About Sarasota Memorial Health

Sarasota Memorial is the realization of “the dream of many made possible by the intensive efforts of a few and the generosity of all,” as the Sarasota Herald wrote in November 1925 to announce the opening of the first modern hospital in Sarasota County. From simple canvas tents to today’s modern campus, follow the timeline below to trace our eight decades of history.

Sarasota Memorial becomes the first hospital in southwest Florida to earn the international Baby-Friendly Hospital designation for promoting the best practices in maternity care. The comprehensive heart program is the first in Florida and the fourth in the US to receive the American Heart Association’s Cardiovascular Center of Excellence accreditation for exemplary cardiac care. The Sarasota Memorial Cancer Institute, in partnership with Sarasota Military Academy, launches a new oncology internship program for high-school students. Sarasota Memorial Hospital is the only Florida hospital to earn the Certified Quality Breast Center of Excellence desigation, awarded by the National Quality Measures for Breast Centers. Sarasota Memorial receives the prestigious American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Magnet Recognition Program Magnet designation for a fourth consecutive time, an achievement attained by fewer than 1% of US hospitals. Sarasota Memorial names the founding president of its Venice hospital: Sharon Roush, a well-known and respected hospital executive and a community leader in Florida. Sarasota Memorial opens the West Parking Garage on Arlington Street, adding 583 much-needed parking spaces to the main campus, and purchases the former Sarasota Herald-Tribune building on Main Street in downtown Sarasota to house many support departments.