Sharon Wetzler DePeters, MSN, APRN, BSN, RN, has been in healthcare since High School 1962. She earned an associate degree in science, a bachelor’s degree in nursing and later a master’s degree in nursing at the State University of New York at Buffalo. She is licensed in Florida and New York as Registered Nurse and Advance Practice Registered Nurse. She has remained a dedicated healthcare professional throughout her career.

Her expertise in the Surgical Intensive Care Unit at the VA Medical Center was impressive over the years, and she was honored with many performance awards including “The Nurse of the Year Award.” She served on the FEMA disaster team during the Los Angeles earthquake emergency response, assessing and managing the medical needs of disaster survivors and their resources. While on contract with a travel nurse agency, she wrote guidelines for policy and procedures for a private hospital’s Travel Nurse Program.

She retired after 21 years as a commissioned officer in the United States Air Force Reserve, stationed at Andrews Air Force Base with occupational status in the Intensive Care Unit, Operating Room and Post Anesthesia Recovery Unit. She now volunteers as an active member of the Medical Reserve Corps of Sarasota, helping Sarasota County to better prepare for and respond to public health crises and emergencies.

Sharon retired from State College of Florida after 14 years as Associate Professor in the Registered Nursing Program. She is so proud of the many graduates now practicing in our community that attended her course lectures on campus, combined with her guided clinical instruction at Sarasota Memorial Hospital throughout those years.

Over the last eight years, Sharon has been honored to serve in her elected official role on the Sarasota Memorial Hospital Board. Her dedication and commitment to serve the community of Sarasota is endless.

She has resided in Nokomis for the past 25 years with her Maltese Juliet, and remains very active in the Sarasota community, being self-employed at Cardiovascular Center of Sarasota as Advanced Practice Nurse Practitioner in Cardiology and sub-investigator in current Clinical Research Study Protocols.