Sarasota County Public Hospital Board
Videos of the monthly Sarasota County Public Hospital Board meetings are posted on our YouTube channel. The board meetings also are aired on a space-available basis on the local access TV station. Check the Access Sarasota Television Schedule for air times.
Contact
Karen Marshall, Assistant to the Board
Sarasota County Public Hospital Board
941-917-1711
Karen-Marshall@smh.com
Mailing address: 1700 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota FL 34239
Sarah Lodge, Chair
Region: Central District - Seat 1
Term Ends: 2028
A certified financial planner and first vice president for RBC Wealth Management in Sarasota, Sarah Lodge has extensive experience in long-term strategic planning and financial problem-solving. She holds a bachelor’s degree in health science from the University of Florida and is well-known in our community for her volunteer and civic contributions. She is the current president of the Rotary Club of Sarasota Foundation, has served in leadership roles for other local civic organizations and was named the 2019 Rotarian of the Year by the Rotary Club of Sarasota. She has worked closely with the Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation in its efforts to support critical hospital services and programs.
Sharon Wetzler DePeters, APRN, First Vice Chair
Region: At Large - Seat 1
Term Ends: 2028
Sharon Wetzler DePeters is an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) and a longtime nursing educator and leader. She recently retired after 12 years as an Associate Professor at the State College of Florida Manatee – Sarasota in the Associate Science in Nursing Program. Currently working as a research coordinator at the Cardiovascular Center of Sarasota, she also has been a long-time volunteer with the Medical Reserve Corps of Sarasota. She spent 21 years as a commissioned officer in the U.S. Air Force Reserve, retiring as Major, and was stationed at Andrews Air Force Base, where she served in the OR, Post Anesthesia Recovery Unit and ICU. She also served in the Surgical ICU at the VA Medical Center in Buffalo, N.Y. She received her Bachelor of Nursing and Master of Nursing degrees at the State University of New York at Buffalo.
Bridgette Fiorucci, BSN, RN, Second Vice Chair
Regions: Central District - Seat 2
Term Ends: 2026
Bridgette Fiorucci has been an RN since 1995, most recently in Sarasota Memorial Hospital’s Emergency Care Center, specializing in Sexual Assault Nursing Exams. Over the years, she has worked for a number of other health care organizations, including large university hospitals such as Loyola University Medical Center and Detroit Medical Center, serving in almost every department, from the Emergency Room to the Intensive Care Unit.
Patricia Maraia, BSN, RN, Secretary
Region: Southern District - Seat 1
Term Ends: 2026
Patricia Maraia has more than 33 years of nursing experience, including working as a medical-surgical nurse at the Long Island Jewish Medical Center, which is connected to the Albert Einstein College of Medicine.
Victor Rohe, Assistant Secretary
Region: Northern District - Seat 2
Term Ends: 2026
Victor Rohe has had an eclectic career encompassing a wide range of administrative, financial and investigative positions, including serving as a stock broker/financial consultant with the investment firm of Smith Barney; broker/owner of Century 21 At Your Service Realty, a firm of 24 agents and a commercial sales division; and mortgage originator with Island Mortgage Network. He also was employed as an insurance subrogation specialist, which involved investigating disputes between insurance companies regarding claims and evaluating liability in view of the laws in all 50 states. Previously, he was lieutenant/operations coordinator with the New York City Police Department, effectively serving as second-in-command of the busiest police precinct in New York City (which had more homicides than the city of Boston or the nation of England), including a staff of more than 500 officers and civilian personnel. He has resided in Sarasota County since 1997 and has held board-level offices in numerous community associations and political organizations.
Kevin Cooper, Treasurer
Region: At Large - Seat 2
Term Ends: 2028
Longtime business and civic leader Kevin Cooper currently is vice president for communications and strategic initiatives at Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium and has been involved with multiple community and business organizations. Previously, he served as a sergeant in the Ohio Army National Guard. He was deployed to Iraq and served as a convoy security operator during Operation Iraqi Freedom and received multiple awards and commendations, including the Army Commendation Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and Joint Meritorious Unit Award. He earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration from Kent State University and master’s degree in business administration from Florida State University. A father of two children born at SMH, he has been a resident of Sarasota since 2008.
Pam Beitlich, DNP, APRN, RN, NEA-BC, Assistant Treasurer
Region: At Large - Seat 3
Term Ends: 2028
Pam Beitlich retired from Sarasota Memorial in 2024 following a long and distinguished career. She first joined the hospital in 1981 as a cardiac staff nurse, and progressed through leadership over the years to become executive director of Women and Children’s Services, overseeing Labor & Delivery, the Mother-Baby Unit, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and Pediatrics. She also was responsible for the OB Emergency Care Center, SMH’s affiliation with Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital and community childbirth education and outreach programs. With three children born at SMH, she experienced her team’s excellent care firsthand. An Advanced Practice Registered Nurse, she earned her bachelor’s degree in nursing from Goshen College, master’s degree in nursing from the University of South Florida and doctorate in Nursing Practice/Healthcare Leadership from Florida State University. She currently serves as president of the Florida Organization for Nursing Leadership.
Brad Baker, Member
Region: Northern District - Seat 1
Term Ends: 2026
Brad Baker is a leader and strategist who has successfully guided several companies through explosive growth. He has taken several companies public in the sectors of technology, ocean exploration and the internet. He also is a LEED-certified commercial contractor and Realtor. In 1988, President Ronald Reagan appointed him as a White House Fellow. While in Washington, D.C., he served as domestic review officer at the U.S. Treasury Department, acting executive secretary of the U.S. Treasury, and secretary of the RTC Corporation. Florida Gov. Jeb Bush later appointed him as executive director of the Florida Housing Finance Corporation, and Gov. Rick Scott nominated him to serve as a trustee of New College of Florida. He has served on many local, state and national boards, including the Advisory Board for the Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport and the governing board of Aviation Accreditation Board International, the accrediting body for collegiate aviation.
While attending Pine View School in Sarasota, he served as an intern at Sarasota Memorial Hospital. He later was appointed to the organization’s Healthcare Resources, Inc. Board.
Gregory Carter, Member
Region: Southern District - Seat 2
Term Ends: 2026
An employee of AT&T's Engineering Department for 31 years, Greg Carter served as project manager, coordinating all aspects of construction for the corporation's network facilities for the state of Virginia and working as a liaison between the company and vendors, consultants and project personnel. Currently the owner/operator of a general home repair business, he also served in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.