rehabilitation and surgical, and inpatient and outpatient hospital services. 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. Provides 24-hour emergency and trauma care. Currently working on a 10-year, $120 million expansion. Part of Lee Memorial Health System. The adjoining Medical Office Center houses physicians’ offices and other medical and support services. 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 administer the procedure. The hospital has more than 400 beds and 600 medical personnel. Part of Lee Memorial Health System. www.swfrmc.com.

The Rehabilitation Hospital, 2776 Cleveland Ave., (239) 336-6900. A specialized healthcare center that provides comprehensive, cost-effective, outcome-oriented medical rehabilitation services to enable patients to live at their highest level of physical, social and cognitive independence. Located within Lee Memorial Hospital and part of Lee Memorial Health System. www.leememorial.com.

LEHIGH ACRES

Lehigh Regional Medical Center, 1500 Lee Blvd., (239) 369-2101. 88-bed facility. Specialties include cardiology, gastroenterology, neurology, ophthalmology, 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.

PORT CHARLOTTE

Fawcett Memorial Hospital, 21298 Olean Blvd., (941) 629-1181. Its new stroke center was the first in Southwest Florida to reach national accreditation. Part of the Hospital Corporation of America (HCA), a national healthcare system with four hospitals in Southwest Florida. Specialties include cancer care services, cardiac services, community education and a Diagnostic Imaging Department. www.fawcetthospital.com.

Peace River Regional Medical Center, 2500 Harbor Blvd., (239) 766-4122. Health Management Associates took over the medical center in February 2005. 275 physicians now represent 50 specialties. Facilities include North Port Health Park and Murdock Medical Park, and offer a sports-specific program, primary stroke center and a neuro-surgical/orthopedic center of excellence. 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. Orthopedic and stroke services, emergency care center, women’s wellness center.
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 as the five-time recipient of the 100 Top Hospitals for Cardiovascular Services Award, Charlotte Regional has been an HMA facility since 1994. www.charlotteregional.com.