2011 was another notable year for Sarasota Memorial Health Care System. As the year winds down, here’s a look at some of the highlights of the past 12 months: January -CEO Gwen MacKenzie joins leaders from area hospitals and health departments in signing a proclamation committing their support to a campaign to address prescription drug [...]

Miss Part One? No worries, it’s right here! Now on to Part Two: The blood drive started at 10 a.m. And yes, I stalled for 20 good, long minutes and then announced to my office, “Ok! Wish me luck!” and headed over to the auditorium. I was surprised to find a wait for chairs already – [...]

To date, I’ve given blood 3 times. First in high school, where I can barely recall what happened but I obviously survived. The second time was a blood drive for the radio station I worked for back home in Virginia and there were some complications: blood was barely coming out. The nurse lifted up the [...]

Does your baby have his or her days and nights mixed up?  This is not uncommon and can be exhausting for parents.  There is no quick fix, but here are some tips that may be helpful: 1. Try to establish an atmosphere that clearly differentiates night from day. 2. Don’t worry about background noises such [...]

  Congratulations to our own Manny Camacho (Invasive Cardiology) who was a finalist in the World Championship for Tough Mudder this past weekend in NJ. Manny is pictured here with CEO Gwen MacKenzie and his “SMH Rocks” shirt he (obviously) wore in the competition. Way to go Manny!

Once a year, Sarasota Memorial singles out one special individual from 4,000 staff members as the organization’s EXCEL Employee of the Year. This year’s winner is Employee Health Nurse Specialist/EMT Michelle Perala, in the photo at left. An SMH staff member since 1986, “Michelle has an amazing talent and ability to connect with all employees [...]

Our very own Robert Brown, certified dietary manager, had his Parmesan crisp basket with goat cheese mousse printed in Scene Magazine this month. I’m sure when you think “hospital food” the next thing you think is, “no thanks!” But seriously, our food is actually really good. We even deliver food to patients in bowties! How [...]

The rendering of Sarasota Memorial’s new Courtyard Tower, displayed in the main hallway of the hospital, recently experienced a little “accident.” Health care team members quickly rallied and performed basic first aid as can be seen in the photo below. Not to worry, a bit of “reconstructive surgery” has been scheduled and soon the rendering [...]

Do you remember when you were little what your thoughts and feelings were about this time of year? As you got older did you experience the media and the retailers painting a picture of how wonderful it would be, just a perfect time, you know, a Norman Rockwell picture, a “Leave It To Beaver” family [...]