HCA Florida Sarasota Doctors Hospital welcomed 12 resident physicians during a white coat ceremony on Thursday, July 2. The new doctors, who have come from medical schools around the world to train in Sarasota, recited the Hippocratic Oath and received their white coats. 

Shawn Yeager has been named Sarasota County's director of parks, recreation and natural resources.

The Florida Department of Education has awarded Sarasota County Schools an overall “A” rating for the 2025-2026 school year. All distract-managed middle schools earned an "A" or "B" grade; Emma E. Booker Elementary School and Booker Middle School both earned "A" grades for the first time since Florida's school grading system was established; the district increased its overall accountability score by 32 points compared to the previous year; and 14 district-managed schools improved by at least one letter grade and no district-managed schools decreased a letter grade.

The Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation has announced its board officers for the 2026-2027 fiscal year: Dr. Jenne K. Britell and Drayton Saunders (co-chairs), Nanci Weaver (vice chair), Gerald L. Biller (treasurer) and Julie Harris (secretary). The other members of the board are Mark P. Famiglio, Ella Chase Hyland, Eileen A. Kamerick, David Koffman, Ling Markovitz, James Matras, Dr. John Maupin, Karl Newkirk, Steven G. Osgood, Barbara Ann Sellinger, James Travers, Monica Van Buskirk and Michael Wilson.

Pinecraft's Carlisle Inn has been recognized as a 2026 Travelers’ Choice Award winner, placing it in the top 10 percent of hotels in the world on Tripadvisor for the third year in a row.

The American Heart Association has recognized Sarasota Memorial Health Care System's Sarasota and Venice campuses with multiple "Get With The Guidelines" awards for the hospitals' exceptional, evidence-based care to patients experiencing heart and stroke emergencies.

The Sarasota Manatee Airport Authority, which operates Sarasota Bradenton International Airport (SRQ), has appointed Joseph Centanni as its new chief of police.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Sun Coast has announced the promotion of Vinnie Mascarenhas to vice president of marketing and communications.

Visit Sarasota County has been recognized by Smart Meetings as a 2026 Smart Stars Award winner in two categories: Best Waterfront CVB/DMO and Best Beach CVB/DMO. 

The Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota announced that Keren Shani-Lifrak is stepping down from her role as executive director. The organization will conduct a regional search to fill the role.

Leadership Sarasota, a program of the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce, has announced the winners of its 2026 Outstanding Leadership Awards. They are Lucy Nicandri (Lifetime of Leadership Award), Fiona Farrell (Impact in Action Award), Kari Queen (Leadership Sarasota Dedication Award), David Verinder (Community Catalyst Award) and Heather Todd (Civic Champion Award).

Big Waters Land Trust has added of Joel Johnson to its board of trustees. He joins trustees Daniel Vigne, chair; David Crawford, vice-chair; Joseph Lieberman, secretary; Patrick Pedonti, treasurer; and Mario Bernardis, Robert W. Brown, James Caldwell, Patrick Carlton, Carol Carter, Michael Knupp, Elizabeth Moore and and Eileen Scudder-Zimmermann.

The Venice Symphony board of trustees recently re-elected Roger Effron as chair and welcomed new members Linda Cantrell, Bob Hite and Samuel Stempler.