Board updates & news
What the Sarasota County Public Hospital Board is doing, the honors Sarasota Memorial keeps earning, and the 2026 election record. A source on every item, updated as the board acts.
Board actionWUSF / WLRNAugust 28, 2026
The Florida Policy Institute projects Sarasota Memorial would lose $15.3 million in property-tax revenue in FY2027–28 and $28.1 million in FY2028–29 — about $43.4 million over three years — if voters approve Amendment 3 on November 3. Statewide, FPI estimates public hospital districts and health systems could lose $323 million.
Read at WUSF / WLRN→Hospital newsAugust 14, 2026
Sarasota Memorial Health Care System
434 babies were born at the Sarasota campus in July — the most in a single month at any SMH facility — and more than 3,000 so far in 2026. Sarasota Memorial remains the only hospital in Sarasota County providing obstetrics, maternity, high-risk pregnancy care, and a neonatal ICU.
2026 electionAugust 18, 2026
Sarasota County Supervisor of Elections
Final count, all 98 precincts reporting: Brad Baker 55,557 votes (62.75%), Bill Woeltjen 32,978 (37.25%). Brad led in every way Sarasota voted — Election Day, early voting, and vote-by-mail.
2026 electionThe ObserverAugust 18, 2026
2026 electionWSLR NewsAugust 18, 2026
Hospital newsSarasota Memorial Health Care SystemAugust 10, 2026
2026 electionThe Observer (Opinion)July 29, 2026
Decisions of the Sarasota County Public Hospital Board: budgets, borrowing, buildings, officers. Primary source first, coverage second.
Board actionWUSF / WLRNAugust 28, 2026
The Florida Policy Institute projects Sarasota Memorial would lose $15.3 million in property-tax revenue in FY2027–28 and $28.1 million in FY2028–29 — about $43.4 million over three years — if voters approve Amendment 3 on November 3. Statewide, FPI estimates public hospital districts and health systems could lose $323 million.
Read at WUSF / WLRN→Board actionFebruary 5, 2026
Becker's Hospital Review
Moody’s raised the hospital district to Aa3 from A1, citing a “track record of excellent performance” that will support strong liquidity through a period of high capital spending. A higher rating lowers what the District pays to borrow.
Board actionJanuary 30, 2026
Sarasota Memorial Health Care System
The Sarasota County Public Hospital Board voted to issue up to $425 million in revenue bonds in 2026 toward more than $1 billion in capital projects: the $507 million SMH-North Port hospital (100 beds at opening in 2028, shell space for 208), an $82.5 million Venice rehabilitation pavilion, and $50 million-plus in radiology upgrades. Moody’s upgraded the District to Aa3; Fitch reaffirmed AA-.
Board actionNovember 19, 2025
Sarasota Memorial Health Care System
The board named its officers for 2026: Kevin Cooper (At-Large Seat 2) as chair, with Brad Baker continuing as Treasurer. The unpaid board sets the health system’s strategic direction and serves as steward of its financial resources.
Board actionJanuary 29, 2025
Florida Hospital News
The Sarasota County Public Hospital Board approved a $450 million plan for North Port’s first hospital: a six-story, 100-bed facility on a 32-acre District-owned parcel on North Sumter Boulevard near I-75 — the health system’s third acute-care hospital.
Independent ratings and milestones for Sarasota Memorial, the public system this board oversees.
Hospital newsSarasota Memorial Health Care SystemAugust 14, 2026
434 babies were born at the Sarasota campus in July — the most in a single month at any SMH facility — and more than 3,000 so far in 2026. Sarasota Memorial remains the only hospital in Sarasota County providing obstetrics, maternity, high-risk pregnancy care, and a neonatal ICU.
Read at Sarasota Memorial Health Care System→Hospital newsAugust 10, 2026
Sarasota Memorial Health Care System
Forbes’ “America’s Best Employers for Women 2026” ranks SMH first among employers headquartered in Florida, #28 of 700 nationally, and #8 among healthcare organizations. Women make up 75% of the system’s 11,000-plus employees and 73% of its leadership.
