SARASOTA, Fla. (Aug. 19, 2027) – Sarasota Memorial Health Care System (SMH) has once again been recognized as one of the best employers in Florida, earning a spot on Forbes’ 2026 list of America’s Best-in-State Employers.
The recognition marks the seventh consecutive year Sarasota Memorial has made the prestigious list, underscoring the community-owned health system’s longstanding commitment to creating a workplace where employees feel valued, supported and empowered to succeed.
Compiled in partnership with market research firm Statista, the 8th annual Forbes ranking identifies employers that stand out in each state based on survey responses of more than 245,000 people working for U.S. companies with at least 500 employees. Participants evaluated their employers on factors that included wages and benefits, management, workplace culture, flexibility and opportunities for career advancement. Of 1,365 employers recognized nationwide, SMH was the second-highest rated healthcare organization in the state and #17 across all industries and Florida companies recognized.
As the Suncoast region’s largest employer and one of the nation’s largest public health systems, Sarasota Memorial has more than 11,000 employees in its growing network of hospitals, specialty care centers and outpatient services.
SMH CEO David Verinder said the recognition is especially meaningful because it reflects the experiences and opinions of employees.
"This recognition belongs to every member of our team and reflects the extraordinary skill, compassion and dedication they bring to their work and to the people who depend on us," he said. "They are our greatest strength, and the reason Sarasota Memorial is an exceptional place to work."
The Forbes honor is the latest in a series of national workplace awards for SMH. Earlier this month, Forbes ranked SMH the No. 1 employer for women in Florida. The health system also received Gallup's Exceptional Workplace Award in 2025 and has been repeatedly recognized by Newsweek and other independent organizations for workplace excellence.
For information about the Forbes recognition, 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 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 SMH First Physicians 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.