SARASOTA (July 1, 2026) – Sarasota Memorial Health Care System (SMH) is celebrating the 10th anniversary of its Level II Trauma Center, a milestone that reflects a decade of growth, innovation and lifesaving care for patients throughout Sarasota County and the surrounding region
Since opening in May 2015 and receiving full state designation in July 2016, the SMH trauma team has treated 47,735 injured patients, including 22,871 trauma team activations to address the most critically injured patients transported by emergency medical teams to the nearest trauma center.
Created to ensure local residents could receive immediate specialized trauma care close to home, SMH’s Trauma Center has transformed emergency care in Sarasota County and established itself as one of the top-performing trauma programs in the nation.
“Our success over the past decade is a direct reflection of the people who have dedicated their careers to caring for trauma patients,” said Christian Schuetz, MD, FPG Trauma Surgeon and medical director of trauma and emergency general surgery at SMH-Sarasota. “From the physicians and nurses to our critical care and rehabilitation specialists and support staff, every member of the team plays a critical role in helping patients survive devastating injuries and recover as fully as possible.”
The Trauma Center’s patient outcomes consistently exceed national benchmarks. From May 2015 through May 2026, the program maintained an overall mortality rate of 1.9 percent – less than half the national benchmark rate of 4.31 percent. According to the American College of Surgeons’ benchmarking reports, SMH ranks in the top decile nationally for both all-patient mortality and elderly patient mortality.
The center has expanded significantly since its launch. In 2015, the trauma program was staffed by five trauma surgeons, five advanced practice professionals and three administrative team members. Today, the team includes nine trauma surgeons, 20 advanced practice professionals and 14 administrative staff members supporting around-the-clock trauma care. Approximately 85 percent of the original trauma team members hired in 2015 remain with Sarasota Memorial in 2026.
Today, Sarasota Memorial remains the region’s only designated trauma center, providing immediate access to highly specialized care for patients suffering life-threatening injuries from motor vehicle and e-bike/scooter crashes, falls, penetrating injuries and other traumatic accidents.
We are incredibly proud of our First Physicians Group trauma surgeons and advanced practice professionals, who have been part of the multidisciplinary team providing expert, compassionate care during some of life’s critical moments.
