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The 2025-2026 U.S. News & World Report rankings are outand Southwest Florida has reason to celebrate. Lee Memorial Hospital in Fort Myers and NCH Baker Hospital in Naples have both earned high marks in this years list of Best Regional Hospitals, proving that top-tier healthcare isnt limited to major cities.In its 36th annual Best Hospitals report, U.S. News evaluated more than 4,440 hospitals nationwide, using performance-based metrics across 30 medical and surgical services. Out of those, only 504 hospitals across 49 states and 95 metro areas earned the designation of "Best Regional Hospital"and both Naples and Fort Myers made the cut.Floridas Best Hospital: AdventHealth OrlandoAdventHealth Orlando took the top spot as Floridas #1 hospital and also landed a prestigious spot among the Top 20 hospitals nationwide. That places AdventHealth Orlando alongside world-renowned institutions like Mayo Clinic-Rochester, Johns Hopkins, and Cleveland Clinic.These top rankings are based on rigorous, data-driven analysis, including metrics like risk-adjusted mortality rates, preventable complications, nursing staffing, and patient outcomes across more than 800 million records of care. Two new categories were added this year: Heart Arrhythmia and Pacemaker Implantation, bringing the total number of condition-specific ratings to 22.Fort Myers & Naples Regional StandoutsAmong Floridas top hospitals, Lee Memorial Hospital in Fort Myers ranked #12, and NCH Baker Hospital in Naples ranked #16, both earning recognition for their commitment to quality care and specialized services. Also on the list is Gulf Coast Medical Center in Fort Myers, tied at #18.These local hospitals arent just numbers on a listthey are vital pillars of their communities, offering high-level care close to home. As Ben Harder, managing editor and chief of health analysis at U.S. News, noted:For most Americans, health care decisions are made close to home. The Best Regional Hospitals rankings underscore the difference high-performing local medical centers make.Floridas Top 5 Regional Hospitals:No. 2 - Mayo Clinic-Florida, JacksonvilleNo. 3 - UF Health Shands Hospital, GainesvilleNo. 4 - Tampa General Hospital, TampaNo. 5 - Orlando Health - Orlando Regional Medical Center, OrlandoNo. 6 - Cleveland Clinic Weston, WestonNo. 7 - Baptist Health Baptist Hospital, MiamiNo. 8 - Baptist Medical Center, JacksonvilleNo. 9 - Sarasota Memorial Hospital, SarasotaNo. 10 - Mount Sinai Medical Center, Miami BeachNo. 11 - HCA Florida North Florida Hospital, GainesvilleNo. 12 - Lee Memorial Hospital, Fort MyersNo. 12 - University of Miami Hospital and Clinics - UHealth Tower, MiamiNo. 14 - AdventHealth Daytona Beach, Daytona BeachNo. 14 - Morton Plant Hospital, ClearwaterNo. 16 - AdventHealth Tampa, TampaNo. 16 - NCH Baker Hospital, NaplesNo. 18 - Gulf Coast Medical Center, Fort MyersNo. 18 - Memorial Hospital West, Pembroke PinesNo. 18 - St. Josephs Hospital, TampaNo. 21 - Ascension St. Vincents Riverside Hospital, JacksonvilleNo. 21 - Cleveland Clinic Martin Health, StuartNo. 21 - Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare, TallahasseeNo. 24 - Health First Holmes Regional Medical Center, MelbourneNo. 25 - Brandon Regional Hospital, BrandonNo. 25 - HCA Florida Oak Hill Hospital, BrooksvilleNo. 25 - HCA Florida Ocala Hospital, OcalaNo. 28 - AdventHealth Waterman, TavaresNo. 28 - Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital, Vero BeachNo. 28 - HCA Florida Kendall Hospital, MiamiNo. 31 - AdventHealth Fish Memorial, Orange CityNo. 31 - Ascension Sacred Heart Pensacola Hospital, PensacolaNo. 31 - Baptist Hospital, PensacolaNo. 31 - Memorial Regional Hospital, HollywoodNo. 35 - AdventHealth Ocala, OcalaNo. 35 - AdventHealth Zephyrhills, ZephyrhillsNo. 37 - AdventHealth Palm Coast, Palm CoastNo. 37 - Baptist Health South Miami Hospital, South MiamiNo. 37 - HCA Florida Aventura Hospital, AventuraAs our population grows and ages, access to high-quality healthcare becomes more critical than ever. The inclusion of Fort Myers and Naples hospitals in these rankings sends a powerful message: residents dont need to travel far to receive nationally recognized care. From emergency services to specialized surgery and chronic disease management, Southwest Florida continues to raise the bar.For more details and the full list of hospital rankings, visit the U.S. News & World Report Best Hospitals 2025-2026.

