In 1992, Michael Covert became the next president and CEO of Sarasota Memorial
Hospital, bringing a new vision and energies to lead the hospital into
the new millennium. Sarasota Memorial Hospital has evolved into an extensive,
integrated health care system under his direction. The Critical Care
Center opened in 1993, as one of the most technologically advanced centers
of its kind in the Southeast. Scores of nursing and allied health care
students study here. Services for women and children have been a particular
focus in recent years, with the addition of The Breast Health Center,
expanded perinatal and neonatal services, and an early intervention program
for infants and young children with developmental delays.
1997 the area of computerized medical records begins as CareVision records
software begins running on a patient care unit. It is the first of the
patient care application in the United States. It is also among the first
hospitals in the world to convert its imaging services to an electronic
digital format, increasing the speed and accuracy of results for physicians
and patients.
Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates nominates Sarasota Memorial for a Computerworld
Smithsonian Award, which recognizes the innovative use of information technology.
1998 Jo Mills Reis/Urgent Care Center opens to offer family friendly care
in an atmosphere less stressful than traditional Emergency Rooms.
In 1999 Sarasota Memorial becomes one of the first hospitals in the nation
to use a minimally invasive robot device, called Zeus, in heart surgery.
Sarasota Memorial is also the first hospital in Florida to use ASESOP robots
in laparascopic procedures. Sarasota Memorial is also one of the first
hospitals in the state to use Photodynamic nonthermal laser light to treat
esophageal cancer,
certain lung cancers and Barrett’s Esophagus under an FDA clinical
trial.
The year 2000 brought several exciting events! Duncan Finlay, M.D. was
named President and Chief Executive Officer. Dr. Finlay joined Sarasota
Memorial Hospital as a physician in 1972. In 1988, he was named chief of
staff. By 1996 he was appointed vice president for medical affairs and
chief medical officer continuing on in 2000 to become the hospital’s
CEO. November, 2000 marked Sarasota Memorial Hospital’s 75th anniversary.
SMH history from 2002 through 2008
In 2002, the hospital completes a renovation and expansion that triples the size of Radiology services.
Sarasota Memorial is honored with the Florida Governor’s Sterling Award for Performance Excellence. The award is modeled after the prestigious Malcolm Baldridge Award. Solucient names the Heart & Vascular Institute as one of the Top 100 Cardiovascular Hospitals.
Keeping vigilant in a post 9-11 world, Sarasota Memorial participates in a multiple-casualty disaster drill – the first of its kind in the region. From here forward, an exercise conducted on a regular basis to keep the hospital well prepared.
2003 brings the hospital its first four-year Magnet designation, the nursing profession’s highest honor. We win a Press Ganey story award, a national honor given to hospitals demonstrating exceptional customer service and outstanding dedication to quality care. Money Magazine names Sarasota Memorial one of the nation’s top hospitals for treatment of congestive heart failure and interventional cardiology procedures.
Dale Beachey retires as CFO after 34 years of service to Sarasota Memorial, while a new physician liaison program is developed to help improve customer service to area physicians, facilitate referrals, and develop new relationships with local doctors.
Sarasota Memorial is the first and only health care provider to offer digital mammography in Sarasota, Manatee and Charlotte Counties.
In 2004, US News & World Report names Sarasota Memorial one of America’s Best Hospitals in seven specialties: heart/heart surgery, orthopedics, digestive disorders, cancer care, urology, geriatrics, and Ear, Nose & Throat.
The hospital becomes one of a select few in Florida to offer Neurointerventional Radiology, a specialty to diagnose and treat disorders of the blood vessels of the spine, head and neck. Sarasota Memorial also adds a Bariatric surgery program, giving patients an innovative new surgical option for battling morbid obesity.
In the latter half of 2004, the hospital prepares for, and thankfully dodges the devastating effects of a record four hurricanes that hit Florida in one season.
2005 sees the retirement of CEO Duncan Finlay, MD. After 33 years with the hospital, Dr. Finlay leaves a legacy of excellence, relationship-building and unprecedented achievement for Sarasota Memorial.
Gwen MacKenzie, RN, MN, MHSA, is appointed president and CEO of Sarasota Memorial Health Care System. She formerly headed up the Detroit Medical Center, a nine-hospital, 2,000-bed, 13,000-employee non-profit health system in Michigan.
