Hospital looks to future with new partnership

January marks the beginning of a big shift in back-office operations at Sarasota Memorial Hospital.

The nonprofit community hospital, one of the largest in the Sarasota-Bradenton region, recently signed a five-year strategic alliance with Clearwater-based BayCare Health System. The agreement calls for BayCare to use its leverage to help SMH with buying supplies and negotiating contracts. Most of the changes, says an SMH spokeswoman, will take place behind the scenes, with no transfer of assets or changes that affect patients or physician referrals.

The agreement, further, isn't a sale, lease or merger, says Sarasota County Public Hospital Board Chairman Dick Merritt. The 806-bed hospital, with a $500 million operating budget, will remain an independent public medical facility governed by its nine-member elected board.

“Sarasota Memorial is a valuable community asset, and this alliance will help ensure it stays exactly that,” Merritt says in a release. “We are not changing hands or the way we are governed — Sarasota Memorial will continue to operate for the benefit of Sarasota County citizens and remain committed to serving our community's needs.” 

Still, the agreement is an indication SMH officials recognize the health care industry is going through seismic changes. “Although we're very strong now,” says Merritt, “we have to look down the road five and 10 years from now.”

BayCare operates 10 hospitals on the Gulf Coast. The list includes Mease Countryside, Mease Dunedin, Morton Plant and the St. Joseph's system.