SARASOTA, Fla. (Nov. 19, 2025) – On Tuesday, the Sarasota County Public Hospital Board, which governs Sarasota Memorial Health Care System, named its new officers for 2026. The new chair is Kevin Cooper, who represents the Board’s at-large Seat 2.
Cooper, a longtime business and civic leader, was elected to the Hospital Board in 2024. He currently is vice president for communications and strategic initiatives at Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium and has been involved with multiple civic and community organizations. Previously, he served as a sergeant in the Ohio Army National Guard. He was deployed to Iraq and served as a convoy security operator during Operation Iraqi Freedom and received multiple awards and commendations, including the Army Commendation Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and Joint Meritorious Unit Award. Cooper earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration from Kent State University and master’s degree in business administration from Florida State University. A father of two children born at SMH, he has been a resident of Sarasota since 2008.
Cooper succeeds Sarah Lodge, who served as Board chair for 2024 and 2025, and will continue to represent the Central District’s Seat 1 on the Board. Lodge’s two terms as chair included many health system accomplishments and growth initiatives, including the opening of the SMH Freestanding ER at Lakewood Ranch and the Kolschowsky Research and Education Institute, the expansion of SMH-Venice, the groundbreaking of the new SMH-North Port campus, and Sarasota Memorial’s celebration of its 100 years of service. The health system also continued to earn national recognition for quality and safety. For instance, SMH-Sarasota remains one of only 17 hospitals in the nation and the only hospital in Florida to repeatedly earn 5 stars from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services for overall quality in every reporting period since the federal rating program began in 2016.
“We greatly appreciate Sarah’s leadership over the past two years, and look forward to her input and expertise as she continues to serve on the governing body,” said Sarasota Memorial Health Care System CEO David Verinder.
Made up of nine citizens elected by Sarasota County voters to four-year terms, the unpaid Board is charged with setting the strategic direction of the organization and serving as good stewards of its financial resources. In addition to Cooper, the Board officers for 2026 include:
- First Vice Chair: Sharon Wetzler DePeters, APRN
- Second Vice Chair: Patricia Maraia, BSN, RN
- Secretary: Pam Beitlich, DNP, APRN, RN, NEA-BC
- Assistant Secretary: Greg Carter
- Treasurer: Brad Baker
- Assistant Treasurer: Victor Rohe
- Members: Bridgette Fiorucci, BSN, RN, and Sarah Lodge
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 2025 and encouraging community members to visit smh.com/100 throughout the year for centennial events and updates.