As Sarasota County has grown, so too has the need for accessible, high-quality healthcare. For nearly 50 years, the Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation (SMHF) has helped meet that demand, supporting Sarasota Memorial Health Care System (SMH) through philanthropy that strengthens nearly every aspect of care.
As the hospital’s fundraising arm, the Healthcare Foundation plays a crucial role in helping SMH deliver world-class healthcare to everyone it serves. Its mission is focused and far-reaching: to raise funds that support patient care, technology, clinical education, research, and facilities. Every gift—whether a major donation or a small personal contribution—helps shape the health of our community today and for generations to come.
Since its founding in 1976, the Foundation has helped transform SMH from a respected local hospital into one of the nation’s top-ranked health systems.
“As our community grows, so does the need for quality healthcare,” said Stacey Corley, president of the Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation. “In order for SMH to maintain its ranking as one of the country’s top hospitals, philanthropic support from the community is essential.”
That support—millions of dollars raised through individual gifts, community partnerships, and signature events like the Women & Medicine Educational Luncheons that are presented in Venice and in Sarasota—has provided the “margin of excellence” that sets Sarasota Memorial apart. Donor generosity has powered some of SMH’s most ambitious projects: from cutting-edge technology and clinical research to expanded facilities and specialized patient programs.
Building for a Growing Community
One of the most visible results of the Healthcare Foundation’s impact can be seen in SMH’s expansion across Sarasota County. When the community needed a hospital in south county, SMH built one in Venice. When residents of Lakewood Ranch and North Port needed emergency care, the health system opened freestanding emergency centers—and now, a full-service hospital is on the way in North Port.
All of it, said SMH leadership, comes down to one purpose: meeting people where they are.
That generosity is visible across every SMH campus.
At SMH-Venice, which opened in 2021, the need for emergency services quickly outpaced expectations. With community and Healthcare Foundation support, the hospital recently completed a $90 million expansion that more than doubled its emergency room capacity to 61 exam rooms, four trauma suites, a stroke hub, and advanced imaging facilities—all designed to serve the growing South County population.
“With these new resources, we are better equipped than ever to meet the needs of our growing population,” said Sharon Roush, SMH-Venice campus president. “This milestone represents our commitment to the community and our mission to provide world-class healthcare close to home.”
The Venice campus continues to grow, with an $82.5 million rehabilitation pavilion set to open in 2028. The four-story facility will offer inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation, featuring advanced therapy gyms, private suites, and simulated real-life environments to help patients regain independence.
Meanwhile, preparations are underway for the new SMH–North Port Hospital—a $507 million project that will open with 100 beds and room to expand to more than 200.
Healing, Innovating, and Leading the Way
The Healthcare Foundation’s support also fuels SMH’s innovation and excellence in specialty care. The Brian D. Jellison Cancer Institute, one of SMH’s signature achievements, continues to expand with the upcoming Milman-Kover Cancer Pavilion, slated to open in spring 2026. The seven-story facility will provide outpatient cancer services—from prevention and diagnosis to treatment and lifelong support—connected by skybridge to the existing Oncology Tower.
“Our vision to transform cancer care truly is becoming a reality with our new facilities, expanded services, and growing multi-disciplinary team of specialists,” said Verinder. “Thousands of local cancer patients are now receiving world-class treatment and support close to home.”
And because emergencies don’t wait, SMH has expanded lifesaving services into new communities, including the freestanding ER in Lakewood Ranch, offering 24/7 emergency care with the same advanced protocols for cardiac, stroke, and trauma as SMH’s main campuses.
A Legacy of Caring
At its heart, the Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation exists because people here believe that access to great healthcare should never be limited by geography—or by resources. Every donation, large or small, ripples outward, touching lives in moments that matter most.
As the Foundation approaches its 50th anniversary, the partnership between philanthropy and medicine remains as vital as ever—a living example of what happens when a community invests not only in hospitals and technology, but in each other.
Women & Medicine: Educating, Empowering, and Engaging
Community outreach is central to the Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation’s mission, and one of its signature events is the annual Women & Medicine Educational Luncheon. A Sarasota tradition for more than a decade and now in its second year in Venice, the program brings women together for education, inspiration, and connection with Sarasota Memorial’s leading female physicians.
This year’s Women & Medicine – Venice will be held on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Plantation Golf & Country Club. The Sarasota program follows on Friday, March 27, at The Ora. Centered on the theme “Health, Hormones and Happiness,” the event features a candid conversation with experts from Sarasota Memorial Hospital – Venice. Guests can explore wellness exhibits and take part in a lively lunchtime panel discussion.
For tickets, contact Sally Schule at 941-374-9700 or sally-schule@smh.com.
"This milestone represents our commitment to the community and our mission to provide world-class healthcare close to home.”