SARASOTA, Fla. (Sept. 21, 2026) – Sarasota Memorial Health Care System President & Chief Executive Officer David Verinder has been named chair of the Safety Net Hospital Alliance of Florida, marking the second time he has been selected to lead the statewide organization representing Florida’s flagship safety net health systems.
Verinder will serve a two-year term on the 14-member board of directors, composed of CEOs from teaching, public, children's and regional perinatal intensive care hospitals. The Safety Net Hospital Alliance of Florida advocates for the state's safety net health care systems, which play a crucial role in caring for Florida's most vulnerable residents, providing essential and highly specialized medical services and training the next generation of physicians.
As chair, Verinder will help set the organization's strategic direction and work with its executive leadership and member health systems to advance state and federal policies and funding priorities that support access to high-quality care for Floridians. The safety net hospitals are public or not-for-profit, mission-driven facilities that put patients before profits and reinvest their earnings locally in health services, facilities, equipment, innovation and jobs. While they comprise only about 10% of Florida hospitals, they provide the lion's share of safety net care across the state.
"Florida's safety-net hospitals have a tremendous responsibility to ensure that people have access to the care they need, regardless of their circumstances," Verinder said. "I'm honored to once again serve as chair and work with hospital leaders across the state to strengthen that mission and ensure these vital health systems can continue meeting the needs of the communities they serve."
Verinder has served as President & CEO for Sarasota Memorial for the past 12 years, previously serving as its Chief Operating Officer (2010-2014) and Chief Financial Officer (2006-2010). During his 30-year career, he has served on numerous leadership and healthcare industry boards, including as past chairman of the Safety Net Hospital Alliance of Florida (2020-2022) and member of the Safety Net Hospital Alliance of Florida for the past 12 years.
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 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). The 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.