6/17/2022 12:38:00 PM Sarasota Memorial already expanding new hospital
Sarasota Memorial Hospital-Venice has operated at or near full capacity since opening November 11, 2021, pointing to the pressing healthcare needs in rapidly growing south Sarasota County communities. With higher than anticipated volumes from day one, SMH leaders immediately began plans to add a third patient care tower to the Venice campus. Pre-construction work is under way on the $113 million expansion, which will add 68 more private patient suites by early 2024, pending design and permitting approvals. Located at the intersection of Laurel Road and Pinebrook Road, the 110-bed hospital includes a 28-bed Emergency Care Center, eight surgical suites, dedicated labor, delivery, recovery, post-partum birthing suites, and a 22-bed pandemic-ready Intensive Care Unit. The 65-acre Laurel Road campus was designed to be flexible and expandable without impacting current operations. Bringing Sarasota Memorial’s extensive physician base farther south also will help build the medical staff and support plans for a future hospital in North Port. “Although the need to expand came sooner than anticipated, we are moving forward quickly so that we can care for our growing community now and for years to come,” SMH-Venice President Sharon Roush said.
