Sarasota Memorial Health Care System celebrated two longtime physicians for their dedication and named new medical staff leaders for the coming year at both the SMH-Sarasota and SMH-Venice campuses.
John Abu, MD, took home the 2026 Lifetime Achievement Award, while Steven Halbreich, MD, earned the 2026 Physician of the Year honor. The hospital’s physician leadership committee, after gathering recommendations from their colleagues, recognized both doctors during the annual medical staff meeting on October 29.
Dr. Abu’s story at Sarasota Memorial stretches back nearly a quarter of a century. He trained at the Medical College of Ohio, then moved through internship and OB/GYN residency at Mount Sinai Medical Center before settling into Sarasota’s healthcare scene in 2003. Early in his career, Dr. Abu provided OB care at the Sarasota County Health Department, helping mothers and families during some of the most important, vulnerable times of their lives…