SARASOTA (Oct. 30, 2025) – Sarasota Memorial Health Care System marked a century of service with a special reception held today in the courtyard of its flagship Sarasota hospital.
With approximately 200 guests that included past and present hospital board members, local and state elected officials, community leaders, physicians and staff, Sarasota Memorial CEO David Verinder reflected on SMH’s historic milestone and recognized its longest-serving physicians, staff and volunteers.
"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."
Back in 1925, the new hospital got off the ground thanks to the support of citizens and businesses who helped fund the $40,000 facility. The 32-bed hospital, which opened Nov. 2, 1925, had about a dozen physicians and 10 nurses and staff, serving a population of roughly 12,000. The hospital had the capacity to treat a few hundred patients a year. 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.
Chief Medical Officer James Fiorica, MD, 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."
Chief Medical Officer James Fiorica, MD, honored SMH’s two longest serving active physicians – Bruce Fleegler, MD, and Harold “Hesch” Kulman, MD – who helped shape vital policies and procedures in critical care, pulmonary medicine and surgery over distinguished 50-year careers at SMH.
Dr. Fiorica recognized new and veteran physicians who have overseen SMH's quality initiatives and clinical research, and paid tribute to Sarasota Memorial's two longest serving active physicians - pulmonologist and critical care specialist Bruce Fleegler, MD, and surgeon Harold "Hesch" Kulman, MD. Both joined SMH in 1976 and helped shape vital policies and procedures in critical care, pulmonary medicine and surgery over distinguished 50-year careers. Both also have received SMH Lifetime Achievement Awards and continue to serve as physician educators and mentors on the Florida State University College of Medicine faculty.
Longtime nurse Clara Rock, RN, was honored as SMH's longest-serving employee. Rock also 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.
Clara Rock was honored as SMH's longest-serving employee. Rock started her career at SMH in 1976, first as a high school nursing assistant, later becoming an RN and joining the Labor & Delivery team, helping deliver more than 5,000 babies.
SMH was built and supported over the decades by dedicated volunteers and generous donors, and SMH leaders also took the opportunity to honor Ginny Rosenhaus, one of the longest serving volunteers who has given more than 10,000 hours to SMH the past 25 years. Verinder and Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation President Stacey Corley thanked many of the donors in attendance for their generous support through the decades.
Sarasota Mayor Liz Alpert presented a proclamation from the City of Sarasota, commending SMH for a century of care. The original 32-bed hospital, first named Sarasota Hospital, was annexed into the city and renamed Sarasota Municipal Hospital shortly after opening. It was renamed again in the 1950s to Sarasota Memorial Hospital to honor the veterans of World I and II. SMH expanded its name to Sarasota Memorial Health Care System during the 2000s to reflect its growing network of outpatient centers, medical offices and community services.
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.
Ginny Rosenhaus, one of the longest serving volunteers has given more than 10,000 hours to SMH the past 25 years.
"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."
About Sarasota Memorial Health Care System
Sarasota Memorial Health Care System is a regional medical center offering Southwest Florida’s greatest breadth and depth of care, with 2,500 physicians and advanced practice providers and nearly 2 million patient visits a year across its growing network of care. Sarasota County’s largest employer, the community-owned health system now includes two full-service hospitals in Sarasota and Venice, freestanding ERs in North Port and Lakewood Ranch, a comprehensive cancer institute, a rehabilitation hospital, behavioral health hospital, skilled nursing facility and comprehensive network of outpatient centers, urgent care clinics and physician practices. To learn more about SMH’s storied history, we encourage you to visit the hospital’s centennial webpage at smh.com/100.