KEY WEST, FL – December 9, 2024 – In the midst of all the gifts and good times, the holidays also come with a higher risk for medical emergencies, including stroke.
 
Celebrations often include rich foods and alcohol, and busier social calendars can leave less time for exercise and sleep. Added stress from holiday preparations, shopping for gifts, increased expenses or traveling, along with many other holiday activities can affect the body. Taken together, these elements can increase blood pressure or development of heart arrhythmias and blood clotting disorders – all of which could trigger a stroke.
 
“During this busy time of year, it’s important to give yourself time to sleep and relax and to be mindful when eating and drinking to reduce your risk of an unexpected visit to the ER,” said Giovanni Campanile, M.D., FACC, of Keys Medical Group Cardiology. “Balance the indulgent treats with healthy choices, make time for physical activity, connect with friends and family, and make sure you know the signs and symptoms of stroke.”
 
Dr. Campanile shared the best stroke prevention tips, including:

• Choose healthy food and drinks
• Maintain a healthy weight
• Get regular physical activity
• Do not smoke
• Limit alcohol
• Control your medical conditions
• Check your cholesterol
• Control blood pressure
• Control diabetes
• Treat heart disease
• Take medication as prescribed

 
Stroke risk increases with age, but strokes can happen at any age. The most important thing to do is recognize the symptoms and get help without delay. Stroke symptoms can be remembered with
F-A-S-T:

• Face drooping
• Arm weakness on one side
• Speech difficulty/slurring
• Time to call 9-1-1

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Dr. Campanile added, “If you or someone you love experiences these symptoms – take action to get help quickly. Even if you’re not certain, get to the emergency room for evaluation by a medical professional. Stroke is a time-sensitive medical crisis and timely diagnosis helps to save your brain and life.”
 
Every second makes a difference so Dr. Campanile stresses the importance of calling 9-1-1 rather than driving to the emergency room yourself. The paramedics and emergency medicine technicians of EMS can begin assessment and treatment and communicate with the ER staff while on their way.
 
Stroke remains the fifth leading cause of death and the leading cause of long-term disability in the U.S. Early detection and treatment are key to improving survival, minimizing disability and accelerating recovery.
 
Lower Keys Medical Center is accredited by The Joint Commission and the American Heart Association as a Primary Stroke Center, and has received the American Heart Association “Get With The
Guidelines” Stroke – Gold Plus recognition.

KEY WEST, FL – December 5, 2024 – Lower Keys Medical Center welcomes Cesar Jara, MD, FSCAI, FACC, board-certified Interventional Cardiologist. Dr. Jara is a graduate of Peruvian University Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru, and completed his residency at University of Miami, Jackson Memorial Medical Center, Veterans Affairs Center, Miami, FL. He also completed fellowships in Cardiology and Interventional Cardiology at University of Miami, Jackson Memorial Medical Center, Veterans Affairs Center. Dr. Jara is fluent in English and Spanish.
 
In addition to Interventional Cardiology, Dr. Jara is board-certified in Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Diseases, and Cardiac Computed Tomography, and is a Fellow of the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions and the American College of Cardiology.
 
Dr. Jara joins Giovanni Campanile, MD, FACC, and April Gallagher, MSN, AGACNP-BC, in Keys Medical Group Cardiology. He will be hospital-based at Lower Keys Medical Center’s cardiac catheterization laboratory, specializing in cardiac catheterization, advanced coronary intervention, echocardiogram and transesophageal imaging.
 
Dr. Jara has advanced training in aortic valve disease, heart failure, and coronary interventions.
 
He has a special interest in care of patients with heart attacks and has extensive experience in opening and managing STEMI programs which provide specialized and timely treatment of the most severe type of heart attack, when a coronary artery becomes completely blocked.
 
Lower Keys Medical Center Interim CEO, Dr. Sal Perla, said, “We welcome Dr. Jara to our hospital, medical staff, and community. With more than 30 years of experience, Dr. Jara will enhance the care provided to our patients with cardiac conditions and help keep them here, in our community.”
 
Dr. Jara said, “My passion is building cardiovascular programs to improve health care and outcomes. I have started four successful programs in the last 10 years, two for treatment of heart attacks and two for treatment of aortic valve disease without open heart surgery. I look forward to doing the same at Lower Keys Medical Center and to contributing to community education in prevention and treatment of heart disease.”
 
Lower Keys Medical Center is accredited by the American College of Cardiology as a designated Chest Pain Center.

KEY WEST, FL – OCTOBER 1, 2024 – The American College of Radiology now recommends women who are at average risk for breast cancer get screening mammograms annually  starting at age 40. The recommendation is in response to the increase in breast cancer diagnoses in younger women and high mortality rates in Black women.
 
