SMH plans for St. Armands satellite clinic

A Sarasota Memorial Hospital subcommittee voted last week to approve $3.6 million to purchase property near St. Armands Circle to build its sixth urgent care center.

If the hospital board approves the purchase at its Dec. 15 meeting, Sarasota Memorial would purchase the land and building at 500 John Ringling Blvd., where St. Armands Medical Center and a Re/Max Platinum Realty office are currently located. The purchase does not include the building’s medical practice, according to Frank Morgan, executive director of outpatient services at Sarasota Memorial.

Dr. Edward Carlstrom, of St. Armands Medical Center, could not immediately be reached for comment.
Sarasota Memorial has considered building a clinic in the area for approximately five years, according to hospital spokeswoman Kim Savage.

“We certainly wanted to have a presence, but it was about finding the right location,” Morgan said. “We really felt we had a location that could serve not only St. Armands and Longboat Key but also Lido Key, Bird Key, Plymouth Harbor and certain areas west of the trail.”

The next 60 days “will be homework time,” as hospital officials determine whether to renovate the existing building or demolish it, according to Morgan, who said that the hospital would ideally open the St. Armands facility in late 2015 or 2016.

The facility will be Sarasota Memorial’s sixth satellite urgent care clinic.

For more information, pick up a Dec. 11 copy of the Longboat Observer.

Contact Robin Hartill at [email protected].