KEY WEST, FL, JULY 30, 2026 - Jody Houser, a registered nurse at Lower Keys Medical Center, has received a national Nursing Excellence Award. Houser was surprised with the recognition during a reception with hospital leadership, colleagues, and Key West Mayor Danise "DeeDee" Henriquez, where she was presented with a crystal plaque and a symbolic check for the cash award she received. 
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Houser joined Lower Keys Medical Center in 2021 and in that time has served in the medical surgical unit, nursing leadership, and the intensive care unit. In March of 2026, she was presented with the annual LKMC Frank Houtman Award, named after a long-serving hospital volunteer, for representing the true essence of volunteerism.  When a local family faced a personal and medical crisis, she provided specialized care for a community member on her personal time. She arranged her schedule to provide nighttime support and helped educate family members so they could feel confident and empowered in caring for their loved one. She is recognized by colleagues for her passion, integrity, servant leadership, and community service. 
 
Angelina Ashler, RN, director of the intensive care unit and dialysis and patient experience champion at Lower Keys Medical Center said, "It's an honor to present this award to Jody. She is known for her clinical competence, leadership, and her willingness to mentor new nurses. In the intensive care unit, she cares for some of our most vulnerable patients with attentiveness and heart, always ensuring that patients and families feel informed, supported and comforted."
 
Mayor Henriquez said, "Congratulations to Jody Houser, RN, on receiving the Nursing Excellence Award. This well-deserved honor recognizes her exceptional compassion, professionalism, and dedication to going above and beyond for both the residents of Key West and the visitors who rely on our healthcare community. It was a privilege to be part of this special celebration and to recognize someone whose commitment to caring for others makes our community stronger every day."
 
Houser is one of ten national winners selected across all hospitals affiliated with Community Health Systems, one of the nation’s leading healthcare providers. Developing and operating healthcare delivery systems in 32 distinct markets across 12 states, the organization’s affiliates include Lower Keys Medical Center and 59 other hospitals.
 
The Nursing Excellence Award program was created in 2020 with the celebration of the “Year of the Nurse” as a means to recognize the tremendous effort and sacrifice made by nurses during the COVID pandemic. This is the sixth occasion for the peer-nominated award recognizing the vital work nurses play in our work to make the healthcare experience exceptional for our patients, our communities, and each other. Characteristics synonymous with nursing excellence include outstanding care, compassion, service and innovation, and reflect the efforts of someone who is a demonstrated team player and/or mentor to others, is a leader in times of crises, and who regularly promotes health in the community.
 
Caption: Drew Bigby, chief executive officer, and Michael Hales, chief nursing officer, congratulate Jody Houser, RN, Nursing Excellence Award recipient. 

KEY WEST, Fla – JULY 10, 2026 – Lower Keys Medical Center offers free classes and support groups to the community.  

Stroke Support Group: For stroke survivors and their loved ones to share challenges and successes with others in a positive and encouraging environment. The group fosters improved communication among families and encourages active involvement of patients with aphasia who have difficulty communicating. As recommended by the American Stroke Association, participants are encouraged to bring their primary support person. Upcoming dates: July 30, August 25, September 30. 

Joint Replacement Seminars: For individuals considering or scheduled for total joint replacement, the free seminar covers important topics related to the rehabilitation journey, including explanations of the various procedures, home safety considerations, pre-surgical exercises, preparations for surgery, expectations during the hospital stay, post-discharge care, physical therapy, wound care and rehab equipment. Attendees will meet the rehabilitation team, and are encouraged to bring a partner or caregiver. Lunch is included as part of the seminar. Upcoming dates: July 22, August 26, September 23. 

Breastfeeding and Lactation: A certified lactation counselor from the Department of Health – Monroe County provides helpful information including benefits of breastfeeding, how to prepare, latching and positioning, feeding cues, milk supply, common challenges and solutions, and breastfeeding support. Attendees are encouraged to bring a support person. Classes are available in English and Spanish. Upcoming dates: July 23, August 26, September 17.  
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Childbirth Education: A collaboration with The Florida Keys Healthy Start Coalition, the four-hour class helps parents prepare for labor and delivery. Topics include comfort options, coping skills, preparing for a hospital stay, engaging a support team, signs and stages of labor, and newborn and postpartum care. Attendees receive lunch and a tour of the maternity unit, and are encouraged to bring a partner or support person. Upcoming dates: July 18, August 15. 

