U.S. News’ Ranks Sarasota Memorial Among Nation’s 50 Best Hospitals for Specialty Services

SARASOTA (Aug. 1, 2023) – Today, U.S. News & World Report recognized Sarasota Memorial Hospital (SMH) among the nation’s top hospitals for 20 medical specialties, procedures and conditions, including two specialties ranked high enough to make the “50 Best Hospitals” list.

Of nearly 5,000 U.S. hospitals evaluated every year, SMH has repeatedly been recognized in the “50 Best Hospitals” for at least one medical specialty and rated among the nation’s top 10% for other high performing specialties, conditions and procedures. In the 2023-24 rankings and ratings, SMH-Sarasota is ranked #31 for specialized rehabilitation (rising from #35 last year) and #46 for obstetrics and gynecology care, a new national ranking this year.

SMH’s other “high performing” specialties this year include: Gastroenterology & Gastrointestinal Surgery; Geriatrics; Neurology & Neurosurgery; Orthopedics; and Urology. While the specialty rankings are meant for patients with life-threatening or rare conditions who need a hospital that excels in treating complex cases, U.S. News also rates hospital performance on more commonly performed procedures and conditions, such as hip replacement and heart failure. In addition to the broader specialty rankings and ratings, SMH-Sarasota received “high performing” ratings for 13 specific procedures and conditions.

“This year’s rankings and ratings from U.S. News are a tribute to the breadth, depth and quality of care Sarasota Memorial provides every day, from routine treatments and procedures to complex, rare and high-risk cases,” said David Verinder, CEO of Sarasota Memorial Health Care System. “The consistent, high performance of our hospital and care providers is something our health system and community can all take pride in.”

Hospitals that perform exceptionally well on multiple procedures and conditions also earn state and regional rankings from U.S. News. This year, SMH tied for the #5 spot in Florida, up from #6 last year, and maintained its longstanding record as the #1 hospital in the Bradenton-Sarasota-North Port metropolitan region.

Lorrie Liang, president of SMH-Sarasota, recognized the entire SMH team for their diligence and high-caliber care, and commended the oncology team for gains made in cancer care. Sarasota Memorial maintained its high performing rating for prostate, lung and colon cancer surgery, and this year also earned a high performing rating for the treatment of leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma.

“SMH’s high-performing status in oncology is a credit to our expanding Brian D. Jellison Cancer Institute and team of dedicated, highly skilled cancer specialists,” Liang said. “One of our most important priorities is to continue making targeted investments to ensure the Suncoast community has access to comprehensive, coordinated cancer care residents can count on.”

Now in its 34th year, the full list of U.S. News and World Report’s annual “Best Hospitals” rankings can be found by clicking here. 

About Sarasota Memorial Hospital

Sarasota Memorial Health Care System is a regional referral center offering Southwest Florida’s greatest breadth and depth of care, with more than 1 million patient visits each year across its 2 hospital campuses, free-standing ER, skilled nursing and rehabilitation center and network of outpatient and urgent care centers. Its flagship 901-bed Sarasota hospital has been consistently recognized as one of the nation’s best, with superior patient outcomes and comprehensive network of outpatient services. In November 2021, the public health system opened a second acute-care hospital, SMH-Venice, to serve the growing south Sarasota County region, and the Brian D. Jellison Cancer Institute to expand and improve cancer care in the community. For more information, visit smh.com.