SARASOTA, Fla. (May 26, 2026) – Sarasota Memorial Health Care System’s Kolschowsky Research and Education Institute and Florida State University College of Medicine held its 2026 Interprofessional Research Conference on May 6, showcasing interprofessional research and clinical innovation taking place in our community.
More than 430 healthcare professionals attended the event, which showcased over 110 posters and 20 presentations by physicians, pharmacists, nurses, and other clinicians from across the region. With its largest audience to date, the event drew attendees from more than 25 different organizations. A dedicated networking session provided attendees with the opportunity to connect and share ideas, further fostering collaboration and innovation across disciplines.
Bobby Mukkamala, MD, president of the American Medical Association, delivered the keynote address, "Where Innovation Meets Care: AI, Technology and the Future of Medicine." His presentation explored how artificial intelligence and emerging technologies are changing care delivery, supporting clinicians and shaping the future of healthcare. Dr. Mukkamala emphasized the importance of keeping clinicians at the center of healthcare innovation as new technologies continue to evolve.
For the third consecutive year, Joel Morganroth, MD, donated $25,000 to the Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation to support local clinician-initiated research and innovation. This year's 2026 Morganroth Research Grant Award recipient was M. Blair Marshall, MD, FACS, a thoracic oncology surgeon with SMH's First Physicians Group and Brian D. Jellison Cancer Institute. Her study will use physiological testing and AI-driven imaging to examine changes in lung function among patients undergoing lung cancer surgery. The research will evaluate pulmonary function
before and after robotic segmentectomy or lobectomy to better predict postoperative recovery.
Research and Innovation Award Recipients:
- Distinguished Physician – Research and Innovation Award: Jason K. Wagner, MD, MSc, FACS, FSVS, RPVI
- Distinguished Nurse – Research and Innovation Award: Chelsea Arnold, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC
- Distinguished Allied Health Professional – Research and Innovation Award: Jordan Colbert, MPH, RDN
- Research and Innovation Excellence Award: Jennifer Jordan, BS, RDCS, RVT
- Distinguished Pharmacy – Research and Innovation Award: Kirsten Busey, PharmD, BCCCP
- FSU Emergency Medicine Residency Program Distinguished Faculty Research Scholar Award: Ryan Snitowsky, MD
- FSU Emergency Medicine Residency Program Resident Research Award: Jude Polit-Moran, MD
- FSU Internal Medicine Residency Program Distinguished Faculty Research Scholar Award: Hakim Morsli, MD
- FSU Internal Medicine Residency Program Resident Research Award: Benjamin Behers, MD
- FSU Emergency Medical Services Fellowship Program Distinguished Faculty Research Scholar Award: Marshall Frank, DO
- FSU Emergency Medical Services Fellowship Program Fellow Research Award: Sean Casey, DO
The fourth annual Interprofessional Research Conference highlighted the strength and continued growth of Sarasota Memorial's clinician-led research studies supporting innovative care for patients in the Suncoast community. The event was made possible through the support of the Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation.
About the Kolschowsky Research and Education Institute
Located on the flagship SMH-Sarasota hospital campus, the Kolschowsky Research and Education Institute serves as a premier hub for medical research and clinical innovation. With dedicated space for research, clinical innovation and graduate medical education, the Institute provides a collaborative learning environment for physicians, nurses, researchers and students studying new treatments and mastering the latest tools and techniques in patient care. The Research division provides the knowledge, expertise, and framework essential to evaluate and manage investigational drug, device, registry, and biospecimen clinical trials across a wide spectrum of disease processes and specialties, including cardiology, infectious disease, gastroenterology, neurology, oncology, pulmonology, urology, vascular, and more. For information about clinical studies or participating in clinical trials, contact the Research division at (941) 917-2225 or click here.