2022 Community Update

Message from CEO, David Verinder

Putting our patients first…

That’s the top priority and guiding principle for the entire Sarasota Memorial Health Care System team, from the members of our governing Sarasota County Public Hospital Board to front-line staff.

Because of this unwavering commitment to the patients we serve, Sarasota Memorial recently embarked on several of the most transformative projects in our 97-year history, investing more than $1 billion in new worldclass facilities, advanced technology and the specialists and staff needed to address vital health care needs in our growing community.

This update includes an overview of initiatives to improve the health and wellness of residents for decades to come, even as we continue to face the ongoing challenges of COVID-19.

Thanks to your support, and our staff’s and Hospital Board’s dedication to providing the highest quality of care, our community has access to the greatest depth and breadth of care in the region.

It’s our privilege to serve you.

President and CEO of the Sarasota Memorial Health Care System, David Verinder

Sarasota Memorial: Governed by the Sarasota County Public Hospital Board

The only public health system in the region, Sarasota Memorial is governed by the Sarasota County Public Hospital Board, made up of nine unpaid citizens elected by voters to four-year terms. Hospital Board members are rooted in our community and have extensive expertise relevant to the complexities of health care, including backgrounds in medicine, nursing, financial planning, construction, health care governance, technology, economic development, workforce management, public service and more.

Charged with setting the strategic direction of the organization and serving as stewards of public resources, the Board establishes the organization’s annual budget in a transparent process, which includes public hearings that are open to the community. As a public, nonprofit health system, revenues are reinvested into services and facilities that improve care throughout the region.

Sharon Wetzler DePeters, APRN

Sharon Wetzler DePeters, APRN | Chair, At Large Seat 1

Term Ends: 2024

Britt Riner

Britt Riner | First Vice Chair, At Large Seat 3

Term Ends: 2024

Sarah Lodge

Sarah Lodge | Second Vice Chair, Central District Seat 1

Term Ends: 2024

Gregory Carter

Gregory Carter | Secretary, Southern District Seat 2

Term Ends: 2022

James Meister

James Meister | Asst. Secretary, Northern District Seat 1

Term Ends: 2022

Joseph J. DeVirgilio, Jr.

Joseph J. DeVirgilio, Jr. | Treasurer, Central District Seat 2

Term Ends: 2022

Darryl W. Henry

Darryl W. Henry | Asst. Treasurer, Southern District Seat 1

Term Ends: 2022

Tramm Hudson

Tramm Hudson | Member, At Large Seat 2

Term Ends: 2024

Richard Rehmeyer, MD

Richard Rehmeyer, MD | Member, Northern District Seat 2

Term Ends: 2022

New World-Class Facilities Pave the Way to a Healthier Community

Sarasota Memorial Hospital - Venice, Opened in Late 2021

Improving South County Residents’ Access to Top-Quality Care

Sarasota Memorial Hospital - Venice opened in late 2021 and is providing the growing South County community with enhanced access to the health system’s nationally recognized expertise and high quality of care.

The hospital offers a full range of medical and surgical care, as well as maternity services and an array of outpatient services. With patient volumes exceeding all expectations from day one, construction is already underway to add a new patient care tower.

The hospital has been a major economic engine for the region. Construction has generated hundreds of jobs, and nearly 1,000 employees are working at the new campus. The hospital is also expanding SMH’s extensive physician base further south, forming the foundation of the medical staff for a future hospital in North Port.

Sarasota Memorial Hospital – Venice

• Convenient location at Interstate 75 and Laurel Road.

• 110 private rooms, with construction under way to add 68 more private rooms by 2024.

• 28-bed Emergency Care Center.

• 22-bed pandemic-ready Intensive Care Unit.

• 8 operating rooms.

• Capacity to expand to 400 private rooms, 50-bed ER and 16 operating rooms.

• Campus includes medical office building with primary and specialty care physician practices.

Building Hope for Cancer Patients

Brian D. Jellison Cancer Institute at Sarasota Memorial Hospital, Opened in Late 2021

As Sarasota Memorial continues to meet the unprecedented challenges of COVID-19, it remains focused on other health needs. Projects that will help enhance our community’s access to world-class medical services, including the development of the comprehensive Brian D. Jellison Cancer Institute, continue to move forward.

Responding to the rising number of local cancer cases and the complexity of modern oncology care, the Sarasota County Public Hospital Board has paved the way for three premier oncology facilities: a Radiation Oncology Center that opened on the University Parkway outpatient campus in 2020, an Oncology and Surgical Tower that opened on the Sarasota campus in 2021, and an outpatient Cancer Pavilion slated to open on the Sarasota campus in late 2025.

More than bricks and mortar, the new facilities are places of hope and healing, giving local cancer patients access to leading specialists and the latest technology, treatments, clinical trials and supportive care, right here at home.

