Sarasota Memorial Health Care System honored more than 700 employees celebrating milestone work anniversaries this year, including 123 longtime staffers achieving 20, 30, 40 and even 45 years of service. With more than 9,000 employees, the community-owned health system is Sarasota County’s largest employer. It has been repeatedly recognized for creating a work environment and culture that fosters a team of committed, highly engaged staff. OB/GYN perinatal sonographer Barbara Pittenger, who has served Sarasota Memorial patients for 45 years, was the guest of honor at the health system’s annual service anniversary celebration on April 11. The health system also recognized a group of five employees marking 40 years of service; 12 celebrating 35 years of service; 15 celebrating 30 years; 30 celebrating 25 years; 60 celebrating 20 years; 97 celebrating 15 years; 130 celebrating 10 years and 381 employees celebrating 5 years. Affectionately known as Bip, Pittenger started working at SMH as an X-ray tech in 1977, and within a few years, completed training to become a perinatal sonographer, specializing in ultrasound exams for high-risk pregnancies. She eventually worked her way from the hospital’s radiology department to Sarasota Memorial’s First Physicians Group OB/GYN practice. Colleagues and leaders shared many congratulatory comments, recognizing Bip for the skilled and compassionate care she gives to patients and for the support and insights she shares with teammates. One of her colleagues, OB/GYN Kathryn Gard, MD, was a medical student when the two first worked together at the OB/GYN practice. She later returned to the practice as a physician, where she continues to work closely with Bip. It’s not often you see that kind of longevity and loyalty in today’s workplace, but it has been the norm at SMH. Sarasota Memorial’s longest-serving employee, Lenora "Nori" Yoder, was honored for 50 years at the service anniversary celebration last year. A lab tech in the microbiology department, she had postponed retirement to support SMH staff and the community through multiple surges of the pandemic, including the deadly Delta wave. At 47 years and counting, nurse Clara Rock, who was honored at last year’s celebration, is currently the longest serving employee still working at SMH.