Sarasota Memorial Hospital recently announced that two medical staff leaders are joining its administrative team. Critical care pulmonologist Joseph Seaman, M.D., has been named associate Chief Medical Officer for Sarasota Memorial Hospital's Sarasota campus. He is transitioning out of his Lung Associates practice and will assume this full-time role on Oct. 4.

Obstetrician-gynecologist Kyle Garner, M.D., has been named associate Chief Medical Officer for Sarasota Memorial's Venice campus. He will assume this role on a part-time basis when the Venice campus opens in November 2021, and continue seeing patients in his Gulfcoast Obstetrics and Gynecology practice. 

Seaman and Garner will have day-to-day administrative responsibility for each hospital’s quality of care, medical education and the departments that support those functions. Each campus will have its own, separately credentialed medical staff. Seaman will serve as the liaison between SMH Sarasota’s medical staff and campus president Lorrie Liang’s administrative team, while Garner will serve as the liaison between SMH Venice’s medical staff and campus president Sharon Roush’s administrative team. Both Seaman and Garner will report directly to Sarasota Memorial Health Care System Chief Medical Officer James Fiorica, M.D.

Board-certified in Internal Medicine, Pulmonary Medicine, Critical Care Medicine and Interventional Pulmonology, Dr. Seaman joined SMH’s medical staff in 2012 and served as chief of staff in 2018-19. He also chaired the hospital’s Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine Section. In 2020, he was a recipient of SMH’s Physician Team of the Year Award for his leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic and his careful oversight of critical care resources and decisions. He also is a member of the faculty of Florida State University’s College of Medicine. Dr. Seaman earned his medical degree from the Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine, completed his Internship/Residency at the University of Cincinnati, and Fellowships at the National Jewish Health System in Denver and the University of Cincinnati. 

Board-certified in Obstetrics, Gynecology and Family Medicine, Dr. Garner joined SMH’s medical staff in 2006 and was named chief of staff in 2017-18. He has served as SMH’s chief of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and was named SMH’s Physician of the Year in 2013 for his leadership contributions and work to reduce the rate of C-sections and promote practices that encourage women to have as natural a childbirth experience as possible in the hospital setting. He also is a member of the faculty of Florida State University’s College of Medicine. Dr. Garner received his medical degree from the Wake Forest University/Bowman Gray School of Medicine and completed his Internship/Residency and Fellowship at the University of Tennessee. 

David Verinder, President & CEO of Sarasota Memorial Health Care System, said the enhanced medical leadership structure will ensure SMH maintains the highest standards across its expanding network of care.

“The physicians’ extensive experience, clinical expertise and proven commitment to their patients, fellow physicians and staff members, combined with Dr. Fiorica’s ongoing leadership, will help ensure our health system continues to provide excellent patient experiences and outcomes as we grow to better serve our community.”