SARASOTA, Fla. – (Oct. 10, 2024) – Sarasota Memorial Health Care System stood strong through Hurricane Milton, sheltering and supporting well over 4,700 patients, medical evacuees, physicians, staff and their families as the major hurricane made landfall in Sarasota and swept across the southwest Florida region.
Sarasota Memorial’s 897-bed hospital in Sarasota, 178-bed hospital in Venice, freestanding Emergency Care Center in North Port and skilled nursing facility remained fully functional on backup generator power throughout the storm, with staff and physicians on the hospital’s Hurricane Response team sheltering in place for approximately 72 hours to care for patients and medical evacuees brought to SMH by local emergency management officials before and during the storm.
"We couldn't be prouder of our team. They left their homes and many left their families to be here for our patients and community during one of the most threatening hurricanes approaching the Suncoast," said David Verinder, CEO of Sarasota Memorial Health Care System. "They helped provide care and support for an influx of patients before and after the storm as hospitals around us evacuated and closed or partially closed due to flood risks and damage from the storm.”
SMH-Sarasota and SMH-Venice were among the few hospitals in the region that remained fully operational during the storm. As a result, patient volumes were very high and both hospitals reached full capacity. The medical staff and nursing team expertly and efficiently managed the safe placement and care of everyone. Several hospitals in other parts of the state stepped up to take in a number of patients. Senior leaders also closely coordinated with local and state emergency officials.
Once the storm passed, the health system’s facilities and public safety teams conducted a thorough assessment of all areas of the system for potential wind and water damage and utility and IT outages. SMH facilities fared well, despite heavy winds, rain and surges nearby. SMH activated contingency plans to address low water pressure from municipal utilities and began opening its urgent care centers and network of outpatient diagnostic lab/imaging centers and physician offices within a day or two as electricity, water and utility services were restored throughout the community.
About Sarasota Memorial Health Care System
Founded in 1925, Sarasota Memorial Health Care System is a regional medical center offering Southwest Florida’s greatest breadth and depth of care, with nearly 2 million patient visits across its two hospital campuses, freestanding ER, inpatient rehabilitation facility, skilled nursing center and network of outpatient and urgent care centers each year. The health system is Sarasota County’s largest employer, with approximately 10,000 employees, and serves as a healthcare safety net as the region’s only community-owned, public health system. Visit smh.com for information.