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Economic Backbone: Hospitals
Under One Roof
Sarasota Memorial is building a $75-milion center for research and training.
Sarasota Memorial Health Care System is expanding clinical research, graduate medical education programs and is launching a new simulation center for hands-on training in a $75-million Research and Education Institute under construction.
The hospital’s education and training programs currently are located inside its facilities, but hospital officials say consolidating those programs will enhance interdisciplinary opportunities and create more space for bedside care. The five-story, 80,000-sq.-ft. facility is planned to open in 2025.
“Bringing together skilled physicians, clinical investigators and nurse educators, the new Research and Education Institute will centralize everything we do under one roof, providing our physicians, clinical staff, residents and fellows enhanced opportunities to work collaboratively in an innovative clinical education environment,” says David Verinder, Sarasota Memorial Health Care System’s president and CEO.
Sarasota Memorial Hospital has been expanding its research team and participation in clinical studies in recent years, which is helping the hospital system draw top-tier specialists, new treatments and technologies to the community, as well as attract interest from early-career medical professionals in its residencies and training programs. Sarasota Memorial Chief Medical Officer James Fiorica says the health system's research and education programs have tripled in size, with nearly 70 resident physicians and fellows completing residencies and training each year.
Earlier this year, the Sarasota Memorial Research Institute and the Florida State University College of Medicine held their first joint research conference, attracting more than 150 health care professionals to learn about innovative research projects and clinical studies.
Founded in 1925, the public health care system is the site of more than 1 million patient visits each year across its two hospital campuses, a freestanding ER, a skilled nursing and rehabilitation center, and a network of outpatient and urgent care centers. The hospital system includes the 901-bed Sarasota Memorial Hospital and SMHVenice, which opened in November 2021 to serve the growing south Sarasota County region, and the Brian D. Jellison Cancer Institute. — By Vickie Chachere
Lee Health's New Campus
The Lee Health Board of Directors approved a revised edition of a planned 52-acre medical campus in Fort Myers. The campus will include an acute care hospital with approximately 120 beds, a skilled nursing facility, specialty services, an emergency department and observation rooms. It also will feature 18 operating rooms as well as a medical office building. “Our area is one of the fastest-growing regions in the country, and this new campus will ensure that the Fort Myers community has access to quality health care for years to come,” says Lee Health President and CEO Larry Antonucci. — By Laura Lyon
Business Beat - Week of May 3rd