In Florida, breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer – at more than double the rate of lung cancer, which is the next most common cancer in women. Across the United States, 272,454 new female breast cancer cases were reported in 2021, the most recent year data is available.
 
Women with strong family histories of breast cancer, African Americans and those of Ashkenazi Jewish descent should have a risk assessment at age 25 to see if a screening mammogram is needed before they are 40. Women who were previously diagnosed with breast cancer are recommended to be screened with magnetic resonance imaging, an MRI.
 
“The best chance for survival of any cancer is early diagnosis and treatment,” said Stanley Santiago, M.D., MBA, FACOG, Keys Medical Group Obstetrics and Gynecology. Christiaan Webb, MD, added, “Mammograms can detect cancer before any symptoms, such as a lump, or spreading of the disease occurs, which can increase the likelihood of recovery.”
 
Early Detection Saves Lives
 
A screening mammogram can help detect breast cancer in its earliest and most treatable stages. Lower Keys Medical Center is encouraging women to schedule their screening now, because when breast cancer is detected early, life-saving treatment can begin right away.
 
October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. Lower Keys Medical Center’s Women’s Imaging Center is open Monday through Friday, 7:30 am – 4:30 pm, with extended hours on Saturday, October 5th and October 12th, from 9:00 am – 3:30 pm. Extended evening hours will be available on Tuesdays until 7:00 pm in October. Call (305)294-5535, extension 3308, for more information. A physician’s order is required.
 
Lower Keys Medical Center’s 2D and 3D mammography service at the Women’s Imaging Center is accredited by the American College of Radiology.
 
About Lower Keys Medical Center:
Lower Keys Medical Center is accredited by The Joint Commission in Hospital and Laboratory Programs, and as a Primary Stroke Center. The hospital is also accredited by the American College of Cardiology as a Chest Pain Center and by the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission in Echocardiography.

KEY WEST, FL – SEPTEMBER 17, 2024 – Lower Keys Medical Center hosted an awards ceremony honoring Irene Joy Pojas, RN, with the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses. The award recognizes nursing professionals for excellence in clinical care and for exceptional compassion.
 
Joy, a registered nurse on the night shift, was nominated by a former patient who noted the exceptional collaboration between Joy and the day shift nurse. Danny Trevor wrote in the nomination, “They worked closely together on my wellness journey. Between the two of them, I believe they saved my life. Joy kept my spirits up and was a great comfort to me through the dark hours. She kept me laughing and reassured me by explaining everything, especially the medications. She left me feeling much better every visit and gave me confidence that all would be well and I was okay.”
 
Joy 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.

KEY WEST, FL - AUGUST 26, 2024 - Lower Keys Medical Center and Keys Medical Group welcome Marc E. Csete, MD, MBA, pulmonologist and critical care physician. A graduate of The University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Dr. Csete completed his residency at Mount Sinai Medical Center and a fellowship at Jackson Memorial Hospital, in Miami, FL. Dr. Csete is board certified in pulmonology, critical care medicine, and internal medicine. Keys Medical Group Pulmonology provides diagnosis and treatment of lung and chest conditions such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), interstitial lung disease, pneumonia, and sleep disorders.  Diagnostic studies offered include: pulmonary function testing, methacholine and exercise provocation testing; evaluation of pulmonary nodules and masses; flexible video bronchoscopy with lung biopsy; and inpatient and outpatient consultations.
 
Dr. Csete has been practicing pulmonology and critical care medicine in South Florida for more than 30 years.  "I look forward to caring for the residents of this unique and beautiful community and to joining the skilled and experienced specialists in Keys Medical Group," said Dr. Csete.
 
David Clay, chief executive officer of Lower Keys Medical Center, said, "We welcome Dr. Csete to our medical staff and believe that our patients will appreciate his wealth of experience, compassion, and quality care." 
 
Keys Medical Group Pulmonology is located at 1111 12th Street, Suite 203, Key West, Florida. Appointments may be requested at Keys Medical Group.com or (305) 292-5867. New patients are welcome and most major insurances, including Medicare and Medicaid, are accepted. 

​KEY WEST, FL, August 15, 2024 – The midpoint of the year is a good time to review health insurance policies to ensure you will get the most out of plan benefits, especially if you have already met the annual deductible.

Many insurance plans will cover most, if not all, costs for eligible medical procedures and treatments once an individual meets the deductible and out of pocket maximum, making the second half of the year an opportune time to schedule any necessary or elective medical procedures that may have been postponed to reduce out-of-pocket expenses.

