SMH breaks ground on research and education institute

Sarasota Memorial Health Care System has broken ground on a $75 million Research and Education Institute. Designed to promote collaboration, discovery and innovation in medical education and research, the five-story, 80,000 square-foot facility will house SMH’s expanding clinical research division, clinical and graduate medical education programs, medical library and a new simulation center designed for hands-on training.

With Florida State University as its academic partner, SMH provides residency and fellowship training programs that help attract and retain physicians locally. SMH also collaborates with nursing education programs throughout the region. 

Nearly half the residents have stayed on at SMH after completing their training, while nearly 70% remained in Florida.

“Bringing together skilled physicians, clinical investigators and nurse educators, the new Research and Education Institute will centralize everything we do under one roof, providing our physicians, clinical staff, residents and fellows enhanced opportunities to work collaboratively in an innovative clinical education environment,” said SMH President and CEO David Verinder in a news release.

Currently, SMH's education and training programs are housed in the hospital. Consolidating those programs into the adjacent facility will enhance interdisciplinary opportunities, while creating more clinical space at SMH for bedside care. Slated to open in 2025, the research facility is being built at the intersection of Arlington Street and Laurent Place, the site of the former Doctors Gardens medical office building. The 1950s-era building was demolished last year to make room for the new facility and a parking garage for about 300 vehicles.

SMH Chief Medical Officer James Fiorica said the health system’s clinical research and education programs have tripled in size in recent years, with nearly 70 resident physicians and fellows completing residency and fellowship training each year and more than 50 active research studies under way. 

“We are so proud of the strides Sarasota Memorial has made in clinical research and education in recent years,” said Fiorica in the release. “Our teaching hospital is ranked among the best in Florida, and top 40 in the nation. That recognition helps attract exceptional physicians to the region and provide highly specialized care in our community.”