For information on other dates, times, and registration, visit LKMC.com/classes-events-programs.  
About Lower Keys Medical Center 

Lower Keys Medical Center is an acute care community hospital offering 24 hour emergency department services. Accreditations include The Joint Commission Acute Care Hospital Program and Primary Stroke Center, American College of Cardiology Chest Pain Center, the American College of Radiology – Mammography, and the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission - Echocardiography. The hospital is recognized by Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) with a 4 Star quality rating.  

KEY WEST, FL, JULY 2, 2026 – Lower Keys Medical Center has received the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines® - Stroke Gold Plus quality achievement award for its commitment to ensuring people experiencing stroke receive timely, appropriate treatment based on nationally recognized, research-based guidelines, ultimately helping to save lives and reduce disability.
 
Stroke is the No. 4 cause of death and a leading cause of disability in the U.S, according to the American Heart Association’s 2026 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics Report. A stroke occurs when a blood vessel supplying the brain is blocked by a clot or ruptures, preventing blood and oxygen from reaching brain tissue. When this happens, brain cells begin to die. Early detection and rapid treatment are critical to improving survival, minimizing disability and supporting faster recovery.
 
Get With The Guidelines brings the expertise of the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association into hospitals nationwide, helping ensure patient care is aligned with the latest research- and evidence-based guidelines. Get With The Guidelines - Stroke is an in-hospital program designed to improve stroke care through consistent adherence to these guidelines, which can minimize long-term effects of stroke and help prevent death.
 
“Lower Keys Medical Center is committed to improving patient care by adhering to the latest treatment guidelines,” said Drew Bigby, Lower Keys Medical Center chief executive officer. “Get With The Guidelines helps our teams put proven science into practice every day. Research shows this approach can support better recovery, with the ultimate goal of helping people in Key West and the lower Keys live longer, healthier lives.”
 
Each year, participating hospitals qualify for the award by demonstrating how their organization has committed to providing quality stroke care. In addition to following clinical treatment guidelines, Get With The Guidelines participants also provide education to help people manage their recovery and ongoing health at home.
 
“We are proud to recognize Lower Keys Medical Center for its commitment to caring for people experiencing stroke,” said Steven Messe, M.D., volunteer chair of the American Heart Association Stroke System of Care Advisory Group. “Participation in Get With The Guidelines is associated with improved patient outcomes, including greater likelihood of being discharged home, fewer readmissions and lower mortality rates — a meaningful benefit for health care systems, families and communities.”
 
Lower Keys Medical Center also received the American Heart Association’s Target: Stroke℠ Honor Roll Elite award. To qualify for this recognition, hospitals must meet specific criteria that reduce the time between an eligible patient’s arrival at the hospital and treatment with thrombolytic therapy.
 
The hospital also received the American Heart Association’s Target: Type 2 Diabetes™ Honor Roll award. Target: Type 2 Diabetes aims to ensure patients with Type 2 diabetes, who might be at higher risk for complications, receive the most up-to-date, evidence-based care when hospitalized due to stroke.
 
Additionally, Lower Keys Medical Center received the Get With The Guidelines® - Stroke Rural Recognition Silver which recognizes that people who live in rural communities live an average of three years fewer than urban counterparts and have a 40% higher likelihood of developing heart disease and face a 30% increased risk for stroke mortality, according to an American Heart Association’s Presidential Advisory on Rural Health.
 
Lower Keys Medical Center is a Primary Stroke Center, having met specific scientific guidelines, featuring a comprehensive system for rapid diagnosis and treatment of stroke patients admitted to the emergency department.

KEY WEST, FL - JUNE 25, 2026 - The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently released its 2026 Overall Hospital Quality Star Ratings, and for the second year in a row, Lower Keys Medical Center received an “above average” CMS 4 Star Rating. The CMS Star Ratings consider 52 quality measures related to mortality, safety of care, readmission patient experience, and timely and effective care and are publicly reported on the CMS CareCompare site – https://www.medicare.gov/care-compare/. 
 
The Overall Hospital Quality Star Ratings were first published in July 2016 to provide consumers and their healthcare teams with consistent comparison among hospitals, enabling them to make decisions about their care. Lower Keys Medical Center is one of less than 1,000 hospitals, or 30% of all hospitals, receiving 4 stars out of 5 possible. 
 
Drew Bigby, chief executive officer at Lower Keys Medical Center, credits the care teams at the hospital for consistently and vigilantly following best practices, collaborating with physicians and nursing leaders, and providing continuing education and training.
 
