A Philanthropic Partner with Heart | Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation

By Kaileia Suvannamaccha | January 2025

Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation (SMHF) provides Sarasota Memorial Hospital (SMH) with critical resources for the development and delivery of world-class care. At the core of every initiative is a deep commitment to addressing Sarasota County’s growing healthcare needs, fostering innovation, and making care accessible to all.

Cancer Care Reimagined: Brian D. Jellison Cancer Institute

Under President Stacey Corley’s leadership, SMHF has achieved significant milestones, raising over $95 million for its cancer services campaign. For Corley, this accomplishment symbolizes more than just fundraising success. “That campaign was a long time coming,” she shares. “To achieve and exceed our goal faster than expected is testament to the generosity of this community and the importance of what we’re doing.”

This success paves the way for the Milman-Kover Cancer Pavilion on the SMH-Sarasota campus, set to open in 2026. The state-of-the-art facility will consolidate outpatient cancer services under one roof, enhancing access to comprehensive care. It will feature an expanded Breast Health Center, outpatient operating rooms, and services like chemotherapy, radiation oncology, and physician consultations. Corley describes it as a “one-stop shop for outpatient cancer needs,” emphasizing convenience for local patients and their families.

Advancing Research and Education: The Kolschowsky Research and Education Institute

Another significant project nearing the horizon is the Kolschowsky Research and Education Institute, described by Corley as “the new hub for game-changing clinical research and training programs,” scheduled to open in late spring 2025. 

“This facility promotes collaboration and innovation,” she explains. “It will help us attract top physicians and advance patient care through cutting-edge education and research.”

The institute will feature technologically advanced simulation labs for hands-on training in labor and delivery, operating room procedures, and emergency room care. It will also include spaces dedicated to nursing and pharmacy education, graduate medical programs, and a medical library designed to support ongoing learning. 

By consolidating research and training programs in one location, SMHF is ensuring that SMH remains at the forefront of medical innovation.

SMH’s Exceptional Rankings and Achievements

Corley also highlights the hospital’s outstanding rankings: “SMH is ranked in the top 1% in many categories, which is quite unusual for a community hospital. We’re a Magnet hospital for nursing, meaning we’re in the very top percent for nursing care. This distinction helps us recruit exceptional nurses who want to work in a place with high rankings for both nursing care and education. Our nursing staff is involved in cutting-edge clinical research, an opportunity not all hospitals can offer.”

SMH also has a five-star rating from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). “We’re the only hospital in Florida to have received the highest five-star rating every year. That’s a remarkable achievement.” The hospital’s commitment to patient safety is further evidenced by its consistently high ratings from LeapFrog. “SMH-Sarasota continued the straight A rating it has held since 2016. SMH-Venice earned its second A rating this fall after receiving an A grade in its first reporting period this spring.” 

Expanding Access to World-Class Care

As Sarasota’s population continues to grow, SMH rises to the challenge, expanding healthcare access across the region through various initiatives. 

The SMH Venice campus exemplifies this effort, having doubled its emergency room capacity and added 100 new beds. With its convenient location near the interstate, the campus ensures more residents can receive the care they need close to home. SMH is also planning the development of new medical campuses in Wellen Park and North Port. 

Sarasota’s rapid growth has made exceptional healthcare a key priority, with many residents citing SMH as a deciding factor in their decision to move or retire to the area. As a safety-net hospital, SMH serves all patients, regardless of their ability to pay—a mission made possible in part through SMHF’s philanthropic efforts and the generosity of donors.

“We live in an incredibly generous community. Many donors give out of gratitude for the exceptional care they or their loved ones received at Sarasota Memorial,” Corley shares. These gifts strengthen the health system by supporting vital resources like the Community Specialty Clinic, which provides care for uninsured or underinsured patients. “Philanthropy plays a critical role in ensuring this clinic stays open and accessible,” she adds.

The Gratitude and Generosity of SMHF’s Donors

Corley highlights that many gifts are rooted in transformative, life-changing experiences. “We love hearing stories about how someone’s life was saved here or how we made a difference for their family. Many donors want to ensure that other families have access to the same high-quality care they experienced.”

Reflecting on the holiday season, Corley shares, “People often don’t remember the gifts they receive, but they remember the gifts they give. And that’s how our donors feel. They get as much joy out of their giving as they would if they were the one receiving it. It’s certainly an act of joy and generosity, and it’s an honor for our team to work with such incredibly generous people every day.”

Donations, whether large or small, have a lasting impact. “Every gift counts,” Corley emphasizes. “Each donation helps improve lives, save lives, and elevates the quality of care for our patients.”

SMHF’s role has been especially crucial during times of crisis. During the pandemic, the Foundation funded essential items like PPE, ventilators, and rapid testing, while also providing financial support to SMH employees severely affected by hurricane damage. “Our donors stepped forward to support healthcare workers who leave their families to care for patients,” Corley notes. “It’s incredibly moving to see the community rally behind our healthcare workers.”

How to Help

For those looking to get involved, Stacey Corley emphasizes that there are many ways to contribute to the Foundation’s mission. “We offer a variety of opportunities to engage, from attending our signature events like The Hospital Gala, annual golf tournament, and Rock the Roof, to participating in the Women and Medicine educational luncheons,” she says. The next luncheon will take place in Venice this February and Sarasota in March, and Corley highlights the value of these educational gatherings: “I recently spoke with someone who attended last year’s luncheon and learned about lung cancer screening. They’re still sharing that knowledge today. The goal is for everyone to leave having learned something new.”

The Foundation also tailors its engagement efforts to individual donors, offering personalized tours and discussions to align contributions with areas of personal significance. “Whether it’s personal interest or a general desire to ensure excellent healthcare, we love working with people to make their giving meaningful,” says Corley. “SMH is a world-renowned, world-class health system. We feel like we’re making a big difference in the world.” 

With the continued support of  the community, SMHF is supporting a healthier future for the region, ensuring exceptional care for generations to come.

To learn more about how you can support Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation and contribute to its mission, please visit smhf.org.