Nationally, SMH ranked 28 among 700 employers recognized across all industries and 8 among health care organizations
The Sarasota Memorial Health Care System (SMH) has been named Florida’s top employer for women in Forbes’ America’s Best Employers for Women 2026, “earning the highest ranking of any employer headquartered in the state,” SMH announced this week.
In addition to claiming the top spot in Florida, Sarasota Memorial ranked No. 28 among 700 employers recognized across all industries and No. 8 among health care organizations, “underscoring the community-owned health system’s commitment to creating a workplace where women can build meaningful, rewarding careers,” a news release points out.
“Compiled annually by Forbes in partnership with market research firm Statista, the rankings are based on an independent survey of more than 146,000 women working for companies that employ at least 1,000 people in the United States,” the release adds.
The rankings also “incorporate more than 4 million employer evaluations collected over a three-year period,” the release says.
“Employers were evaluated on factors that matter most to women in the workplace,” the release continues. Those include the following, it notes:
- “Career ladders and advancement opportunities.
- “Pay equity and benefits.
- “Workplace culture and conditions.
- “Parental leave and family support.
- “Representation in leadership.
“Ultimately, the 700 companies with the highest scores made Forbes’ 2026 list,” the release explains.
“This recognition reflects the commitment of our entire organization to creating a workplace where every team member feels valued, respected and empowered to grow,” said Laurie Bennett, vice president of Human Resources at Sarasota Memorial, in the release. “Women play an essential role in every aspect of our health system — from patient care and research to leadership and innovation — and we are honored to be recognized for fostering an environment where they can thrive,” she added in the release.
“Sarasota Memorial’s workforce reflects that commitment,” the release says. “Women represent 75% of the health system’s more than 11,000 employees and 73% of its leadership positions across hospitals, physician practices, outpatient care centers and other facilities throughout the region,” the release notes. “One of Florida’s largest public health systems and Sarasota County’s largest employer, Sarasota Memorial invests in its workforce through competitive benefits, professional development, leadership training, wellness resources, onsite childcare and programs that support work-life balance,” the release says.
“The latest Forbes recognition adds to Sarasota Memorial’s longstanding reputation as an employer of choice,” the release points out. “In addition to past awards by Forbes, the health system earned Gallup’s prestigious Exceptional Workplace Award, recognizing organizations with world-class employee engagement and workplace culture,” the release adds.