SMH Joins Drug Study to Reduce Dangerous Inflammation in COVID-19 Patients

Sarasota Memorial Hospital is one of more than a dozen research sites across the nation participating in the multi-center trial of IC14, an anti-CD14 monoclonal antibody drug that researchers hope will reduce dangerous levels of inflammation in COVID-19 patients. This week, SMH became the first U.S. site to enroll a patient in the phase 2 trial, called the COVID-19 anti-CD14 Treatment Trial (CaTT).

Thursday, April 15, 2021

COVID-19 Treatment Offered at SMH Shows Promising Results

A monoclonal antibody cocktail developed by Regeneron cut the risk of hospitalization and death by 70% when given to high-risk COVID-19 patients in a large clinical trial, the drug maker announced last week. SMH was among 27 sites participating in the trial.

Wednesday, March 31, 2021

2 New Physicians Join FPG Network

Sarasota Memorial is welcoming 2 new physicians to our First Physicians Group (FPG) network this month: Lindsey Finnegan, MD, board-certified in Internal Medicine and Pediatrics; and Steven Papuchis, DO, who's board-certified in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.

Monday, March 29, 2021

Local ENT Specialists Join SMH’s First Physicians Group

Sarasota Memorial Health Care System welcomed the ear, nose and throat specialists of the Silverstein Institute into its First Physician Group (FPG) network today, bringing the institute and all 4 of its locations under the FPG umbrella and within the Sarasota Memorial Health Care System, effective March 15, 2021.

Friday, March 12, 2021

Blue Cross & Blue Shield Contract Update

Negotiating reasonable administrative terms and fair reimbursement rates with insurance companies every few years is standard practice for medical providers. Although we are making progress in our talks with Blue Cross and Blue Shield (BCBS), SMH and its First Physicians Group (FPG) practices have not yet been able to finalize a contract renewal agreement with BCBS. However, SMH and BCBS have agreed to a contract extension through June 30, 2021, so they can continue working on outstanding issues.

Friday, March 5, 2021