Marguerite Barnett, a double board-certified plastic surgeon with more than 30 years of experience, has spent the past 20 years in Sarasota building a private practice that focuses on a holistic approach to looking and feeling good. However, she’s not just a doctor—she’s also a professional fire dancer and performs throughout the area regularly. “I don't have enough hours in the day, but everything I do, I feel I have some kind of purpose,” she says. “I don't think I could ever really just retire and do nothing.”

Barnett began her career as an Army doctor, achieving a dream she had had since she was a child. She first worked as a general surgeon before training to do plastic surgery, which allowed her to treat everything from congenital birth defects to reconstruction from trauma to elective cosmetic surgery. After leaving the military, Barnett joined a practice in Naples.

However, she soon realized that cosmetic surgery needed to be accompanied by healthy habits to be truly successful. “I realized if I was doing a great facelift, if people were still smoking or overeating or doing too much sunning, they weren't going to get good results,” she says. “So I began to envision a full service spot where we could provide everything from nutritional counseling, acupuncture and hypnosis, yoga, massage, other stress reduction techniques, as well as facial care and education about how to keep your skin good.” In 2003, she decided it was time to open her own practice and moved to Sarasota to do so.

The Sarasota Institute of Plastic Surgery and accompanying Mandala Med Spa that Barnett has created help her patients both look and feel their best. “To me, it's the best of both worlds. I have a cosmetic practice in the sense that I'm making women look better, but I'm also being a doctor and helping them feel better,” she says.

In her spare time, Barnett practices the healthy lifestyle that she advocates for in her practice. At 71 years old, she’s also a fire dancer and an amateur aerialist. Barnett says that she has always been fascinated by dance, and while studying at Harvard, she took up belly dancing to pay for her room and board. Since then, she has maintained a lifelong passion for artistic forms of exercise, even taking up pole dancing for several years. Now, she takes adult classes in aerial silks at the Sailor Circus Academy.

The Sarasota Institute of Plastic Surgery, 1715 Stickney Point Rd, Sarasota, 941-927-2447, drmbarnett.com 

Pictured: Dr. Marguerite Barnett is a double board-certified surgeon, but also leads a rich life outside of her work as a doctor. Photo provided by The Sarasota Institute of Plastic Surgery.

 GSP Development, a Chicago-based real estate firm with a portfolio spanning luxury multifamily, office, and retail properties in major metropolitan markets, today announced the debut of Saravela, a transformative new residential community rising in the heart of Sarasota. Saravela will redefine downtown living with 282 luxury condominiums, including 11 townhomes, and prime retail space — all while offering owners a first-of-its-kind option to rent their residences for as few as three days or longer. This unprecedented flexibility creates an opportunity for owners to enjoy Sarasota living while helping to offset ownership expenses. Premier Sotheby’s International Realty has been appointed as the exclusive representative for Saravela. Discover Saravela today — visit Saravela.com or call 941-203-5383. 

SR 64 Executive Storage, a premier new storage facility designed specifically for RV, boat, and auto enthusiasts, is set to open at 829 57th St E, Bradenton, FL. With construction expected to be completed in January 2026, the facility will provide a range of customizable, climate-controlled storage units that meet the highest standards of security and quality. The facility is designed to offer superior storage solutions at a significant value.Developed by the Voigt Brothers, who bring over 25 years of custom construction expertise, SR 64 Executive Storage offers an unmatched storage experience. Each unit is equipped with private entrances, a motorized insulated 12ft W x 14ft H garage door, and private bathrooms. The facility’s construction is hurricane impact-rated to Miami-Dade standards, providing peace of mind for those with valuable assets. For more information or to inquire about available units, contact Joanna Benante at (941) 356-7718. 

SMH’s Kolschowsky Research and Education Institute is participating in two international research studies exploring potential gene therapy alternatives to bladder removal surgery. The Sarasota studies are being led by local principal investigator Robert I. Carey, MD, PhD, FACS, a urologist with Sarasota Memorial’s First Physicians Group and the Brian D. Jellison Cancer Institute. For more information or to find out if you are eligible to participate in these local studies, contact the Sarasota Memorial research team at (941) 917-2225 or researchinstitute@smh.com. 
 

This holiday season, HCA Florida Fawcett Hospital proudly continued its tradition of caring beyond hospital walls through its Angel Tree program, bringing joy to 146 children of hospital employees. The Angel Tree featured holiday wishes from children of team members across the organization. Colleagues were invited to select an angel from the tree and fulfill a child’s wish by donating gifts, toys, and other special items. Thanks to the overwhelming generosity of staff, every angel was claimed and each child’s wishes were fulfilled. Through this collective effort, Fawcett Hospital was able to donate holiday gifts, helping to make the season brighter for families within the hospital community. The program reflects the spirit of compassion, teamwork, and generosity that defines the organization year-round. For more information about Fawcett Hospital and its community initiatives, visit HCAFloridaHealthcare.com. 

Shumaker raised $4,138 for Safe Place and Rape Crisis Center (SPARCC) through its Sarasota office’s annual Halloween Partner Auction, an event that combines festive fun with meaningful community impact. The firm’s auction invites participants to dress Partner attorneys in creative Halloween costumes, with all proceeds supporting SPARCC’s mission to provide critical services for survivors of domestic and sexual violence. Shumaker’s Real Estate Service Line team won the auction and selected SPARCC as the proceeds recipient in acknowledgment of its essential role in protecting and supporting individuals in need. Shumaker is a longtime supporter of SPARCC’s mission. Sarasota Partner Patrick J. Duggan currently serves as Chair of SPARCC’s Board of Directors, further demonstrating the firm’s dedication to advocacy and leadership. 

Most Sarasota County Government offices and services, along with the Clerk of the Circuit Court and County Comptroller, Property Appraiser, Tax Collector and UF/IFAS Extension and Sustainability offices will be closed Dec. 24-26 and Jan. 1-2, 2026, in observance of the upcoming holidays. For more information, dial 311 or visit www.scgov.net.  

HCA Florida Englewood Hospital recently surpassed 2,000 minimally invasive robotic-assisted surgeries, underscoring its commitment to advanced technology and high-quality care for the community. Robotic-assisted surgery allows specially trained surgeons to operate robotic arms that move instruments with precision beyond human capability, enabling access through tiny openings. Benefits often include smaller incisions, less pain, reduced blood loss, fewer complications, shorter hospital stays and faster recovery times. The 2,000th procedure was performed by Shea Jones, DO, general surgeon. The hospital operates three robotic units, enabling surgeons to perform a wide range of procedures with enhanced precision and control. Learn more about surgical services at HCA Florida Englewood Hospital.