WINTER 2024

At Sarasota Memorial, the Kolschowsky Research and Education Institute is rapidly taking shape as a monumental stride in healthcare innovation. With its cornerstone laid by a generous $25 million donation from the Gerald A. and Karen A. Kolschowsky Foundation, the Institute is more than an architectural feat—it’s a future hub for medical breakthroughs and learning. Anticipated to open in mid- to late 2025, the Kolschowsky Institute is already creating ripples of excitement in the community.

The Kolschowsky Institute’s impact will be transformative, says Director of Research Tamela Fonseca, Ph.D., RN. “This isn’t just a new building; it’s a melting pot of ideas and expertise. Our current landscape has our research and education divisions spread out, hindering spontaneous collaboration. This new Institute changes the game completely, providing a centralized space for innovative minds to converge and create,” she shares with enthusiasm.

“Imagine a place where research and education are not just adjacent activities but deeply intertwined,” says Chief Academic Officer Wilhelmine Wiese-Rometsch, M.D. “We’re crafting an environment where cutting-edge treatments and healthcare solutions are born from the joint efforts of those we train here. This is about fostering real, tangible interprofessional collaboration.”

The Kolschowsky Institute promises more than just state-of-the-art facilities; it’s poised to become an incubator for healthcare visionaries. “We’re building more than classrooms and labs; we’re building futures. We’re creating an empowering space where ideas can flourish and innovation can thrive,” Wiese-Rometsch elaborates. “Our collaboration with Florida State University and other academic partners is instrumental in this vision, attracting and nurturing the finest medical talents right here in Sarasota.”

Addressing both local and global healthcare challenges lies at the heart of the Institute’s mission. “Our strategy is community focused,” she explains. “We’re bridging gaps in local healthcare, while also contributing significantly to worldwide medical advancements through our research.”

Fonseca sheds light on the Institute’s forward-looking aspirations, emphasizing its role in shaping the future of medical practice. The Institute’s mission goes beyond mere education of healthcare professionals; it is about actively molding the future of medicine. This ambitious vision involves a continuous process of expansion and evolution, ensuring that their programs remain in step with the dynamic needs of both the local community and the wider healthcare landscape.

Emphasizing the critical role of community engagement and philanthropic support, Fonseca notes, “Such support isn’t just about funding; it’s about believing in and fueling our mission. It’s this support that allows us to push the boundaries of education and research in healthcare.”

The Kolschowsky Research and Education Institute at SMH stands as a testament to the unique approach of SMH as a community hospital deeply invested in the growth of research and education. As it approaches its opening in 2025, the Institute is poised to revolutionize patient care and medical excellence, embodying SMH’s commitment to innovation and quality in both local and global healthcare arenas.

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