US News & World Report again names Sarasota Memorial one of America’s Best Hospitals in seven specialties. The hospital is accredited as a Primary Stroke Center by the Joint Commission, receiving its “Gold Seal of Approval” as a Neuroscience Center of Excellence. The American College of Surgeon’s Commission on Cancer gives its highest level of accreditation to our Institute for Cancer Care. And for the fourth consecutive year, Solucient names us a top 100 cardiovascular hospital.
Advancing the cause of medical research, Sarasota Memorial becomes one of the first non-academic hospitals in the nation to actively conduct clinical research in several specialties. The hospital also brings in FSU College of Medicine clinical training for 3rd and 4th year students.
The hospital opens a new, state-of-the-art Emergency Care Center (ECC) wing.
2006 puts newborns at the forefront with the arrival of a new Neonatal Intensive Care (NICU) Ambulance. As other hospitals close the door on labor and delivery services to save money, Sarasota Memorial is the only provider of obstetrical care in Sarasota County.
SAM joins the hospital as the ‘star’ of our new Patient Simulation Lab. The “Safety Advocate Module” is a realistic high-tech mannequin used for medical training.
Sarasota Memorial debuts its cutting edge cardiac catheterization suite and opens a new ECC triage area featuring a unique soothing design to promote healing.
Once again recognized by US News & World Report as one of America’s Best Hospitals, we are also named a CareScience™ Select Practice National Quality Leader. Only one percent of hospitals nationwide receive this honor for demonstrating superior clinical outcomes and exceptional efficiency in patient care.
In 2007 Advance for Nurses magazine rates us a top hospital in its first Reader’s Choice survey of Florida RNs.
We open our second Walk-In Medical Center in the Gulf Gate area, on US 41 just north of Stickney Point Road.
The Institute for Advanced Medicine opens, offering a multitude of outpatient services and a central location for the latest in the specialized field of neuroscience. The new facility also houses the hospital’s new dual-source high-definition CT scanner and Healthplex, the area’s first medically oriented fitness center.
Efforts to become more environmentally responsible are led by the newly organized hospital Green Team.
A long-range plan for major renovations to the main hospital campus begins with the demolition of the 1960s era Kennedy-White building.
Accolades this year include the 2007 VHA Leadership Award for Clinical Excellence, the American Stroke Association’s ‘Get with the Guidelines’ Stroke Silver Performance Achievement Award, and our fourth consecutive year rated by US News & World Report as one of America’s Best Hospitals.
Sarasota Memorial kicks off 2008 by kicking the habit, as it becomes a system-wide tobacco-free campus.
An ambitious 30-minute wait-time promise, expanded from the ECC to both Walk-In Centers, is proving successful with 95 percent compliance.
The hospital ramps up expansion plans with two groundbreaking ceremonies: one for its new freestanding Emergency Room in North Port, which will serve a growing south Sarasota County; the other serving northern Sarasota and East Manatee County with a new care center at Heritage Harbour. Both facilities will offer a wide array of outpatient services, providing residents with more choices for medical care.
At the Institute for Advanced Medicine, the Cardiac Disease Assessment Center opens, providing advanced testing to detect early warning signs of cardiovascular disease with the goal of preventing heart disease, the number one killer of Americans today.
Forbes.com names Sarasota Memorial as one of ‘America’s Safest Hospitals’ and again we make US News & World Report’s short list of ‘America’s Best Hospitals.” The hospital earns another prestigious four-year Magnet designation from the American Nurses Credential Center and for the 11th consecutive year, we are also named Consumer Choice Award Winner for the Sarasota-Bradenton-Venice metropolitan area by the National Research Corporation, an independent health care performance measurement company.
Work begins on the first phase of a multi-year, comprehensive renovation project, starting with the construction of a new central energy plant to replace the hospital’s 1960s-era facility. Plans also move forward on the construction of a bed tower to replace aging wings of the hospital.
Today, because of the guidance of past and present administrators and dedicated board members, the hospital has positioned itself to meet future, as well as current, health care needs of the Sarasota community. The values and commitment of its founders reflect in the respect Sarasota Memorial Hospital commands in the health care industry and echo through this enduring, vital partnership with our community. |
