SARASOTA (Feb. 3, 2021) - Sarasota Memorial Health Care System is changing its leadership structure this year to integrate and coordinate care across the health system's expanding hospital network. This fall, Sarasota Memorial's transformation into a regional health system will take another step forward with the opening of a new hospital in Venice.
Lorrie Liang, who previously served as Sarasota Memorial Health Care System's Chief Operating Officer, has been appointed president of the Sarasota Memorial Hospital - Sarasota campus. In her expanded role, Liang will oversee strategic initiatives, operations and overall performance of the main hospital in Sarasota.
Liang, along with Sharon Roush, president of the Sarasota Memorial Hospital-Venice campus, and senior leaders for the health system’s First Physicians Group, Ambulatory Services and Corporate/Support Services, all report to Sarasota Memorial Health Care System President and CEO David Verinder and work collaboratively to advance the health system’s operations and strategic goals.
"Since joining Sarasota Memorial in 2015, Lorrie has been an outstanding and versatile leader focused on Sarasota Memorial's longstanding mission, vision and values. This promotion reflects my confidence in her leadership abilities and track record for transforming vision into results," said Verinder, who continues to lead the health system as a whole.
A fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives, Liang has more than 30 years of experience in hospital leadership. She earned her Master of Health Services Administration from George Washington University in Washington, D.C., and a bachelor's degree in Health Science and Policy from the University of Maryland. Before joining Sarasota Memorial Health Care System as COO in 2015, she served as vice president of the not-for-profit LifeBridge Health System/Sinai Hospital of Baltimore, leading hospital operations, service lines, physician practice groups, graduate medical education and clinical research programs in academic and community health systems.
As COO, Liang managed eight clinical and support divisions across Sarasota Memorial Health Care System, while spearheading construction and renovation projects that have expanded the size and scope of services at the hospital's Sarasota campus and outpatient network, including a state-of-the-art Rehabilitation Pavilion, the Brian D. Jellison Cancer Institute and strategic planning for a behavioral health replacement hospital on the Sarasota campus. In recent weeks, she has been managing the health system's COVID-19 vaccine rollout.
"I am incredibly proud of the care that Sarasota Memorial provides to this community, and to take part in a century of leadership that will help it continue to grow and evolve to meet the region's changing needs," said Liang. "This past year has been one of the most challenging, but also the most rewarding. I feel privileged to guide this public institution and our team through these difficult times and help protect this public asset for generations to come."
The health system has experienced significant growth in recent years, opening multiple campuses, facilities and physician practices throughout the region, while expanding vital patient care services and programs. The new leadership structure better aligns with the complexities of the expanding operations, said Verinder.
“The expertise and dedication of our entire leadership team and exceptional staff will help ensure the health system provides the highest level of care as we grow to meet the needs of our community and respond to the ongoing challenges of the pandemic,” said Verinder.
About Sarasota Memorial
Sarasota Memorial Health Care System is a regional referral center offering Southwest Florida's greatest breadth and depth of care, with more than 1 million patient visits each year. Its flagship 839-bed, acute-care hospital has been consistently recognized as one of the nation's largest and best, with superior patient outcomes and a complete continuum of outpatient services - from urgent care, trauma and emergency services to laboratory and diagnostic imaging, home health, skilled nursing and rehabilitation. SMH is the only hospital in Florida to have consistently earned the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' highest five-star quality award since the rating system launched in 2016.