Outgoing Chair Lodge saw numerous achievements during her two terms in that position
On Nov. 19, Kevin Cooper, a vice president with Mote Marine, became chair of the Sarasota County Public Hospital Board, which governs the Sarasota Memorial Health Care System (SMH), the health care system has announced.
Cooper represents the board’s at-large Seat 2, a news release says.
A “longtime business and civic leader,” Cooper “was elected to the Hospital Board in 2024,” the release notes. “He is vice president for communications and strategic initiatives at Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium and has been involved with multiple civic and community organizations,” the release continues.
“Previously, he served as a sergeant in the Ohio Army National Guard,” it adds. Cooper was deployed to Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom; he served as a convoy security operator “and received multiple awards and commendations, including the Army Commendation Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and Joint Meritorious Unit Award,” the release notes.
Cooper earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration from Kent State University and his master’s degree in business administration from Florida State University, the release continues.
A father of two children born at SMH, he has been a resident of Sarasota since 2008, it adds.
Cooper succeeds Sarah Lodge, who served as board chair for 2024 and 2025 and will continue to represent the Central District’s Seat 1 on the board, the release points out. “Lodge’s two terms as chair included many health system accomplishments and growth initiatives, including the opening of the SMH Freestanding ER at Lakewood Ranch and the Kolschowsky Research and Education Institute, the expansion of SMH-Venice, the groundbreaking of the new SMH-North Port campus, and Sarasota Memorial’s celebration of its 100 years of service,” the release notes. “The health system also continued to earn national recognition for quality and safety,” the release adds. For example, it says, “SMH-Sarasota remains one of only 17 hospitals in the nation and the only hospital in Florida to repeatedly earn 5 stars from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services for overall quality in every reporting period since the federal rating program began in 2016.”
“We greatly appreciate Sarah’s leadership over the past two years and look forward to her input and expertise as she continues to serve on the governing body,” said Sarasota Memorial Health Care System CEO David Verinder in the release.
“Made up of nine citizens elected by Sarasota County voters to four-year terms,” the unpaid board is charged with setting the strategic direction of the organization as its members serve “as good stewards of its financial resources,” the release points out.
In addition to Cooper, the board officers for 2026 are as follows:
- First Vice Chair Sharon Wetzler DePeters, APRN (advanced practice registered nurse).
- Second Vice Chair Patricia Maraia, BSN (bachelor of science in nursing), RN (registered nurse).
- Secretary Pam Beitlich, DNP (doctor of nursing practice), APRN, RN.
- Assistant Secretary Greg Carter.
- Treasurer Brad Baker.
- Assistant Treasurer Victor Rohe.
Other members: Bridgette Fiorucci, BSN, RN; and Sarah Lodge.