SARASOTA, Fla. (Aug. 10, 2026) – Sarasota Memorial Health Care System has been named Florida's top employer for women in Forbes’ “America's Best Employers for Women 2026,” earning the highest ranking of any employer headquartered in the state.
In addition to claiming the top spot in Florida, Sarasota Memorial ranked #28 among 700 employers recognized across all industries and #8 among healthcare organizations, underscoring the community-owned health system’s commitment to creating a workplace where women can build meaningful, rewarding careers.
Compiled annually by Forbes in partnership with market research firm Statista, the rankings are based on an independent survey of more than 146,000 women working for companies that employ at least 1,000 people in the United States and incorporate more than 4 million employer evaluations collected over a three-year period.
Employers were evaluated on factors that matter most to women in the workplace, including:
- Career ladders and advancement opportunities
- Pay equity and benefits
- Workplace culture and conditions
- Parental leave and family support
- Representation in leadership
Ultimately, the 700 companies with the highest scores made Forbes’ 2026 list.
“This recognition reflects the commitment of our entire organization to creating a workplace where every team member feels valued, respected and empowered to grow,” said Laurie Bennett, vice president of Human Resources at Sarasota Memorial. “Women play an essential role in every aspect of our health system—from patient care and research to leadership and innovation—and we are honored to be recognized for fostering an environment where they can thrive.”
Sarasota Memorial’s workforce reflects that commitment. Women represent 75% of the health system’s more than 11,000 employees and 73% of its leadership positions across hospitals, physician practices, outpatient care centers and other facilities throughout the region. One of Florida's largest public health systems and Sarasota County’s largest employer, Sarasota Memorial invests in its workforce through competitive benefits, professional development, leadership training, wellness resources, onsite childcare and programs that support work-life balance.
The latest Forbes recognition adds to Sarasota Memorial's longstanding reputation as an employer of choice. In addition to past awards by Forbes, the health system earned Gallup's prestigious Exceptional Workplace Award, recognizing organizations with world-class employee engagement and workplace culture.
More to celebrate! SMH's commitment to its people in action.
Recently, SMH celebrated eight incredible team members, all women, who graduated with their Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degrees from Florida State University College of Nursing. The women supported one another through late nights, demanding coursework, full-time careers, family responsibilities and everything in between, demonstrating the supportive workplace that helped earn SMH the #1 spot on the list of Florida’s best employers of women.
About Sarasota Memorial Health Care System
Recently, SMH celebrated eight incredible team members, all women, who graduated with their Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degrees from Florida State University College of Nursing. The women supported one another through late nights, demanding coursework, full-time careers, family responsibilities and everything in between, demonstrating the supportive workplace that helped earn SMH the #1 spot on the list of Florida’s best employers of women.
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 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.