Sarasota Campus Oncology Tower – NOW OPEN

• 8 stories

• 56 private patient suites

• 9 ORs, including minimally invasive robotic surgery

• Full array of navigation, counseling and support

• Conference & Education Center

Sarasota Campus Cancer Pavilion – OPENING 2025

Mockup of the Sarasota Campus Cancer Pavilion - Slated to Open 2025

When complete, the seven-story outpatient Cancer Pavilion will include a new breast health center, outpatient surgery suites, radiation oncology, infusion services, diagnostic imaging and integrative and supportive care. It also will be home to medical, surgical and radiation oncology physician clinics.

Cornell Family Behavioral Health Pavilion – Opening 2023

Cornell Family Behavioral Health Pavilion, Slated to Open Fall of 2023

At a time when growing numbers of community members are seeking care for mental health issues, Sarasota Memorial is moving forward with a new behavioral health pavilion that will expand and centralize services and replace aging facilities. Scheduled to open in the Fall of 2023 on the Sarasota campus, the new Cornell Family Behavioral Health Pavilion will be a state-of-the-art facility, providing access to comprehensive inpatient and outpatient behavioral and mental health services tailored to specific patient populations, including adults, seniors, children and adolescents.

Helping to Ease Caregiver Shortages

With communities around the nation facing shortages of doctors and nurses, Sarasota Memorial is taking extra steps to attract and retain health care providers by providing a training ground for the next generation of caregivers:

• In 2017, the hospital launched Sarasota’s first physician residency program, and now has 68 physicians training in high-demand areas each year, including:

- 39 Internal Medicine residents working at SMH and our Newtown practice, helping to address health disparities.

- 27 Emergency Medicine residents and 2 Hospice and Palliative Medicine fellows.

• On-site nursing and pharmacy residency programs help new nurses and pharmacists successfully transition into professional practice.

• The health system’s First Physicians Group recruited 118 new providers in the last year and half, and has more than 320 physicians and advanced practice providers delivering specialty and primary care throughout the region.

• In addition, hundreds of independent physicians serve on the Medical Staffs of our two hospitals. Whether working in the hospital, in an office or out in the community, these highly trained and skilled doctors are committed to improving the quality of life of every patient who comes through their doors.

Enhancing Care through Leading Edge Research

Sarasota Memorial has decades of experience participating in national clinical trials across a wide range of specialties, bringing the latest treatments for cancer, COVID-19 and other diseases to our community.

Charting a Path to a Safe “New Normal” As COVID-19 Continues

For nearly three years, Sarasota Memorial has taken a lead role in the battle against COVID-19, treating thousands of patients.

Our team led efforts to protect the community through vaccination, setting up several clinics for seniors and under-served and vulnerable populations when COVID vaccines first became available.

The health system also established clinics to provide outpatients with monoclonal antibody treatments and other anti-viral therapies to help reduce hospitalizations. Most recently, Sarasota Memorial was instrumental in creating and coordinating the Sarasota County COVID Therapy Coalition, which helps community members access the right COVID treatments and testing at the right time.

Throughout the health crisis, the health system’s expert physicians and clinicians have provided multi-media updates on a weekly basis to share important guidance, tips and information with residents.

As the pandemic stretches on, Sarasota Memorial’s commitment to keep our patients, staff and the community safe hasn’t wavered. The health system continues to:

• Maintain a large inventory of PPE

• Refine contingency plans to quickly increase our capacity to handle patient surges

• Increase clinical staffing and reward and recognize staff for their heroic efforts

• Expand capabilities for: telehealth, laboratory testing and capacity, COVID-19 research

Staff also have worked tirelessly to ensure that non-COVID medical needs are met, and encourage patients to stay up-to-date on preventive care and health screenings.

Sarasota Memorial has provided the Lion’s Share of COVID care since the pandemic's onset.

Awards and Recognition

• The only hospital in Florida to receive the highest 5-star quality rating from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid in all reporting periods since the program began in 2016.

• Named one of the world’s best hospitals 2019-2022 by Newsweek magazine.

• Straight “A” grades for safety from The Leapfrog Group, an independent hospital watchdog organization, since 2016.

• One of just 41 organizations worldwide to earn Gallup’s Exceptional Workplace Award for 2022.

• Named among the nation’s 100 Top Hospitals, 40 Top Teaching Hospitals and 50 Top Cardiovascular Hospitals for 2022 by Fortune/Merative.

• Ranked among the 50 best hospitals for specialized Rehabilitation care and a top performer in 15 conditions/ procedures by U.S. News in 2021/22.

• One of just 1% of U.S. hospitals to earn Magnet Nursing Recognition — the highest honor for nursing excellence — 4 times.

Support World-Class Care

The Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation is the philanthropic partner that helps Sarasota Memorial provide world-class care. For more information or to make a gift, please call (941) 917-1286 or visit smhf.org.

Volunteers Make a Difference

Sarasota Memorial’s volunteers provide vital support throughout the health system. If you’re interested in becoming a volunteer, please call (941) 917-1008 or email volunteer-office@smh.com.