As 2023 came to a close, the Sarasota County Public Hospital Board, which governs Sarasota Memorial Health Care System, named its new officers for 2024. The new chair is Sarah Lodge, who has represented the Board’s Central District Seat 1 since 2020. Lodge has extensive experience in long-term strategic planning and financial problem-solving. A certified financial planner, she is currently first vice president with the Gress Lodge Group at RBC Wealth Management in Sarasota. Born and raised in Florida, Lodge moved to Sarasota a few years after graduating from the University of Florida in 2003 with a bachelor’s degree in health science. All three of her children were born at Sarasota Memorial Hospital. Known for her passion for volunteering and giving back to the community, Lodge has served in leadership roles for a number of local civic organizations. During her term as president of the Rotary Club Foundation, she helped start Rotary food pantries throughout Sarasota County, led the Rotary Reading Project, and was subsequently named the 2019 Rotarian of the Year by the Rotary Club of Sarasota. She also served as director and a founding board member of Impact 100 SRQ, which empowers women to collectively fund transformational grants to non-profit organizations in Sarasota and Manatee Counties. A past president and current volunteer with the Junior League of Sarasota, Lodge also was a member of Leadership Sarasota’s class of 2014-15 and the Gulf Coast Leadership Institute in 2012. She has worked closely with the Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation in its efforts to support critical hospital services and programs. Lodge succeeds Tramm Hudson, who served as chair of the Hospital Board for 2023. During his tenure, the health system received numerous quality honors and moved forward with key projects including the expansion of SMH-Venice, the development of new medical campuses in south county, the opening of a new Urgent Care Center in south Venice and ground-breakings for our Research & Education Institute and Cancer Pavilion. Other Hospital Board officers for 2024 include: First Vice Chairman: Brad Baker, Second Vice Chairman: Patricia Maraia, BSN, RN, Treasurer: Bridgette Fiorucci, BSN, RN, Secretary: Sharon Wetzler DePeters, APRN, Assistant Secretary: Britt Riner, Assistant Treasurer: Gregory Carter. Tramm Hudson remains on the nine-member Board, which also includes Victor Rohe.