The SMHF Board of Trustees held its annual gala on Jan. 10 with more than 650 guests in attendance.
Janet Combs
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With over 650 guests attending the annual Hospital Gala hosted by the Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation Board of Trustees, the ballroom at The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota, was near capacity on Jan. 10.
Guests came out in their finest dress: tuxxed men and gowned women attired in every color under the rainbow — and adorned with hats, bowties, sequins and lace. They also showed off some amazing footwear that they put to the test on the dance floor to the sounds of The Royals, a 10-piece band from Jacksonville.
Each event has a focus, and this one focused on "advancing knowledge through new technologies, innovation and people." Toward that purpose, the foundation raised more than $1.8 million to support the Sarasota Memorial Health Care System and help bring world-class treatment to the community. It set a new record for funds raised at the event, which is in its ninth year.
Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation President Stacey Corley, and her husband, Michael attend the VIP event at the annual gala.
Lori Sax
Hired as the SMH CFO in 2006 and taking the helm as CEO in 2010, David Verinder and his wife, Monica, enjoy a night of fundraising at the annual gala.
Lori Sax
SMH Chief Financial Officer Jen Rosati with husband Adam, Ben Brannon, Dr. Jon Yenari and Dr. Karen Hamad.
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Chief Medical Officer Dr. Joe Seaman and his wife, Tara.
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SMHF Community Engagement Specialist Rachel Williamson, Director of Donor and Community Engagement Sally Schule and Donation Relations Manager Rachael Fisk are ready to greet over 650 guests at the Hospital Gala.
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Brady Pedler and Denise Aberle enjoy the VIP event before the gala each year.
Lori Sax
Phillip and Tami Lanham are ready for the SMHF gala held Jan. 10 at The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota.
Lori Sax
Drs. Sarah Temple, Ashley Grant and Talor Matthews
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Dr. Cecil Pickett and wife, Shirley, raise the roof with Adela and Tony Glover.
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Dr. Rose Goncalves and Louis Goncalves
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Rachel Williamson, Sally Schule and Laron Hearst are ready to greet over 650 guests.
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Kristie Murphy and Dr. Daniel Murphy, Chief of Staff at SMH Venice.
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Joan and Gary Ollman
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Anne Essner and Michael Saunders
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Ellen and Jeff Levine
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Ellen and Peter Zane
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Dr. Maritere Rochet and Dr. Benjamin Rodriguez
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Dr. Kyle Garner and his wife, Kristin.
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Kathleen Simpson, Denise Weisburgh and Elizabeth McKinley
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Mara and Chris Rumana
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Dr. Ramsay Kuo and his wife, Donna.
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Elizabeth Ackroyd and Jake Ray with Shawn and J.R. Edmiston.
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Brittany Wescott is a lead singer with The Royals Band out of Jacksonville.
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Dr. Jason Wagner with his wife, Shauna.
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Kristin and Dr. Kyle Garner with Gina and Mike Rouen
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Stacey and Jon Pawlak with Mayette Davis
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Dr. Ken Meredith and Dr. Rick Brown with Stephanie Wilder and Bree Meredith
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Jackie Frischeisen and Tony Vargas
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Ali Orme, Marina Olson, Robyn Faucy and Cyndi Miller with Jonathan and Allison Laronge.
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Martyna Glick and her husband, Dr. Alexander Glick
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Robert Seth-Ward and Kathy Klimasara
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Jeff Brooks, Joe Birdwell and Chad Fikes make this an annual event.
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Rob and Leigh Lin with Nicole and Patrick Ryskamp.
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Drs. Colleen and Mark Shank both work in emergency medicine.
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Steve and Jenny Jackson
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Jason Grabwski and Elizabeth McKinley with Brian and Diana Mumme
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Dr. Kujtim Latifi pours a splash of bubbly for his wife, Erjeta.
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Steven and Cheryl Schwarzwaelder
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Dr. Francis Curd and his wife, Pam, with Irene and Ron Johnson
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Physician Assistant Rhianna Seferian and Dr. Kasey Crawford.
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Dr. Kujtim Latifi and his wife, Erjeta, go home with beautiful flowers from the event.
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SMHF Board of Trustees hosts its 9th annual gala for over 650 guests.
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The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota ballroom is ready for over 650 guests.
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Stephanie Hersman and Carol Banach volunteer as hostesses for the 2026 SMHF Gala.
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Flora Kirwan and Pam Yanis work at SMH's HealthFit.
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The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota, bartenders Wilner Triana and Kyleen Kristich are ready to pour a lot of cocktails.
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Laron Hearst strolls the cocktail party with his electric violin.
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SMHF Director of Development Jeney Slusser and Senior Development Officer Megan Wenger.
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Jawren Walton plays sax with The Royals who are based in Jacksonville.