When you think of an Older American, what image comes to mind? A parent or grandparent? A military veteran or grumpy neighbor? Or perhaps you just think of someone slow, weak or frail? As the leading advocate for seniors in our community, it our goal at Baker Senior Center Naples to flip the script on such age-related stereotypes. Our stated mission is to provide Confidence, Connection and Support to adults over the age of 60 and their families, helping them thrive and enjoy life to its fullest. We do this through a range of comprehensive programs and services. Established in 1963, Older Americans Month is celebrated annually to recognize and honor the many contributions and achievements of older adults across the United States and highlight their ongoing involvement in society. Led by the Administration for Community Living, it is a time to highlight important trends and strengthen our commitment to honoring our older citizens. It also is an opportunity to draw attention to activities benefitting seniors. The Administration for Community Living wisely chose their 2025 theme, Flip the Script on Aging, as a means of transforming societal perceptions and approaches to aging, encouraging active engagement and highlighting the many contributions of older adults.  This theme particularly resonates with our team as we have become acutely aware of these perceptions. Often, we hear visitors share similar comments as they walk into our building for the first time. Comments such as, Wow! This is not what I expected a senior center to be or This place is so bright and beautiful, or Everyone seems so active and happy.   After hearing these comments so frequently, I eventually began to ask, What did you expect? The responses were always the same, I expected it to be dark and dreary or I never expected it to be so big, bright and clean or I expected to see people sitting around and disengaged.  Those who have visited us know that our 30,000-square-foot building, which opened in 2023, is filled with light and brightly colored art and, most importantly, members and clients who are engaged and thrive through the many wellness programs we offer. We dispel the myths created about aging through the media that often portray seniors as frail, forgetful and depressed.  Of course, this is not surprising as age stereotypes have been ingrained in each of us. Even as little children we learn nursery rhymes like There was an old woman who lived in a shoe and This old man.  At Baker Senior Center Naples, we promote wellness and thriving in older adults through an average of 40 different programs each week that provide social engagement, physical activity, mental stimulation and cognitive support, which all lead to positive functioning and resilience.  We are one of just 111 senior centers in the United States accredited by the National Council on Aging, and the only one that provides comprehensive services by licensed and credentialed professionals such as mental health counseling, case management, dementia respite groups and caregiver support, all under one roof. We also offer a choice food pantry for those in need. We are proud that Baker Senior Center Naples is considered the central address in our community for older adults to meet and connect in a warm and nurturing environment.We invite you to visit us at 6200 Autumn Oaks Lane as we Flip the Script on Aging.  By Dr. Jaclynn Faffer President/CEO of Baker Senior Center Naples (Dr. Jaclynn Faffer is President/CEO of Baker Senior Center Naples, a nonprofit organization that provides comprehensive, one-stop-shop professional services and programs for older adults and their families.)  

When families face the reality that their loved one needs medical travel or relocation, the choices often feel impossible. Traditional medical transport can cost upwards of $80,000 for air ambulance services, while attempting to transport your loved one without professional travel assistance puts vulnerable travelers at serious risk. But there is a new option many families are not yet aware of: specialized medical travel companions like GOMO Travel, who bridge the gap between expensive emergency transport and dangerous solo travel. By providing registered nurse travel companions, GOMO is able to facilitate journeys that prioritize both safety and dignity.The $70,000 Gap That Changes EverythingThe medical travel industry traditionally operates under extreme conditions. Emergency medical transport services like air ambulances treat every journey as life-or-death, with ICU-level equipment and astronomical costs. Meanwhile, families navigate complex travel logistics alone, often putting elderly or medically fragile loved ones in dangerous situations.However, GOMOs professional medical travel companions provide registered nurse-level care without emergency medical billing, typically costing $5,500 to $7,500 for domestic travel. Compared to a whopping $20,000 to $80,000+ for traditional medical transport, the benefits in savings alone are a no-brainer for most families on a budget.When Crisis Strikes and You Cant Be ThereWhen Hurricane Dorian threatened Florida in 2019, Keith from Cape Cod faced every familys nightmare: his mother was in a senior living center under mandatory evacuation orders, and he was hundreds of miles away. We were out of town when mandatory evacuations from Hurricane Dorian were imposed on my mothers senior living center in Florida. We called GOMO Travel and they swiftly and safely moved her out of harms way.This scenario highlights what happens when families cant be present during critical moments. Medical travel isnt just about transportationits ensuring the journey doesnt become a medical emergency. Perhaps thats why GOMO Travel has maintained a 5-Star rating since the companys founding.The Registered Nurse AdvantageNot all medical travel companions provide equal care and attention. While some services employ basic healthcare workers, GOMOs registered nurses bring training and insight that can prevent medical crises. RNs can assess situations, communicate with case managers & discharge planners, ease confusion for travelers with cognitive issues, and recognize early warning signs for others.Most importantly, RN-accompanied medical travel operates differently than emergency transport, allowing flexibility to customize travel around comfort and lifestyle needs while maintaining safety standards.Beyond Medical Necessity: Reclaiming Lifes MomentsTraditional medical transport only operates with documented medical necessity, excluding family gatherings, graduations, and bucket list experiences. Professional medical travel companions enable people with medical challenges to participate in meaningful moments without compromising safety.This flexibility extends to fully customizable itineraries and leisure travel extensions. The goal shifts from pure medical transport to enabling meaningful experiences with appropriate medical oversight.The Insurance RealityTraditional air ambulance services often require pre-approval and may bill patients for uncovered amounts. Professional medical travel services operate outside traditional medical billing, providing transparent, upfront pricing with no surprise bills. This model often results in significant savings, especially when insurance coverage is uncertain.Making the Right DecisionWhen evaluating medical travel options, ask yourself these critical questions:Does your loved one need emergency medical intervention or safe, comfortable travel support?Will the stress and complexity of the journey create additional medical complications?Are you prepared for potential delays, layovers, or unexpected situations during travel?Do you need flexibility for non-medical travel, like family events or leisure trips?Can you afford surprise medical bills that may arrive months after service?Professional medical travel services combine registered nurse expertise with concierge-level service and transparent pricing, creating the sweet spot between safety and affordability.Travel challenges dont have to end mobility and independence. With proper support, even complex medical situations can be managed safely and affordably, allowing families to focus on being together during lifes important moments.