SARASOTA, Fla. – Sarasota Memorial Hospital-Venice is pleased to announce its inaugural team of physician leaders.
Sarasota Memorial Health Care System Chief Medical Officer James Fiorica, MD, who will oversee the medical staffs at the system’s Sarasota and Venice hospital campuses, said the 13 physicians selected to serve on the Medical Executive Committee for Sarasota Memorial Hospital-Venice represent diverse specialties in both the Sarasota and Venice community. As SMH-Venice moves closer to its opening this fall, the physician leaders will serve an increasingly critical role in overseeing patient safety and the professional performance of the medical staff at the Venice hospital.
"They are all outstanding clinicians with a combined 129 years of experience working with SMH," Dr. Fiorica said. "We feel confident that their vision and leadership will ensure a successful opening of the new hospital and reflect Sarasota Memorial's longstanding commitment to provide high-quality, patient-centered care."
The following physicians were approved by the Sarasota County Public Hospital Board to serve as SMH-Venice's first Medical Executive Committee. Their terms will continue through the hospital's first year of operation, until Oct. 31, 2022, followed by new physician appointments annually. For continuity of operations, the chief of staff will serve through the second year of operation, until Oct. 31, 2023, followed by 2-year terms thereafter.
Chief of Staff
Christopher L. Jefferson, MD (Family Medicine)
Secretary/Treasurer
Noel A. Maun, MD (Hematology Oncology)
Department of Medicine
Chair: Heidi R. Goedicke, MD (Pulmonary Critical Care)
Chair elect: Ravi Kondapalli, MD (Gastroenterology)
Department of Surgery
Chair: Issam A. Halaby, MD (General Surgery)
Chair elect: Gregory M. Lomas, MD (Urology)
Department of Special Services
Chair: Ryan S. Snitowsky, MD (Emergency Medicine)
Chair elect: Heitor Okanobo, MD (Diagnostic Radiology)
Department of Women & Children
Chair: Kyle L. Garner, MD (Obstetrics/Gynecology)
Chair elect: Susan R. Mihm, MD (Pediatric General Medicine)
At-Large Members
Lorraine S. Cho-Chung-Hing, MD (Nephrology)
Mary L. vonWaldner, MD (Anesthesiology)
John W. Wassenaar, MD (Internal Medicine/Pediatrics)
About Sarasota Memorial Hospital-Venice
A full-service acute care hospital, SMH-Venice is designed to serve the growing south Sarasota County region. When it opens in Fall 2021, the 65-acre medical campus will feature a 110-bed, hurricane-hardened hospital; medical office buildings with physician and specialty care practices; an energy center for emergency power; and seamless integration with the resources and expertise of the entire Sarasota Memorial Health Care System.