JANUARY 8, 2025

The Healthcare Foundation hosted its 8th annual Hospital Gala at The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota on January 4, 2025, with 550 guests in attendance. Breaking its previous Gala record, the event raised over $1.5 million supporting greatest needs at SMH. The 1920s-themed event kicked off Sarasota Memorial Hospital’s (SMH) year-long 100th anniversary celebration.

“It was a memorable evening celebrating the 100th anniversary of Sarasota Memorial,” said Healthcare Foundation president Stacey Corley. “Philanthropy played a critical role in the creation of Sarasota Memorial’s first hospital in 1925 and throughout its 100-year history.  Thanks to the generosity of our community at this year’s Gala, the next hundred years of exceptional healthcare got off to a spectacular start.”

A highlight of the evening was a fascinating video recounting SMH’s 100 years of commitment to caring for our community. From humble beginnings as a 32-bed hospital with 12 physicians to an expansive health system with 1075 beds and 10,000 employees, Sarasota Memorial has grown to one of the largest and most respected health systems in the country.

“Sarasota Memorial has seen many changes over the last century, but some things remain the same: And that’s the support we’ve had from generous community members, and the dedication of the men and women who deliver world-class care to our patients every day,” said Sarasota Memorial Health Care System President and CEO David Verinder. “We are profoundly grateful for each and every one of you.”

The evening concluded with dancing and a live performance by C’Nergy. To learn about Sarasota Memorial’s remarkable 100-year history, read the ebook, “A Century of Caring” at https://www.smh.com/100, and watch the video below.

2025 Hospital Gala Lead Sponsors

Premier Sponsor: Jonathan and Michelle Mitchell/Glenn and Jackie Tilton; Helicopter Sponsors: Brian and Sheila Jellison Family Foundation, John and Pauline Groetelaars, and Sunset Automotive Group; Ambulance Sponsors: Ambitrans Ambulance, Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation, Flad, Deb Kabinoff Fund/Jon and Libby Soderberg Family Fund, Doug Holder Family Foundation, Robert and Anne Essner, Reinhart Foundation, Barbara and Gary Rodkin, Williams Parker, and Bob and Angelia Wood.

Learn more about our signature events.