In recognition of National Doctors’ Day, Lower Keys Medical Center recognized the dedication of the medical staff. “On Doctors’ Day, and every day, I am thankful to work with our skilled and compassionate providers. Thanks to their professionalism, resilience and empathy for their patients, we have been able to continue to help our community with emergency, chronic and routine medical needs throughout the ebbs and flows of COVID-19,” said David Clay, CEO.
 
Since 2017, the hospital has been honoring the medical staff on Doctors’ Day by making donations to community organizations, chosen by the providers, in lieu of gifts. This year’s recipients were Samuel’s House, Wesley House Family Services and Florida Keys Children’s Shelter.
 
Photo (l to r): Renie Henslee, LKMC Chief Financial Officer; Maria Protopsaltis, Deputy Director, Samuel’s House; Aydin Atilla, MD, LKMC; Grace Epperly, Development Coordinator, Wesley House Family Services; Jimmy Bass, LKMC Assistant Chief Executive Officer; and Ben Kemmer, CEO, Florida Keys Children’s Shelter.

Joseph R. Paprota, MD, Keys Medical Group Pulmonology, will begin seeing patients at a new location effective Monday, February 28, 2022. Dr. Paprota will be located at 1111 12th Street, Suite 210, Key West, joining the multi-specialty office of Michelle Bachtel, MD, FACC, General Cardiology; Steven Rowe, MD, FACC, Interventional Cardiology; Orlando Lopez-Roman, MD, FACG, AGAF, Gastroenterology, and Erin Kane, APRN, Gastroenterology.
 
Dr. Paprota is board-certified in Pulmonology, Internal Medicine and Critical Care Medicine. He specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of lung and chest conditions, including asthma, COPD/emphysema, chest infections and pneumonia.
 
Appointments may be requested at KeysMedicalGroup.com or by calling (305) 296-1558. New patients and most major insurance plans are accepted.
 
About: Keys Medical Group is a multi-specialty practice of board-certified physicians and providers in Primary Care, General and Interventional Cardiology, Gastroenterology, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Orthopedic Surgery/Sports Medicine, Psychiatry and Pulmonology. More information is available at KeysMedicalGroup.com.

On February 9, 2022, Lower Keys Medical Center recognized its 2021 Annual Award recipients.
 
Holly Boyer, Patient Concierge, was named the 2021 Employee of the Year. David Clay, CEO, read comments from Holly’s colleagues, which recognized her for her composure, critical thinking skills, and daily care and compassion as she welcomes patients, guests and staff entering the facility. “Holly arrives at work each day with a smile! She treats everyone with kindness and respect. If an issue or difficult situation arises, we know it will be handled appropriately. She performs the essential duties of welcoming and screening all that enter our facility, directing and guiding patients and visitors, while cross-training in other roles as well. She never complains and is the epitome of a team player. She’s invaluable!”

​Sean Dillon, RN, Surgical Services, received the 2021 Nursing Excellence Award. He was recognized for his dedication to his profession, connection with patients, honesty, authenticity and trustworthiness. Clay noted comments from co-workers, “Sean goes above and beyond in modeling our Compassionate Care Culture. He is a highly competent and skilled nurse. He believes, as a nurse, that we are here to provide technical, emotional, supportive and collaborative care to all we encounter. His professionalism is well-balanced with a great sense of humor and an incredible amount of empathy for those around him. When thanked for his efforts, Sean simply replies, ‘That’s what we’re here for… to take care of our patients.’”

​Zuki Figueroa, Certified Medical Assistant, Keys Medical Group Obstetrics and Gynecology, received the 2021 Keys Medical Group Excellence Award, in recognition of her experience, insight and compassion. Colleagues commended her work ethic, mentorship, and ability to implement new processes in a positive manner. “Working in OB, you have to be a compassionate person. Zuki is warm and welcoming to patients and addresses them as a familiar friend when they come in. She is compassionate when patients are sad or afraid and shows the same compassion with her co-workers. You can really count on her!”

