Our Candidates

Four of the nine seats on the board are open for election in August this year. We support high-quality candidates who will continue to demonstrate leadership in providing high quality healthcare services to our county-wide community.

We are backing these excellent candidates:

Dr. Tara Butler, Northern District, Seat 2

Butler, a board-certified emergency medicine physician, has served Sarasota Memorial for more than 15 years. She has also led efforts to improve patient outcomes and streamline emergency operations as chairs of the Emergency Care Center’s Quality Improvement Committee.

“Sarasota Memorial is the crown jewel of our region — a hospital that represents the very best of what a public health system can be,” Butler said in a statement. “It has been the privilege of my career to serve here, and I’m running to ensure we preserve that excellence, transparency and trust for generations to come.”

Bill Woeltjen, Northern District, Seat 1

Woeltjen has worked at Sarasota Memorial for 15 years, including 12 as Chief Financial Officer. He is focused on sustaining the hospital’s mission and independence. He holds degrees in economics, management and accounting from Tulane University and the University of South Florida, and an MBA from USF.

"Having spent my career helping to ensure SMH’s financial strength, I know firsthand what it takes to sustain this hospital’s mission,” Woeltjen said. “As a fiscal conservative, I’ll work to keep Sarasota Memorial strong, efficient and accountable to the people it serves."

Gregory Carter, Southern District, Seat 2

Greg Carter brings over 30 years of experience from AT&T's Engineering Department, where he excelled as a project manager. In this role, he oversaw the construction of network facilities throughout Virginia, effectively coordinating various aspects of each project. He acted as a vital link between AT&T and its vendors, consultants, and project teams, ensuring smooth communication and successful project execution.

In addition to his extensive background in telecommunications, Greg is currently the owner and operator of a general home repair business, where he applies his project management skills to deliver quality service to his clients. He also proudly served in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, further honing his expertise in engineering and project coordination.

Greg has made significant contributions as a member of the Sarasota Memorial Hospital Board, where his leadership and strategic insights have driven numerous successful initiatives. During his tenure, he played a pivotal role in enhancing the hospital's operational efficiency and patient care quality. Greg’s ability to foster collaboration among board members and hospital administration has led to the successful implementation of innovative healthcare solutions, ultimately supporting the hospital's mission to provide exceptional care to the community. His commitment to excellence and community service continues to have a lasting impact on the healthcare landscape in Sarasota.