“We are focused every day on delivering safe, quality care to our patients. Our teams prioritize patient experience and seek input from our patients, their families, our community, and each other on how to continuously improve outcomes and communication. We also follow strict protocols to identify patients at risk for or experiencing infections. We are pleased to maintain our 4 Star rating from CMS,” said Bigby. 
 
According to CMS, the CareCompare site provides quality measure information including:

• Process of care measures that show whether or not a health care provider gives recommended care based on guidelines, standards of care or practice parameters – the treatment known to give the best results for most patients with a particular condition.
• Outcome measures reflecting the results of care.
• Patient experience of care as measured by a national, standardized survey of hospital patients about their experiences during a recent inpatient hospital stay.
• Imaging efficiency patterns, care transitions, Emergency Department -throughput efficiency, care coordination, and patient safety.

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 About Lower Keys Medical Center
Lower Keys Medical Center is an acute care community hospital offering 24 hour emergency department services. Accreditations include The Joint Commission Acute Care Hospital Program and Primary Stroke Center, American College of Cardiology Chest Pain Center, the American College of Radiology – Mammography, and the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission - Echocardiography. The hospital is recognized by Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) with a 4 Star quality rating. 

KEY WEST, FL, JUNE 19, 2026 – Lower Keys Medical Center now offers on demand access to infectious disease specialists through a new telemedicine program. When the healthcare team identifies the need for an infectious disease consult for a patient, they can request a telemedicine consult from board certified infectious disease physicians. The consult notes are documented in the patient's medical record and the patient’s plan of care is then shared directly with the attending physician. 
 
Drew Bigby, chief executive officer at Lower Keys Medical Center, said the telemedicine infectious disease program is another way the hospital is investing in providing specialty care close to home. "Studies have shown that using telemedicine for infectious disease consultation provides rapid, round-the-clock access to expertise from specialists. I appreciate our staff who have worked on the technology and training necessary for us to provide this service." 

Nationwide, the number of infectious disease physicians has continued to decline. Telemedicine is an evidence-based approach to providing expert clinical care that can result in fewer delays in treatment, shorter hospital stays and fewer transfers out of the local community for care. 

​KEY WEST, FL, JUNE 12, 2026 – Lower Keys Medical Center held its annual medical staff leadership election, effective June 1, 2026.
 
Lawrence W. Blass, M.D., FACS, general surgeon, was elected President/Chief of Staff, a volunteer, one-year leadership position serving as a liaison between hospital administration and Lower Keys Medical Center’s medical staff, overseeing the quality of clinical care and physician performance, and assisting in aligning the hospital’s vision and medical staff goals.
 
Dr. Blass, a native of the Florida Keys, is a graduate of University of Miami Miller School of Medicine where he also completed his residency and served as Chief Resident. He is board certified by the American Board of Surgery and is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. Dr. Blass replaces Dr. John Norris. 
 
Drew Bigby, chief executive officer at Lower Keys Medical Center, said, "We appreciate Dr. Norris and Dr. Blass for their continued service to Lower Keys Medical Center. These are volunteer roles and we are grateful to them and the full Medical Executive Committee for their commitment to our patients, our staff and the community." 
 
Other members of the Medical Executive Committee for the 2026 – 2027 term are:
 
John Norris, M.D., Vice President
Melanie Youshak, M.D., Secretary/Treasurer
David Perry, M.D., Chief of Surgery
Ayden Atilla, M.D., Chief of Medicine
Stanley Santiago, M.D., member at large
William Schnapp, M.D., member at large
 
 
About Lower Keys Medical Center
Lower Keys Medical Center is an acute care community hospital offering 24 hour emergency department services. Accreditations include The Joint Commission Acute Care Hospital Program and Primary Stroke Center, American College of Cardiology Chest Pain Center, the American College of Radiology – Mammography, and the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission - Echocardiography. The hospital is recognized by Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) with a 4 Star quality rating. 

KEY WEST, FL, MAY 14, 2026 - Lower Keys Medical Center thanks the participants in the annual hurricane evacuation drill held on May 7, 2026, at the medical center and at NAS Key West Boca Chica. The event is a collaboration between multiple emergency management, military, EMS, nursing and transport teams, which simulates the preparation, hand-off of medical records, transport and aircraft loading of patients unable to be discharged safely from the hospital in the event of a major hurricane. Volunteers posing as patients were stabilized and evaluated, then transported to NAS Key West and boarded onto the Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron aircraft. In an actual evacuation, those patients would be flown to a medical facility outside of the storm's impact. 
 
