When Sarasota Memorial Hospital opened in November 1925, it cost $40,000 to build and had 32 beds.
A hundred years later, it’s one of the biggest employers in the region, with more than 1,100 patient beds at two locations, Sarasota and Venice. The hospital is breaking ground on a third location in North Port on Friday.
Historian Jeff LaHurd researched the history of the hospital for a book called “A Century of Caring” to mark the hospital’s 100th anniversary. He spoke with WUSF’s Kerry Sheridan.
The interview below has been lightly edited for clarity. …