
Sarasota Memorial Hospital (SMH) is a publicly owned 901-bed healthcare facility located in Sarasota, Florida. It is not currently part of HCA, a for-profit hospital network, despite past privatization rumours. HCA West Florida has denied plans to privatize SMH, stating that they have no intention of doing so. However, HCA and other for-profit hospitals have expressed frustration over property tax payments without access to funds raised by Sarasota Memorial through property taxes. HCA operates Sarasota Doctors Hospital, a 155-bed private facility in Sarasota County, which is part of Florida's largest network of care.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Sarasota Memorial Hospital (SMH) |
| Location | Sarasota, Florida |
| Year founded | 1925 |
| Number of beds | 901 |
| Trauma center level | II |
| Owner | Publicly owned |
| Affiliation | Sarasota Memorial Health Care System |
| HCA affiliation | No |
| Services | Internal medicine, emergency medicine residency training programs, cancer care, cardiology, physical rehabilitation, urology, orthopedic surgery |
| Recognition | US News & World Report's Best Hospitals in the world, Fortune/Merative's 100 Top Hospitals in the US, top three teaching hospitals in Florida |
| Patient safety rating | Straight 'A's from the Leapfrog Group |
| HCA Florida Sarasota Doctors Hospital | Part of the HCA healthcare system, founded in 1967, 155-bed facility |
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What You'll Learn
- Sarasota Memorial Hospital is a publicly-owned 901-bed facility in Sarasota, Florida
- Sarasota Memorial Hospital has received recognition for its specialties, including cancer care, cardiology, and orthopedic surgery
- HCA West Florida denied trying to privatize Sarasota Memorial Hospital
- Sarasota Memorial Hospital is the flagship facility of the Sarasota Memorial Health Care System
- HCA Florida Sarasota Doctors Hospital is a 155-bed facility that has served Sarasota since 1967

Sarasota Memorial Hospital is a publicly-owned 901-bed facility in Sarasota, Florida
Sarasota Memorial Hospital (SMH) is a publicly owned, 901-bed healthcare facility located in Sarasota, Florida. It was founded in 1925 and has since expanded to include a second full hospital campus, Sarasota Memorial Hospital - Venice, in the southern part of Sarasota County.
SMH is the flagship facility of the Sarasota Memorial Health Care System, which services Sarasota and Manatee counties. The hospital also serves as the central hub for the system's urgent care centres and network of outpatient labs and offices. It is a level II trauma centre and has gained national recognition for its specialties, including cancer care, cardiology, physical rehabilitation, urology, and orthopedic surgery.
In 2022, US News & World Report named SMH one of the Best Hospitals in the world, and it was also ranked as one of the top three teaching hospitals in Florida. The hospital has received straight 'A's for patient safety from the Leapfrog Group since 2016.
While Sarasota Memorial Hospital is publicly owned, there have been rumours and discussions about potential privatisation. HCA West Florida, a for-profit healthcare company, has been mentioned in relation to these privatisation efforts. However, HCA West Florida has denied plans to privatise SMH, and the hospital board has voted against privatisation, choosing to remain a public nonprofit.
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Sarasota Memorial Hospital has received recognition for its specialties, including cancer care, cardiology, and orthopedic surgery
Sarasota Memorial Hospital is not part of HCA (Hospital Corporation of America). It is an independent, public hospital offering a range of specialty services, including cancer care, cardiology, and orthopedic surgery. The hospital has received recognition and accolades for its high standards of patient care and innovative treatments across these specialties.
The Cancer Institute at Sarasota Memorial Hospital has been recognised for its comprehensive oncology services. The institute offers a multidisciplinary approach to cancer care, providing patients with access to a team of medical experts, the latest technologies, and a range of treatment options. This includes advanced surgical techniques, radiation therapy, and access to clinical trials. The institute's comprehensive care also extends to supportive services, such as nutritional counselling, psychological support, and rehabilitation, ensuring patients' holistic well-being.
In the field of cardiology, Sarasota Memorial Hospital has established itself as a leader in cardiac care. The hospital's cardiac centre provides a wide range of services, from preventative cardiology and advanced diagnostics to interventional procedures and rehabilitative care. The centre is equipped with cutting-edge technology, allowing for precise diagnoses and innovative treatments. The hospital's cardiac team comprises experienced cardiologists, interventional cardiology specialists, and supportive care staff, ensuring patients receive the highest calibre of expertise and personalised care.
The hospital's Orthopedic Surgery Department has also garnered recognition for its exceptional standards of care. The department offers specialised services for joint replacements, sports medicine, spine surgery, and hand and upper extremity surgery. The orthopedic surgeons at Sarasota Memorial Hospital utilise the latest minimally invasive techniques, robotic-assisted technologies, and innovative procedures to enhance patient outcomes and expedite recovery. The hospital's comprehensive approach to orthopedic care includes pre-operative education, tailored post-operative care plans, and access to physical therapy and rehabilitation services.
Sarasota Memorial Hospital's commitment to excellence is reflected in the recognition received by its specialty departments. Through continuous innovation, investment in technology, and a patient-centred approach, the hospital has established itself as a trusted provider of advanced medical care in these critical areas of health.
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HCA West Florida denied trying to privatize Sarasota Memorial Hospital
Sarasota Memorial Hospital (SMH) is a publicly owned 901-bed healthcare facility located in Sarasota, Florida. It was founded in 1925 and is the flagship facility of the Sarasota Memorial Health Care System, which serves Sarasota and Manatee counties. The hospital has gained national recognition for its specialties, including cancer care, cardiology, physical rehabilitation, and orthopedic surgery.
