SMH celebrates 100 years of service

By Observer Staff
| 12:25 p.m. October 31, 2025

Registered Nurse Clara Rock started at Sarasota Memorial Hospital as an assistant in high school. She poses with her Labor and Delivery team at the celebration.

Sarasota
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At a celebration of Sarasota Memorial Health Care System’s 100 years of service on Friday, the future mixed with the past in a gathering attended by about 200 guests at the system’s centerpiece hospital on Tamiami Trail.

Hosted by Sarasota Memorial CEO David Verinder, the event harkened back to Nov. 2, 1925 when the then-32-bed hospital opened with about 10 physicians and 12 nurses serving a population of around 12,000.

“From Day 1, the dedication of the people who work here have set this organization apart,” he said. “Our outstanding physicians, employees, volunteers and leaders, and our philanthropic and community partners have built the health system into the nationally recognized institution it is today.”

Today, SMH is the region’s largest employer, with more than 2,500 physicians and advanced practice providers, nearly 11,000 staff and about 2 million patient visits a year.

Medical leaders, board members past and present, community stakeholders and elected officials took part in the ceremonies.

Critical care specialist Dr. Bruce Fleegler was honored as one of the longest-serving physicians at Sarasota Memorial Health Care System.

Surgeon Dr. Harold Kulhman was honored as one of the longest-serving physicians at Sarasota Memorial Health Care System.

Ginny Rosenhaus is one of the longest serving volunteers at the hospital, giving more than 10,000 hours since 2000.

Chief Medical Officer Dr. James Fiorica noted that at the time SMH opened in 1925, penicillin had yet to be discovered, and insulin was emerging as a new treatment for diabetes. “Today, we have state-of-the-art treatments ranging from advanced genetic therapies to robotic surgical procedures,” he said. “We have a robust research institute that ensures our community has access to the latest treatments.”

SMH honored Clara Rock as the longest-serving employee. Rock started her career at SMH in 1976, first as a high school nursing assistant and later becoming an RN. She joined the Labor & Delivery team in 1986 and has helped deliver more than 5,000 babies. Described as the “rock” of her nursing unit, she has mentored generations of nurses. She and her husband Carlos, another longtime SMH hospitality employee (now retired) were named Employees of the Year in 2012.

Sarasota Mayor Liz Alpert presented a proclamation from the city. The city annexed the original Sarasota Hospital, renamed it Sarasota Municipal Hospital shortly after opening. In the 1950s, another renaming took place to Sarasota Memorial Hospital to honor the veterans of both world wars. SMH expanded its name to Sarasota Memorial Health Care System during the 2000s.

Chief Executive Officer David Varinder addresses the crowd during Sarasota Memorial Health Care System’s 100-year celebration. — Chief Executive Officer David Verinder addresses the crowd during Sarasota Memorial Health Care System’s 100-year celebration.

Verinder wrapped up the event by sharing upcoming milestones, including the groundbreaking of SMH-North Port scheduled on Nov. 7 and the opening of the Milman-Kover Cancer Pavilion early next year.

“Throughout the decades, the hospital has grown with our community,” Verinder said. “But as we’ve grown, some things haven’t changed. At the heart of our mission is a commitment to educating and empowering the next generation of healthcare professionals ... expanding access to life-saving care ... and ensuring that everyone who needs us, across the entire region, receives the world-class, compassionate care they deserve.”