SMH Honors Milestone Work Anniversaries

April 19, 2023 – Sarasota

Sarasota Memorial Health Care System honored more than 700 employees celebrating milestone work anniversaries this year, including 123 longtime staffers achieving 20, 30, 40 and even 45 years of service.

With more than 9,000 employees, the community-owned health system is Sarasota County’s largest employer. It has been repeatedly recognized for creating a work environment and culture that fosters a team of committed, highly engaged staff.

“Our people are our most important resource, and we can’t thank them enough for their years of hard work,” 
said Sarasota Memorial CEO David Verinder, who recognized some of the longest serving employees at Monday’s Hospital Board meeting. “Their diligence, dedication and invaluable experience have helped Sarasota Memorial become the top-notch system it is today.”

OB/GYN perinatal sonographer Barbara Pittenger, who has served Sarasota Memorial patients for 45 years, was the guest of honor at the health system’s annual service anniversary celebration on April 11. The health system also recognized a group of five employees marking 40 years of service; 12 celebrating 35 years of service; 15 celebrating 30 years; 30 celebrating 25 years; 60 celebrating 20 years; 97 celebrating 15 years; 130 celebrating 10 years and 381 employees celebrating 5 years.

Affectionately known as Bip, Pittenger started working at SMH as an X-ray tech in 1977, and within a few years, completed training to become a perinatal sonographer, specializing in ultrasound exams for high-risk pregnancies. She eventually worked her way from the hospital’s radiology department to Sarasota Memorial’s First Physicians Group OB/GYN 
practice.

Colleagues and leaders shared many congratulatory comments, recognizing Bip for the skilled and compassionate care she gives to patients and for the support and insights she shares with teammates. One of her colleagues, OB/GYN Kathryn Gard, MD, was a medical student when the two first worked together at the OB/GYN practice. She later returned to the practice as a physician, where she continues to work closely with Bip.

“She had been taking care of patients and pregnant women since before I was born!” Dr. Gard said. “She is a true pioneer. Her depth of care both personally and professionally knows no bounds.”

It’s not often you see that kind of longevity and loyalty in today’s workplace, but it has been the norm at SMH. Sarasota Memorial’s longest-serving employee, Lenora “Nori” Yoder, was honored for 50 years at the service anniversary celebration last year. A lab tech in the microbiology department, she had postponed retirement to support SMH staff and the community through multiple surges of the pandemic, including the deadly Delta wave. At 47 years and counting, nurse Clara Rock, who was honored at last year’s celebration, is currently the longest serving employee still working at SMH.

“Sarasota Memorial’s unwavering focus on employee satisfaction and retention is key to the health system’s strong clinical outcomes, reputation and operational performance,” said Hospital Board Chair Tramm Hudson. During the physically and emotionally draining Delta wave, Hudson noted that staff still took time to praise SMH in a Gallup survey that summer. The results earned SMH an “Exceptional Workplace Award” – an award shared by only 41 organizations across the world. In announcing the 2022 award, Gallup commended SMH for its “resiliency, determination and commitment to making their people a priority during another unprecedented year.”