Former Sarasota chamber CEO to run for hospital board seat

Kevin Cooper, a well-known advocate for businesses and nonprofits in Sarasota and former U.S. Army sergeant, has filed to run for the Sarasota Memorial Hospital Board.

The nine-member board has financial, quality and management oversight of the Sarasota Memorial Hospital community health care system, which treats some 1.5 million people per year and has more than 9,000 employees. SMH has operating revenue of $1.83 billion in fiscal 2024, according to public filings.  

Cooper, according to a statement, is running for Seat 2. That seat is currently held by Tramm Hudson, a retired Sarasota-area banker and past chair of the Republican Party of Sarasota County. Hudson’s term expires in 2024, and the seat is one of at least four that are up in this election.