Sarasota Memorial Health Care System celebrated two longtime physicians for their dedication and named new medical staff leaders for the coming year at both the SMH-Sarasota and SMH-Venice campuses.
John Abu, MD, took home the 2026 Lifetime Achievement Award, while Steven Halbreich, MD, earned the 2026 Physician of the Year honor. The hospital’s physician leadership committee, after gathering recommendations from their colleagues, recognized both doctors during the annual medical staff meeting on October 29.
Dr. Abu’s story at Sarasota Memorial stretches back nearly a quarter of a century. He trained at the Medical College of Ohio, then moved through internship and OB/GYN residency at Mount Sinai Medical Center before settling into Sarasota’s healthcare scene in 2003. Early in his career, Dr. Abu provided OB care at the Sarasota County Health Department, helping mothers and families during some of the most important, vulnerable times of their lives.
When the state began reducing public prenatal and OB services, Dr. Abu pivoted. He joined Sarasota Memorial’s OB hospitalist team in 2012 and helped build the hospital’s OB Emergency Care Center, making sure women had around-the-clock access to emergency care, labor and delivery. Starting in 2019, he also joined the First Physicians Group OB Hospitalist practice. Along the way, he’s taken on leadership roles: chairing the Obstetrical Department, serving on the Medical Executive Committee, and continuing to lead and provide direct care through the Pregnancy and Wellness Center and county health department.
During the ceremony, his friend and colleague of over 20 years, Dr. Washington Hill, described Dr. Abu’s approach to medicine: “True medical leadership is measured not only by clinical expertise, but by the lives we touch, the colleagues we inspire, and the needs we fill in our community. Dr. Abu’s leadership, compassion, and willingness to serve reflect the very best of our profession.”
This year’s Physician of the Year, Dr. Steven Halbreich, came to Sarasota Memorial in 2003 as well. He’s board-certified in general surgery, with a focus on laparoscopic and robotic surgery, along with traditional abdominal, breast, and soft tissue procedures. In 2015, he joined First Physicians Group’s general surgery practice, helping launch round-the-clock emergency surgical and trauma care. He has mentored both students and residents, served on several key hospital committees, led the General Surgery section, and now chairs the department’s Quality Improvement Committee. Dr. Halbreich trained at NYU for med school, then Mount Sinai for his internship and residency. Before joining First Physicians Group, he practiced for twelve years at Vascular and Surgery Associates in Sarasota.
Dr. James Fiorica, Sarasota Memorial’s Chief Medical Officer, summed up the leadership shown by both men: “Dr. Abu and Dr. Halbreich are outstanding clinicians. Their commitment to patients and to improving our hospital’s care has been remarkable.”
The hospital also announced new chiefs of staff for the coming year. Dr. Joel Baker, DO, will serve as Chief of Staff for the SMH-Sarasota campus, representing over 2,100 medical staff members and advanced practice providers. He steps in for Dr. Daniel Kaplon, whose one-year term just ended. Meanwhile, Dr. Daniel Murphy, MD, enters the second year of his two-year term as Chief of Staff at the SMH-Venice campus, representing over 1,300 medical staff and providers.
