Sarasota Memorial board appoints Tramm Hudson to vacancy

After Richard Donegan, a six-year member with the Sarasota County Public Hospital Board, announced his retirement in February, the board has found his replacement. 

The board appointed Tramm Hudson, 62, to the board Monday. Hudson is a retired banker and has lived in Sarasota since 1986. He has worked with several community organizations and held positions, such as the chairman of the Sarasota Chamber of Commerce, chairman of the Out-of-Door Academy and as a board member of the Sarasota Family YMCA. In the political sphere, he's served three terms as the GOP chairman and was a delegate to three national conventions. 

He's also currently a member of the Hospital Board's Investment Committee. 

Hudson, serving in the At-Large Seat 2, will step onto a board with 8 other non-paid members until the position is filled by election in 2016. 

“I am honored to be selected to serve on the Hospital Board,” Hudson said in a press release. “The hospital plays a vital role in our community and our lives. I’ve lived here for nearly 30 years and have a deep personal connection to the hospital … my son was born here, my friends and family members have been cared for here. It is one of the reasons Sarasota is a such a great place to live and work. I look forward to adding my experience and perspective to assist this accomplished leadership group in navigating the challenges ahead for our hospital.”

Donegan decided to step down after 15 years of working with the hospital in various positions. 

“I’m going to be 89 soon and I figure after 15 years, I’m finally ready to slow down and enjoy a more leisurely retirement,” Donegan said in the release. “It’s been been a great run for me. The board, the physicians and the hospital staff are all first class … it’s been a very satisfying experience.”

He had served as chairman of the Human Resources Committee, a member of the Innovation Committee, and a member of the Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation's Board of Trustees. He was an advocate for advancing technology at SMH.