SARASOTA, Fla. (July 25, 2025) –Sarasota Memorial Health Care System is saddened to announce the passing of one of its own: G. Duncan Finlay, MD, a prominent physician leader at SMH for decades and former CEO, died today at age 85.
Dr. Finlay passed away at SMH’s Rehabilitation Pavilion, surrounded by the care of the dedicated staff at the institution he had led with vision, expertise and compassion.
“Dr. Finlay was a brilliant star in our health system and community for more than three decades,” Sarasota Memorial CEO David Verinder said. “He was a wonderful mentor and friend to so many of us. We owe him an enormous debt of gratitude for the major role he played in SMH’s history.”
Dr. Finlay took the health system’s top post in 2000, at a time when SMH had gone through a period of turmoil and change. During his tenure as CEO, Dr. Finlay led SMH to new levels of achievement, with the organization earning numerous quality awards, including the prestigious Governor’s Sterling Award for organizational performance in 2001, the hospital’s first Magnet Nursing Designation (the nation’s highest honor for nursing excellence) in 2003 and its first recognition by U.S. News & World Report as one of America’s Best Hospitals.
Dr. Finlay was a tireless champion of medical advances and innovative technology. Indeed, Microsoft named SMH “Hospital of the Year” in 2004 for its early efforts to adopt electronic health records and computerized physician order entry, and SMH was among the first hospitals to begin pioneering robotic surgery. He also spearheaded the growth of SMH’s outpatient network and specialty programs, including community outreach, education and health screening programs that focused on improving care for medically vulnerable populations.
But what he may be remembered most for was the time and energy he invested in building relationships and raising the standards for customer service. From 1972, when he was a young pulmonologist just joining the SMH team, through his service as Chief of Staff in the 1980s to his later leadership as Vice President of Medical Affairs and Chief Medical Officer, and finally as President and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Finlay guided the hospital and staff through a number of initiatives that strengthened patient, staff and physician satisfaction and SMH’s reputation for delivering compassionate, high-quality care.
In His Own Words
“I want the people of Sarasota County to be proud of their community hospital ... not just for the high caliber of care we offer, but also for our commitment to help make Sarasota a great place to live.”
“Dr. Finlay was an outstanding physician and leader,” said James Fiorica, MD, Chief Medical Officer for SMH. “He led with kindness and conviction. His commitment to always doing what was best for patients, physicians and staff continues to guide us to this day.”
Following his retirement from SMH in 2005, Dr. Finlay remained a sought-after leader in the medical field. He served in top positions at several institutions, including as President and CEO of the F.A.R. Institute, which was created to apply innovative analytic tools and expertise to improve healthcare delivery. He also served on the board of trustees for the Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation and supported important philanthropic work throughout the community, including the annual G. Duncan Finlay Health Careers Scholarship program.
“This year, SMH has been celebrating its centennial anniversary, and 100 years of providing quality care to the community. Dr. Finlay is a big part of that lasting legacy,” Verinder said. “Our deepest condolences go out to his wife Michele, family and those who worked alongside him.”
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 2,500 physicians and advanced practice providers and nearly 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, freestanding ERs in North Port and Lakewood Ranch, a rehabilitation hospital, behavioral health hospital, skilled nursing facility and comprehensive network of outpatient centers, urgent care clinics and physician practices. Founded in 1925, SMH is celebrating its 100-year anniversary in November 2025.