“We appreciate all of our participants in the live action practice that strengthens our response in the event of an imminent hurricane,” said Drew Bigby, chief executive officer at Lower Keys Medical Center. “We are fortunate to have strong working relationships with the local, regional and national agencies that work together in times of crisis.”
 
Prior to the evacuation drill, members of the North Carolina Air National Guard and a C-CAT critical care team from South Carolina Air National Guard, conducted training for EMS and nursing staff on lifting, carrying, transferring and boarding the specialized litter systems with patients into the custom-fitted aircraft. 
 
The Key West Military Affairs Committee hosted a post-training luncheon for the participants. John Picco, President of the Military Affairs Committee and a retired fighter pilot, welcomed and addressed the teams. 
 
Participants included North Carolina, South Carolina, Oklahoma, Delaware and Florida Air National Guard, NAS Key West, US Coast Guard, Monroe County and City of Key West Emergency Management, Monroe County Sheriff's Office, Key West Police and Fire Departments, Monroe County Fire Rescue, E-Care Ambulance, Southernmost Medical Transport, Keys Health Ready Coalition, Florida Department of Health - Monroe County, and hospital staff.
 
 
About Lower Keys Medical Center
Lower Keys Medical Center is an acute care community hospital offering 24 hour emergency department services. Accreditations include The Joint Commission Acute Care Hospital Program and Primary Stroke Center, American College of Cardiology Chest Pain Center, the American College of Radiology – Mammography, and the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission - Echocardiography. The hospital is recognized by Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) with a 4 Star quality rating.

KEY WEST, FL – May 7, 2026 – Lower Keys Medical Center hosted an awards ceremony honoring Sara Squire, R.N., and Jean Pierre, environmental services housekeeper, for the care and service they provide to patients and staff.
 
Sara Squire, a registered nurse who specializes in wound care, was nominated for the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses by a patient who had an extended hospitalization for recovery after a surgery. Tina Moody of Key West noted Sara’s patience, clinical skill, and deep compassion.
 
“Sara made an extraordinary difference in my recovery. She never rushed, never made me feel like I was asking too many questions and always ensured I understood each step. Her calm, patient teaching transformed something frightening into something manageable,” Tina said. “As she cared for my surgical wound, her expertise and gentle approach made it far less stressful. She paid close attention to the healing process and explained what she was doing and why. Her thoroughness and consistency gave me real confidence that I was healing properly. Although Sara covers the whole hospital, she always made me feel like I was her only patient. She gave her full attention, listened carefully, and treated me as a person, not just another room number. She didn’t just treat my wounds, she cared for me.”
 
Sara was presented with a hand-carved Healer’s Touch sculpture, a DAISY certificate, and a signature bouquet of daisies. The DAISY Foundation is a not-for-profit organization that was established in memory of J. Patrick Barnes, who died in 1999 from complications of an autoimmune disease. His family was inspired to create the Foundation to honor nurses who make a profound difference in the lives of their patients and families.  
 
Jean Pierre, night shift housekeeper in environmental services, was nominated by multiple nurses in labor and delivery for the Sunflower Award, which recognizes non-nursing staff who contribute significantly to the patient care team and provide exemplary patient care.
 
Coworkers said, “Jean is proactive in rounding on the units to see if we have any needs. He takes care of the nurses and patients by always coming to clean and remove trash and always goes above and beyond, leaving our rooms spotless so we can welcome the next patient. Jean always has a smile on his face and answers calls at night with no hesitation. He has been our night shift housekeeper for the last 19 years and every night he comes into work and checks to see if we need anything before he starts his shift. He is dedicated and passionate about the work that he does and has great customer service skills.”
 
Jean was presented with a Sunflower certificate, a Sunflower pin, and a bouquet of sunflowers at the reception.
 
City of Key West Vice Mayor, Donie Lee, who attended the reception, read and presented a proclamation honoring Nurses Week 2026.

KEY WEST, Fla. – MAY 1, 2026 – In collaboration with multiple national and local emergency preparedness organizations, Lower Keys Medical Center will hold an inpatient hurricane evacuation simulation on May 7, 2026, at multiple locations. 
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Lower Keys Medical Center sponsors a hurricane evacuation drill yearly to test preparedness for a major hurricane that would require hospitalized patients to be evacuated to a safer area of the mainland until the storm has passed. This choreographed exercise involves hospital staff, emergency management, ground and air transportation, fire rescue/EMS, law enforcement, multiple military branches, meteorologists, and community health organizations. To ensure the safety and efficiency of all participants, the drill is not open to the public. 
 