In 2014, rumors began circulating that HCA West Florida, one of the state's largest for-profit hospital chains, was attempting to privatize Sarasota Memorial Hospital. These rumors were fueled by an unusual surge of candidates during the final days of qualifying for the hospital board elections. Speculation arose that HCA was hoping to pack the board with pro-privatization members. However, HCA West Florida vehemently denied these claims. JC Sadler, vice president of marketing for HCA Florida West, stated that there was "absolutely no effort" on their part to privatize SMH. Sadler emphasized that HCA West Florida was interested in supporting candidates who would look out for the "needs of all the taxpayers."
Despite the denial from HCA West Florida, supporters of Sarasota Memorial Hospital remained cautious. A political action committee, "Save Our Community Hospital," was formed to oppose any potential privatization efforts. They aimed to raise a significant amount of money to counter any privatization attempts.
The privatization rumors came just a year after the Sarasota Memorial Hospital board voted unanimously against privatization in 2013. This vote was prompted by Gov. Rick Scott's push for all public hospitals to justify remaining public or consider privatization. Scott's influence was notable, given his previous role as CEO of Columbia/HCA, where he had questioned the value of government-run hospitals.
While HCA West Florida denied trying to privatize Sarasota Memorial Hospital, they acknowledged a financial interest in the hospital board elections. They expressed frustration over paying property taxes while not sharing in the revenue generated by Sarasota Memorial Hospital through the same taxes. However, they maintained their position of not actively pursuing the privatization of the hospital.
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Sarasota Memorial Hospital is the flagship facility of the Sarasota Memorial Health Care System
Sarasota Memorial Hospital (SMH) is a publicly owned 901-bed healthcare facility located in Sarasota, Florida. Founded in 1925, it is the flagship facility of the Sarasota Memorial Health Care System, which serves Sarasota and Manatee counties. The hospital is a Level II trauma centre and acts as the central hub for the system's urgent care centres and network of outpatient labs and offices.
SMH has gained national recognition for its services and specialties, including cancer care, cardiology, physical rehabilitation, urology, and orthopedic surgery. In 2022, US News & World Report named it one of the Best Hospitals in the world, and it was ranked among the 100 Top Hospitals in the nation by Fortune/Merative. The hospital has consistently received 'A' grades for patient safety from the Leapfrog Group.
SMH has a long history in the community, with local residents raising funds for its establishment in 1921. It opened on November 2, 1925, with 32 beds and canvas tents. Over the years, the hospital expanded its facilities and services, including the addition of a surgical suite and an air-conditioned unit. In the 21st century, SMH expanded further with a second full hospital campus, the Sarasota Memorial Hospital - Venice, in the southern part of Sarasota County.
Despite rumours and legal challenges, Sarasota Memorial Hospital has maintained its status as a public, non-profit hospital. In 2014, HCA West Florida denied plans to privatise SMH, and the hospital board has voted against privatisation to keep the hospital public. SMH is committed to providing comprehensive healthcare services and has established residency training programs in internal medicine and emergency medicine, affiliated with Florida State University.
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HCA Florida Sarasota Doctors Hospital is a 155-bed facility that has served Sarasota since 1967
HCA Florida Sarasota Doctors Hospital is a 155-bed facility that has served Sarasota and Manatee counties since 1967. It is part of Florida's largest network of care and provides patients with a range of advanced healthcare services. The hospital is committed to offering high-quality care with a compassionate, patient-focused approach. It offers personalized care plans, created in partnership with multidisciplinary teams, to meet the growing and changing healthcare needs of the Sarasota community.
The hospital is located in the heart of Sarasota County and provides a luxurious healthcare experience with resort-style treatment and special amenities in a coastal location. It offers private rooms, online registration for services, and a full spectrum of emergency care, including rapid assessments and treatments from a multidisciplinary team experienced in emergency care.
HCA Florida Sarasota Doctors Hospital has been recognised for its excellence in surgical care, with accreditations in breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computerized tomography (CT), and ultrasound by the American College of Radiology. It has also been named among the top 5% in the nation for surgical care by Healthgrades.
The hospital provides a range of career opportunities, including clinical specialties, IT, finance, business, operations, and executive roles. It offers competitive salaries, mentorship opportunities, and a wide range of benefits designed to empower the total well-being of its employees.
While there were rumours in 2014 that HCA West Florida was attempting to privatise Sarasota Memorial Hospital, these were denied by an HCA West Florida spokeswoman, JC Sadler, who stated that there was "no effort" to privatise the hospital. Sarasota Memorial Hospital, founded in 1925, is a publicly owned 901-bed healthcare facility and the flagship of the Sarasota Memorial Health Care System.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Sarasota Memorial Hospital is a publicly owned 901-bed health care facility located in Sarasota, Florida. However, there is a separate hospital called HCA Florida Sarasota Doctors Hospital, which is located in Sarasota County.
Sarasota Memorial Hospital is a level II trauma center and the flagship facility of the Sarasota Memorial Health Care System, which services Sarasota and Manatee counties. The hospital has received straight 'A's for patient safety from the Leapfrog Group since 2016.
HCA Florida Sarasota Doctors Hospital is a 155-bed private room facility that has been serving residents of Sarasota and Manatee counties since 1967. The hospital is committed to providing advanced healthcare services with a compassionate, patient-focused approach and has been recognized for its surgical care, orthopedics, treatment of stroke, and mental health.
In 2014, there were rumors that HCA West Florida was planning to privatize Sarasota Memorial Hospital. However, HCA denied these rumors and stated that they had no intention of privatizing the hospital. Sarasota Memorial Hospital supporters formed a political action committee called "Save Our Community Hospital" to oppose any potential privatization efforts.











