Hospital newsJuly 8, 2026
Sarasota Herald-Tribune
SMH's 2026 Community Report: 15 Top Health Systems (Modern Healthcare), the only Florida hospital with CMS 5 stars every year since 2016, $507M North Port hospital underway, and Venice capacity doubled.
Hospital newsMay 14, 2026
Florida Hospital News
SMH-Sarasota earns CMS 5 stars for the 11th straight year — still the only Florida hospital, and one of just 12 nationwide, with a perfect record since 2016 — while SMH-Venice earns its first 5-star rating, making them the Suncoast's only 5-star hospitals.
Hospital newsDecember 29, 2025
Becker's Hospital Review (via SMH)
Becker's names Sarasota Memorial one of 100 standout U.S. hospitals for clinical performance, safety, and innovation.
Hospital newsDecember 9, 2025
Forbes (via SMH)
Forbes' inaugural Top Hospitals list: SMH-Sarasota in the 90th percentile with a 5-star overall rating; SMH-Venice 5 stars for patient experience.
Hospital newsJuly 29, 2025
U.S. News & World Report (via SMH)
U.S. News ranks SMH #46 nationally in OB/GYN and a top performer in 22 specialties and procedures — the Suncoast's only hospital ever to make the Best Hospitals list.
Hospital newsJuly 16, 2024
PR Newswire
SMH ranked #29 nationally in rehabilitation and a high performer across 23 specialties and conditions.
The record of the Northern District Seat 1 race, from qualifying to the final count.
2026 electionSarasota County Supervisor of ElectionsAugust 18, 2026
Final count, all 98 precincts reporting: Brad Baker 55,557 votes (62.75%), Bill Woeltjen 32,978 (37.25%). Brad led in every way Sarasota voted — Election Day, early voting, and vote-by-mail.
Read at Sarasota County Supervisor of Elections→2026 electionAugust 18, 2026
The Observer
Election-night tally with 98 of 98 precincts in — Hospital Board, Northern District Seat 1: Brad Baker 62.77%, Bill Woeltjen 37.23%. “Winner takes office”: the seat was settled outright in the primary, with no November runoff.
2026 electionAugust 18, 2026
WSLR News
WSLR’s countywide wrap-up: “The only hospital board race in this cycle saw incumbent Brad Baker coast to a comfortable win with 63% against challenger Bill Woeltjen.”
2026 electionJuly 29, 2026
The Observer (Opinion)
The Observer's 2026 endorsement editorial: “Baker, a longtime, successful Sarasota entrepreneur with operational and finance experience, has performed well and serves an important role as an independent board member… We recommend: Brad Baker.”
2026 electionJune 23, 2026
The Observer
Brad answers the Observer's candidate questions: why he ran, his priorities — finishing the North Port hospital, the Epic software conversion, CEO-compensation governance — and why the hospital is absolutely not for sale.
2026 electionJune 20, 2026
WSLR News
With the “medical freedom” slates of 2022 and 2024 gone from the ballot, Northern District Seat 1 became the only contested hospital board race of 2026: incumbent Brad Baker against former SMH chief financial officer Bill Woeltjen. Both candidates told WSLR that Sarasota Memorial must stay public.
2026 electionJune 14, 2026
Florida Politics
Qualifying closes for the Aug. 18 primary. Three Sarasota Memorial Hospital Board candidates won their seats without opposition, while Northern District Seat 1 drew a contest: incumbent Brad Baker vs. Bill Woeltjen.
2026 electionReference
Ballotpedia
Ballotpedia's record of the 2026 Sarasota County Public Hospital District Board, Northern District Seat 1 race.
Hospital newsReference
U.S. News & World Report
Current U.S. News profile: #1 in Sarasota-Bradenton, Best Regional Hospital.
Story art on this page is editorial illustration in one house style, not photography of the events described. Every headline links to the original source.
Box score
Since Brad Baker took office as Treasurer in 2022, Sarasota Memorial has been honored by every major independent rating body in American healthcare:
Strong books. Straight A’s. Zero shareholders. That’s what independent oversight delivers, and what Sarasota County voters chose to keep on August 18.
