SMH-Sarasota the only hospital in Florida recognized for delivering 5-star care every year for past decade
On Aug. 6, Sarasota Memorial Hospital received the federal government’s highest quality rating from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), “setting a 10-year benchmark for 5-star care in Florida and the nation,” the health care system has announced.
“Of more than 4,000 U.S. hospitals evaluated each year, SMH-Sarasota is the only hospital in Florida” — and among fewer than 20 nationwide — “to receive a 5-star rating every year since CMS began the overall hospital quality star ratings in 2016,” a news release points out.
“It is the only hospital in the Tampa Bay region to earn 5 stars this year,” the release adds.
David Verinder, CEO of Sarasota Memorial Health Care System, recognized the more than 2,500 physicians and 11,000-plus staff members “for their diligence and dedication this past decade, and throughout the hospital’s 100-year history,” the release continues.
“As SMH marks a century of service, we want to recognize the dedicated physicians, nurses and staff who have been providing outstanding care to our community since 1925,” Verinder said in the release. “The exceptional care they deliver year after year, and through the decades, demonstrates our deep roots and long-term investment in the health and well-being of our community.”
“The overall hospital quality star ratings summarize a variety of measures across five areas of quality into a single star rating for each hospital,” the release explains. “The five categories focus on mortality, safety, readmissions, patient experience, and timely and effective care,” the release adds.
“SMH-Venice, which opened in late 2021, received a 4-star rating,” the release notes. This is the second year SMH’s newest hospital has been eligible for review, the release points out.
For more information about the 2025 CMS star ratings, visit medicare.gov/care-compare.