​Yodis Fuentes Flores, Nursing Assistant, Emergency Services, was presented with the 2021 Clinical (Non-nursing) Excellence Award, for which he received eight separate nominations. Clay read, “Yodis is always willing to go the extra mile for patients. He always helps patients to feel comfortable with the process of being in the ER. He calmly talks to people that are in distress until they feel better. Yodis is a hard worker who takes pride in what he does. Yodis is very positive and extremely helpful. There is never a moment where he is rude to another human. He shows his compassion through his kind words and shows he cares with a smile.”

​Tara Lowson, Registrar, Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapy Rehabilitation Department, was recognized with the 2021 Non-Clinical Excellence Award. Co-workers noted, “Tara reassures our patients that their therapist(s) will take care of them and that they will receive excellent care. She provides compassionate care and enhances the patient experience by taking extra time to sit with patients, face-to-face, to explain their insurance, make calls to insurance companies, and really talk through their benefits. Patients have, time and time again, expressed how grateful they were to have Tara walk them through the confusing world of insurance. She is an active listener and can tell when someone needs a little extra help, attention, or needs space. She serves as a mentor to others in the department.” 

Eddie Bushey, Human Resources Business Partner, received the 2021 Frank Houtman Award, named in honor of a long-serving volunteer at the hospital who wanted to give back to patients and employees as a tribute to his late wife. Frank once said he admired people with a sense of service, loyalty and commitment. “I look for people who shine,” Frank noted. Eddie was commended for his willingness to help out wherever he can and for organizing events and activities to keep the staff in good spirits. “He visits the floors to give out candy or pens, telling his ‘Eddie jokes’ and making everyone laugh. He treats everyone the same, is always outgoing, and knows staff by name,” Clay noted.

Angelina Ashler, RN, Director of the Intensive Care Unit and Patient Experience Champion, was honored as the 2021 Clinical Manager of the Year, for her compassion, leadership, and ability to adapt quickly in times of change. Clay shared, “Angelina is a consummate professional in all of her leadership duties. She goes above and beyond to support our team, our customers and our mission. She quickly responded to reconfigure services to meet pandemic concerns, ensuring quality patient care and safety of staff amid constant change and imperfect information. She and her team demonstrated extraordinary compassion for patients and families. She was also very aware of the impact on her team, providing compassion and ongoing frontline support.”

​Lisa Noss, Director of Human Resources, was named the 2021 Non-Clinical Manager of the Year for her unwavering drive to improve the hospital environment, no matter what the challenge may be. Clay noted, “Lisa has the ability to multitask at a high level, which was paramount this year. She goes about this with a positive light and always looks for opportunities to improve the organization. She is always fair, calm, and can explain the ‘why’ behind policies while making individuals feel at ease. Lisa was instrumental in timely implementation of new COVID policies. No matter how much is on her plate, Lisa will always find time for you and, when she does, she is committed to your concern and does it with a smile.” 


Also recognized were employees with 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 years of service with Lower Keys Medical Center.

​Keys Medical Group welcomes Courtney Bonner, DO. Dr. Bonner is a board certified Internal Medicine physician with more than 25 years of experience. A graduate of Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine, she completed her residency at St. Joseph’s Health Center in Warren, OH.
 
Dr. Bonner provides general medical care for patients 16 years of age and older, including disease diagnosis and management, preventive medicine, wellness visits, treatment for hypertension, diabetes, lipid disorders, and infectious diseases, preoperative evaluations and physicals, health education, basic joint injections and telehealth virtual visits.
 
“I look forward to becoming part of the lower Keys community and to working with the impressive team of providers in Keys Medical Group," said Dr. Bonner.
 
Dr. Bonner will see patients at Keys Medical Group – Primary Care at Searstown, 3224 N. Roosevelt Boulevard, Key West. Request an appointment at (305) 293-4073 or at KeysMedicalGroup.com. New patients are welcome and most major insurance plans are accepted.
 
Keys Medical Group is a multi-specialty practice of board-certified physicians and providers in Primary Care, General and Interventional Cardiology, Gastroenterology, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Orthopedic Surgery/Sports Medicine, Psychiatry and Pulmonology. More information is available at KeysMedicalGroup.com.