The drill begins with modeling a fictional scenario of a developing system, identifying the steps in the week and days leading up to the storm, and the communications and preparations involved through those steps. In this situation, community partners and military resources are requested through the county Emergency Operations Center following established county emergency management protocols.
 
The physical aspects of the drill include training by the Air National Guard to transfer volunteers portraying patients on special litters from the hospital setting into ground transport and onto the Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron aircraft, staged at NAS Key West. In an actual evacuation, the patients would then be flown to a receiving hospital out of the range of impact. The drill concludes with a meeting of all organizations to evaluate and critique interagency communications and collaboration.
 
Tadd Mallard, RN, LKMC Director of Emergency Services and Emergency Management Chair, said, “We participate in drills throughout the year simulating various emergency scenarios. Evacuating patients who cannot be safely discharged is sometimes necessary, as in Hurricane Irma. These exercises help us and our community partners instinctively react to processes that have been hardwired. The drills also continue to strengthen our relationships which is crucial in an emergency evacuation. We successfully and safely evacuated patients during Hurricane Irma in 2017 because everyone knew their roles and executed them with familiarity and experience.”
 
“Being prepared is part of our commitment to the safety of our patients, community, and staff, which is our highest priority," said Drew Bigby, Chief Executive Officer of Lower Keys Medical Center. “We are grateful to all of our national and community partners for their annual support.”
 
Active participants in the annual hurricane evacuation drill include the Air National Guard, NAS Boca Chica, US Coast Guard, Monroe County and City of Key West Emergency Management, Coast Guard Emergency Management, Monroe County Sheriff’s Office and Trauma Star, Key West Police and Fire Departments, Monroe County Fire Rescue, National Weather Service/NOAA, E-Care Ambulance, Southernmost Medical Transport, Keys Health Ready Coalition, and the Florida Department of Health – Monroe County. 
 
About Lower Keys Medical Center
Lower Keys Medical Center is an acute care community hospital offering 24 hour emergency department services. Accreditations include The Joint Commission Acute Care Hospital Program and Primary Stroke Center, American College of Cardiology Chest Pain Center, the American College of Radiology – Mammography, and the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission - Echocardiography. The hospital is recognized by Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) with a 4 Star quality rating. 

​KEY WEST, FL, APRIL 24, 2026 - Your heart is one of the most important organs as it continually pumps oxygen and nutrient-rich blood around your body and any disruption can be life threatening. The coronary arteries that supply blood flow and oxygen to the heart can get clogged, and are the cause of heart attacks. Knowing five key symptoms can help you take quick action to save your life or someone else’s in an emergency.
 
Symptom 1: Chest pain or discomfort triggered by physical or emotional distress, especially in the center or on the left side of the chest, could be a sign that blood flow to the heart is being limited and is the most commonly recognized symptom of a heart attack. The feeling can last for more than a few minutes or repeatedly come and go. A squeezing sensation or feeling of fullness is often described as feeling like an elephant is sitting on the chest.
 
Symptom 2: Do not ignore discomfort that radiates to other parts of the body, including the neck, shoulders, arms, back or jaw.
 
Symptom 3: Sudden shortness of breath can be a sole symptom and can also happen when the blockage keeps the heart from pumping enough blood and causes fluid build-up in the lungs.
 
Symptom 4: Unusual or unexplained extreme tiredness can be a symptom of an impending heart attack.
 
Symptom 5: General malaise, nausea and lightheadedness can also mask heart attack symptoms.
 
“Knowing the symptoms of a heart attack can save a life because timely treatment is critical,” said Cesar Jara, M.D., FACC, board-certified interventional cardiologist with Keys Medical Group Cardiology and Lower Keys Medical Center cardiac catheterization lab. “The more time that passes without restoring blood flow, the greater the damage to the heart muscle. That damage is irreversible in some cases and increases the risk of sudden death.”
 
Lifesaving interventions have reduced deaths from heart attacks by 90 percent since 1970, but about 805,000 people still experience a heart attack each year in the United States.
 
Lower Keys Medical Center is committed to delivering timely treatment for heart attacks to support the best possible outcomes. The cardiac catheterization lab provides 24/7 interventional cardiology coverage so that patients can receive treatment within the optimal time frame of 90 minutes or less.  
 
If you, or someone you are with is experiencing unusual symptoms, call 9-1-1. 
 
Dr. Jara added, “If you have chest pain or discomfort, unusual fatigue or shortness of breath – take the symptoms seriously. It’s much better to get medical attention and act fast.”
 
Lower Keys Medical Center is accredited by the American College of Cardiology as a Chest Pain Center.