U.S. News “Best Hospitals” Report Ranks SMH Among Best in State, #1 in Sarasota-Manatee Region

SARASOTA, Fla. (Aug. 4, 2026) - Sarasota Memorial Health Care System (SMH) has again been recognized among the nation's standout hospitals, earning national recognition in nearly 20 different conditions and procedures in U.S. News & World Report's 2026-2027 "Best Hospitals" report.

The annual study ranks Sarasota Memorial as one of the best hospitals in Florida and #1 in the Sarasota-Manatee metropolitan area, continuing its longstanding position as the region's highest-ranked health system.

Each year, U.S. News evaluates nearly 5,000 hospitals nationwide, recognizing those that deliver exceptional patient outcomes, clinical quality and safety. In addition to its Best 50 lists, U.S. News also ranks Best Regional Hospitals that rank nationally in at least one specialty or that earn at least eight "high performing" ratings in a range of common and complex conditions and procedures.

SMH-Sarasota earned 17 "high performing" ratings for, among other areas, rehabilitation, cancer, cardiac, orthopedic and stroke care, while SMH-Venice earned recognition for cardiac, orthopedic and diabetes care. Home to the Brian D. Jellison Cancer Institute, the Sarasota hospital's cancer team was spotlighted for colon, gynecologic, lung and prostate cancer surgery, as well as for the treatment of leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma. SMH's complete list of ratings are copied below.

"This recognition reflects the extraordinary commitment of our physicians, nurses, staff and leaders to providing exceptional care every day," said David Verinder, CEO of Sarasota Memorial Health Care System. "By continually investing in quality, safety and innovation, we are ensuring that people throughout our region have access to nationally recognized care close to home."

According to U.S. News, the annual report is designed to help patients, families and their physicians identify hospitals that deliver the highest quality care for complex conditions and procedures in their states and communities. This year's report spotlights both SMH-Sarasota and SMH-Venice among the nation's high performers across the following complex conditions and procedures:

Sarasota Memorial Hospital-Sarasota

Ranked #1 in Bradenton-Sarasota metropolitan region and among best in Florida
Rated high performing in the following 17 complex conditions/procedures:

Cardiac Care

• Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair
• Aortic Valve Surgery
• Heart Arrhythmia
• Heart Attack
• Heart Bypass Surgery
• Pacemaker Implantation
• Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR)

Cancer Care

• Colon Cancer Surgery
• Gynecologic Cancer Surgery
• Leukemia, Lymphoma & Myeloma
• Lung Cancer Surgery
• Prostate Cancer Surgery

Orthopedic Care

• Back Surgery
• Hip Replacement
• Knee Replacement

Other Specialized Care

Sarasota Memorial Hospital - Venice

Rated high performing in the following 4 complex conditions/procedures:

• Diabetes
• Heart Attack
• Hip Fractures
• Hip Replacement

The full list of U.S. News' "Best Hospitals" rankings and ratings is available at: www.usnews.com/best-hospitals

About Sarasota Memorial Health Care System

Sarasota Memorial Health Care System is a regional medical center offering Southwest Florida's greatest breadth and depth of care, with about 2,500 physicians and advanced practice providers, 11,000 employees and 2 million patient visits a year across its network of care. Sarasota County's largest employer, the community-owned health system includes two full-service hospitals in Sarasota and Venice (and third under construction in North Port), freestanding ERs in North Port and Lakewood Ranch, a rehabilitation hospital, skilled nursing facility (also repeatedly ranked as a Best Nursing Home for short- and long-term rehabilitative care by U.S. News) and comprehensive network of outpatient centers, urgent care clinics and SMH First Physicians Group primary and specialty care practices. Founded in 1925, SMH's flagship Sarasota campus also is home to the Brian D. Jellison Cancer Institute, Cornell Behavioral Health Pavilion and Kolschowsky Research and Education Institute. Both Sarasota Memorial Hospital-Sarasota and Sarasota Memorial Hospital-Venice have earned the highest 5-Star quality ratings from the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). SMH-Sarasota is the only Florida hospital - and one of just 11 in the nation - to earn a perfect 5-Star rating from CMS every year since the federal rating program began in 2016.