SMH operates the only two hospitals delivering babies in Sarasota County
Sarasota Memorial Hospital (SMH) has been named among America’s “Best Hospitals for Maternity Care” for delivering high-quality, patient-centered care to mothers and newborns, SMH staff announced on March 24.
“The annual rankings by Money magazine highlight 75 top-performing hospitals demonstrating superior outcomes and patient-centered care,” a news release explains. “Hospitals that made the list are recognized for providing the best outcomes across a full range of maternity care, from low-risk births to complex maternal, fetal and newborn procedures, after a comparative review of approximately 4,000 facilities and thousands of data points,” the release adds.
“This recognition reflects the extraordinary dedication of our physicians, nurses and care teams who support families through one of life’s most important moments,” said Sarasota Memorial Chief Medical Officer Dr. James Fiorica in the release. “At Sarasota Memorial,” he continued in the release, “we are committed to providing a safe, compassionate and personalized experience for every mother and baby we serve.”
The release also points out, “Sarasota Memorial operates the only two hospitals delivering babies in Sarasota County. Its experienced, multidisciplinary team of obstetricians and obstetrical nurses, nurse midwives, maternal-fetal medicine specialists and neonatologists ensured the safe delivery and care of nearly 5,000 newborns in 2025.” It adds, “Sarasota Memorial’s Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit offers the highest level of care in the region for premature or critically ill newborns.” Among SMH’s other advanced services, the release says, are “a dedicated Obstetrical Emergency Care Center with 24/7 board-certified OB hospitalists, a dedicated inpatient unit and specialized services for high-risk pregnancies and multiples, and advanced resources through its affiliation with Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital.”
Further, the release notes, “Designed around a family-centered approach, SMH offers private birthing suites, a dedicated mother-baby unit that keeps moms and infants together, extensive breastfeeding support from certified lactation consultants, and a full range of prenatal education, postpartum services and ongoing support — ensuring mothers and babies receive safe, personalized care every step of the way.”