Facility ranked No. 1 in Sarasota County and among best in the state in mid-size, 100- to 149-bed category
Sarasota Memorial Nursing & Rehabilitation Center was recognized among America’s Best Nursing Homes 2026 in national ratings released by Newsweek on Sept. 24, Sarasota Memorial Health (SMH) Care System staff announced.
“Newsweek partnered with respected global data research firm Statista to review data from more than 15,000 Medicare- or Medicaid-certified nursing homes across the nation,” a news release explains. “This year’s list recognizes the top 1,200 nursing homes that stood out for their commitment to safety, quality of care and resident well-being,” the release adds.
With rankings by facility size, the America’s Best Nursing Home – Florida list “spotlights Sarasota Memorial Nursing & Rehabilitation Center as the #1 nursing home in Sarasota County and among the best in the state, in the mid-size, 100- to 149-bed category,” the release points out.
“Whether the need is for day-to-day support, medical care or long-term recovery, finding the right facility can make a profound difference in health outcomes and overall quality of life,” Alexis Kayser, Newsweek’s health care editor, noted in the report. “We hope this ranking serves as a valuable tool in helping families make informed decisions about long-term care.”
“Located at 5640 Rand Blvd., Sarasota Memorial Nursing & Rehabilitation Center is a 120-bed facility that offers skilled nursing and rehabilitation care for people recovering from surgery, injury or illness,” the release explains. “Its multi-disciplinary team cares for approximately 100 residents around the clock, 365 days a year.”
The release also notes, “This year’s evaluation took into account CMS performance data for each nursing home that participates in Medicare or Medicaid, with an increased emphasis on clinical quality metrics.” It adds that nursing homes on the list “achieved high scores across key indicators,” including the following:
- Performance in regard to health inspections, staffing and quality measures.
- “Reputation/recommendations from peer experts on nursing homes offering the highest quality of care, staff training, and number of on-duty personnel.
- “Resident satisfaction and 5-star ratings from residents and family members.”
The release further points out that, along with being nationally ranked by Newsweek, “Sarasota Memorial’s Nursing and Rehabilitation Center has repeatedly been listed among the nation’s best by U.S. News & World Report and other independent quality rating organizations. Health systems and nursing facilities cannot opt out of these annual reviews or pay to be spotlighted on the lists.”
Maria DeCarlo, vice president of Sarasota Memorial Post-Acute and Rehabilitation Services, noted in the release that Sarasota Memorial’s Nursing & Rehabilitation Center “plays an essential part in the safety-net care SMH provides.”
DeCarlo was quoted as follows in the release: “As the region’s only community-owned health system, SMH is honored to be recognized for its team’s dedicated service and support through the years.” She added, “Whether our patients and residents are with us for short-term rehabilitation or a long-term stay, our priority is to deliver the highest quality care in a compassionate and healing environment.”
For information, referrals or questions about the Sarasota Memorial Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, call 941-917-4950 or visit smh.com/rehab.
For a complete list and more information about Newsweek’s America’s Best Nursing Homes rankings, visit
https://rankings.newsweek.com/americas-best-nursing-homes-2026