Hospital staff and patients alike can expect little disruption in the way Sarasota Memorial Health Care System conducts business following the appointment of a new chief executive. David Verinder, who on Friday was appointed the new president and CEO for the organization, has been proud of the work down during his eight years working in some administrative capacity for SMH, and he feels no reason for dramatic changes. 

"We have laid out a strategic plan, which we all worked out as a team," he said. He has been working to implement that plan for three months already as interim CEO, and his prime focus will be a continuation of that effort. Verinder, of course, has a strong hand in developing the plan as the hospital's chief operating officer, a post he was promoted into in 2010 after years as the hospital's chief financial officer. 

Verinder follows in the footsteps of Gwen MacKenzie, who left her role as CEO at SMH this summer to take over a leadership role within Ascension Health. The unanimous vote by the Sarasota Hospital Board to hire Verinder proves a clear move to continue on the same track.

The biggest change for Verinder, her said, has been developing a stronger relationship with the medical side of the health system. "We have to be in lockstep with our medical staff," he said. "We have 800 members of our medical staff here, all a highly skilled group of physicians, and they certainly have a lot of ideas on what the future should be."

The health system has plenty on its immediate horizon. This week, SMH announced a $46-million rehabilitation center for people with physical and neurological problems. The project was approved in March while MacKenzie still led the organization, Verinder said, and primarily helps modernize an existing facility. "Rehab was one of the older parts of the hospital and a part of the hospital that probably had seen its useful life used up," he said. The new project, which will have 34 to 55 inpatient beds, will provide patients with better service, he said.

But the biggest challenges in the immediate future aren't about infrastructure but personnel. The health system has hired some 100 primary care physicians into its First Physicians Group, with another 6 to 12 being added each year, but changes in health insurance that encourage more use of primary physicians will likely boost demand for more doctors, Verinder said.

And changes to the U.S. healthcare industry as a result of the Affordable Care Act, better known as ObamaCare. SMH depends heavily of Medicare and Medicaid, which make up 70 percent of business, Verinder said, and the reduction in reimbursements presents its own challenge. And a resistance by Florida lawmakers to a state exchange adds to the challenge.

"Our belief is the more of our population is covered by some form of insurance or payment plan, the better off this community will be," he said. "But we're going to be successful in whatever we do. We will do what we need to do. I hate having uncertainty out there. We make capital decisions that will last 10, 20 years or more, and it is difficult to do things with so much uncertainty in major payer sources." 

Main Street staple Cafe Americano is very proud of its newly revitalized menu, and they should be. Patrons will notice several new menu items, including two very notable desserts, a chocolate bread pudding and pistachio and ricotta doughnuts. A true labor of love, the bread pudding is made daily from croissants and breakfast pastries, which are soaked in a homemade custard before baking.  The buttery and intense chocolate flavor will not disappoint. If you are craving something on the cinnamon and sugary side, then a serving of the doughnut balls are the way to go. Made to order, organic pistachios are toasted and combined with creamy ricotta cheese, organic orange blossom honey and fresh batter, deep fried, and then rolled in cinnamon and sugar. Pair these bite-sized morsels with an espresso or cappuccino for the complete experience. 

Cafe Americano, 1409 Main Street, Sarasota

Attorney Marisa J. Powers of Blalock Walters, P.A. has been elected Vice President of the Board of Directors of the Florida Association for Women Lawyers, Manatee County Chapter, for 2014-2015.  Powers is former treasurer of the association.  Blalock Walters’ attorney Ann K. Breitinger, also a former Treasurer of FAWL, and has been re-elected to the board. 

Florida Association for Women Lawyers

Knight Marketing, a Sarasota-based advertising and marketing firm, was hired recently by Doctors Hospital of Sarasota to develop a new, fully integrated marketing campaign focused on the hospital’s highly personal care and intimate, comforting environment. Knight Marketing delivered “You’re #1,” a message that conveys the hospital’s approach to patient care. The message is supported by the words and images of real Doctors Hospital patients, and is being communicated through multiple mediums including print, digital and outdoor. 

Knight Marketing

Realtor Eileen Hampton has joined the Venice office of RE/MAX Platinum Realty. A real estate professional for nine years, she was previously with Horizon Realty International. In addition to her real estate career, Hampton is a substitute teacher in the Sarasota County school system, working with grades kindergarten through 12, as well as Exceptional Student Education classes. 

RE/MAX Platinum Realty

Only a week away, SRQ | The Magazine’s next SB2 event is Wednesday, August 6 from 11:30am-1pm at the IMG Academy Golf Club. Leaders in local education, Allen Carlson, President and CEO of Sun Hydraulics, Mary Glass, Executive Director of the Manatee Education Foundation, Jeff Hazelton, President and Chief Technology Officer of BioLucid, Jan Pullen, Saint Stephen’s Head of School, and Susan Scott, Executive Director of the Education Foundation of Sarasota County, will share their insights on the private and public challenges associated with the region’s business community. Symposium tickets are $35/person and include plated lunch. 

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