Sarasota Memorial Health Care System honored two longtime doctors and installed new medical staff leadership at its annual meeting Thursday, Oct. 29.

OB-GYN John Abu, MD, received the hospital's 2026 Lifetime Achievement Award. General surgeon Steven Halbreich, MD, was named 2026 Physician of the Year. A committee of physician leaders selected both honorees after input from the medical staff, the health system announced.

New Medical Staff Leadership

Sarasota Memorial also announced that Joel Baker, DO, was named chief of staff at the SMH-Sarasota campus. Baker succeeds Daniel Kaplon, MD, who completes his one-year term this month. Baker will serve as the top representative of more than 2,100 medical staff members and advanced practice providers on the Sarasota campus.

At SMH-Venice, Daniel Murphy, MD, begins the second year of his two-year term as chief of staff, representing more than 1,300 medical staff members and providers at that campus.

Abu's Two Decades of Service

Abu joined the Sarasota Memorial medical staff in 2003 after earning his medical degree from the Medical College of Ohio in 1989 and completing his residency in obstetrics and gynecology at Mount Sinai Medical Center.

He spent much of his early career providing obstetrical services at the Florida Department of Health in Sarasota County. When the state began phasing out primary prenatal and OB services, Abu joined SMH's OB hospitalist team in 2012 and helped develop the hospital's OB Emergency Care Center. In 2019, he became part of First Physicians Group's OB hospitalist practice.

Abu has chaired SMH's Obstetrical Department and served on the Medical Executive Committee. He continues to provide prenatal services at SMH's Pregnancy and Wellness Center and the county health department.

Washington Hill, MD, who joined the medical staff the same year as Abu and worked alongside him for more than two decades, presented the award.

"His leadership, compassion, dedication to women's healthcare, and willingness to serve those most in need reflect the very best of our profession and the values we strive to uphold at Sarasota Memorial Hospital," Hill said.

Halbreich Recognized for Surgical Leadership

Halbreich also joined Sarasota Memorial's medical staff in 2003. He specializes in minimally invasive laparoscopic and robotic surgery, as well as traditional surgical treatments for conditions affecting the abdomen, breast and soft tissues.

Before joining First Physicians Group's general surgery practice in 2015, Halbreich spent 12 years with Vascular and Surgery Associates in Sarasota. He earned his medical degree from New York University School of Medicine in 1998 and completed his residency at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York.

At SMH, Halbreich helped expand the group's services to include around-the-clock emergency surgical coverage and trauma care for hospitalized patients. He has served as chief of SMH's General Surgery section and chairs the Surgery Department's Quality Improvement Committee.

Chief Medical Officer James Fiorica, MD, praised both honorees.

"Dr. Abu and Dr. Halbreich are excellent clinicians who have demonstrated extraordinary care for their patients and a deep commitment to strengthening the services we provide to our community," Fiorica said.