SARASOTA (Oct. 26, 2026) – Sarasota Memorial Health Care System has been named to Becker’s Hospital Review’s 2026 list of “100 Hospitals and Health Systems with Great Heart Programs,” recognizing the nation’s leading cardiovascular programs for outstanding clinical outcomes, advanced treatments and innovation in heart and vascular care.
The national recognition highlights hospitals and health systems with exceptional cardiovascular specialists, cutting-edge technologies and a commitment to advancing heart care through research and innovation. Becker's editorial team considered national quality rankings, clinical achievements, accreditations and recent advancements in selecting this year's honorees.
David Verinder, CEO of Sarasota Memorial Health Care System, said the recognition reflects the expertise and dedication of SMH’s multidisciplinary heart team and the health system’s continued investment in providing high-quality care close to home.
"Our heart team is committed to delivering the highest level of care to our community, from routine cardiac procedures to the most complex, lifesaving interventions," Verinder said. "This recognition speaks to the skill and dedication of our physicians, nurses and clinical teams, who continually embrace new technologies and the most effective treatments to achieve the best possible outcomes for our patients."
Sarasota Memorial's comprehensive cardiovascular program brings together cardiac surgeons, interventional cardiologists, electrophysiologists, vascular surgeons and other specialists to provide advanced, coordinated care for patients with a wide range of heart conditions. The nationally recognized team performs approximately 1,000 cardiac surgeries and 6,000 catheter-based procedures each year. Treatments range from traditional and minimally invasive heart surgery to robotic procedures, advanced valve repair and replacement, and innovative therapies for heart rhythm disorders and heart failure.
The recognition from Becker’s adds to a growing list of national honors for Sarasota Memorial’s cardiac program. Earlier this year, SMH was named one of the nation’s 50 Top Cardiovascular Hospitals in an independent quality analysis by Premier Inc., published in Modern Healthcare. In the 2026-2027 U.S. News & World Report’s Best Hospitals rankings, SMH earned high-performing ratings in seven cardiac procedures and specialties: abdominal aortic aneurysm repair, aortic valve surgery, heart arrhythmia, heart attack, heart bypass surgery, pacemaker implantation and TAVR. Both SMH-Sarasota and SMH-Venice also received national recognition from the American Heart Association for excellence in lifesaving cardiac and resuscitation care.
The health system continues to expand access to emerging cardiac technologies and treatments. Most recently, SMH heart surgeons performed a world-first procedure combining two new cardiac implants to treat heart valve disease and reduce stroke risk, while its electrophysiology team introduced a new leadless pacing therapy for select patients with heart failure.
For more information about Sarasota Memorial’s nationally recognized heart and vascular services, visit www.smh.com/heart.
To see the full list from Becker’s Hospital Review, click here.
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 about 2,500 physicians and advanced practice providers, 11,000-plus employees and 2 million patient visits a year across its network of care. Sarasota County's largest employer, the community-owned health system includes two full-service hospitals in Sarasota and Venice (and third under construction in North Port), freestanding ERs in North Port and Lakewood Ranch, a rehabilitation hospital, skilled nursing facility and comprehensive network of outpatient centers, urgent care clinics and First Physician Group primary and specialty care practices. Founded in 1925, SMH's flagship Sarasota campus also is home to the Brian D. Jellison Cancer Institute, Cornell Behavioral Health Pavilion and Kolschowsky Research and Education Institute. Both Sarasota Memorial Hospital-Sarasota and Sarasota Memorial Hospital-Venice have earned the highest 5-Star quality ratings from the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). SMH-Sarasota is the only Florida hospital - and one of just 11 in the nation - to earn a perfect 5-Star rating from CMS every year since the federal rating program began in 2016.