“We encourage individuals to take full advantage of the preventive care and medical services available through their health plans,” said David Clay, chief executive officer. “If you’re contributing toward your premium, it’s a ‘use it or lose it’ situation. The most cost effective way to get care is to utilize all of the benefits you’re entitled to before the year ends and deductible and out-of-pocket payment responsibilities reset.”

For example, someone who has a $2,000 deductible and a $4,000 out-of-pocket maximum is responsible for paying for many medical expenses until they reach the $2,000 threshold. Once they pass this mark, the insurer begins paying a larger portion of the cost of services eligible through in-network providers. When they reach the $4,000 out-of-pocket maximum, insurers will pay the total cost for eligible services.

Monthly premiums do not count toward deductibles, and in most cases, copays do not either. Once a new policy year begins, both deductible and out-of-pocket maximum contributions return back to zero.

Dr. Rocky Tingle, family physician with Keys Medical Group, highlights another critical aspect of leveraging health insurance benefits: preventive care.

“Regardless of whether your health insurance is through an employer, the Marketplace, or Medicare, preventive care is generally covered – including annual wellness appointments and immunizations”, said Dr. Tingle. “Many people skip an annual physical because they feel healthy, but these check ups can reveal underlying issues that might not yet show symptoms, when they are easier to treat.”
 
Key screenings, such as mammograms and colonoscopies, and elective surgeries, such as joint replacements and hysterectomies, may also be less expensive once you’ve reached your deductible. Plan early to give yourself time to schedule your procedure before the end of the year.

“We’re here to help patients make informed healthcare choices”, added Clay. “Our patient access team can provide financial estimates when a procedure is scheduled through One Call Scheduling at 305-292-9353.”

About: Lower Keys Medical Center is accredited by The Joint Commission in Hospital and Laboratory Programs, and as a Primary Stroke Center. The hospital is also accredited by the American College of Cardiology as a Chest Pain Center and by the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission in Echocardiography.

​KEY WEST, Fla., Aug. 8, 2024 – Chief Executive Officer David Clay has announced his plans to retire from Lower Keys Medical Center at the end of September, ending a 40-year career in healthcare. Clay will relocate to be closer to his father.
 
Since joining the hospital in 2016, Clay has advanced medical services and quality and led the team through Hurricane Irma and the COVID pandemic. More primary and specialty care is available locally through successful recruitment of primary care providers and specialists in gastroenterology, pulmonology, orthopedics, otolaryngology, obstetrics and gynecology, psychiatry and general and interventional cardiology.
 
“I’m committed to the success of Lower Keys Medical Center but I’ve come to the time in life where it’s important to provide my father with the support he needs,” said Clay. “Key West is a very special place and it has been my privilege to work alongside our board of trustees, physicians and employees to deliver and enhance the medical services available here in the Keys.”
 
Advanced cardiovascular services including cardiac catheterization and timely delivery of chest pain and stroke care by the emergency room are saving lives. Behavioral health has grown with the expansion of inpatient behavioral health and establishment of outpatient treatment resources.
 
“David is an excellent leader and a champion for quality medical care in the community,” said Dr. Robin Lockwood, Chairman, Lower Keys Medical Center Board of Trustees. “He has kept our hospital on a forward-looking path and established strong relationships in the community. We wish him all the best as he enters this new phase of life.”
 
Clay has served on the board of directors for the Greater Key West Chamber of Commerce and Sunrise Rotary since 2018, serving as 2023-2024 president of Sunrise Rotary. He is also on the board of Surgery Center of Key West.
 
Clay began his career as a respiratory therapist, and quickly advanced to leadership roles for hospitals in North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, and Oklahoma.  

The American Heart Association presents Get With The Guidelines - Stroke Gold Plus award for proven dedication to ensuring all stroke patients have access to best practices and life-saving car

KEY WEST, FL, AUGUST 7, 2024 – 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 stroke patients receive the most appropriate treatment according to nationally recognized, research-based guidelines, ultimately leading to more lives saved and reduced disability.
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Stroke is the No. 5 cause of death and a leading cause of disability in the U.S. A stroke occurs when a blood vessel that carries oxygen and nutrients to the brain is either blocked by a clot or bursts. When that happens, part of the brain cannot get the blood and oxygen it needs, so brain cells die. Early stroke detection and treatment are key to improving survival, minimizing disability and accelerating recovery times.

Get With The Guidelines puts the expertise of the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association to work for 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 for improving stroke care by promoting consistent adherence to these guidelines, which can minimize the long-term effects of a stroke and even prevent death.

“Lower Keys Medical Center is committed to improving patient care by adhering to the latest treatment guidelines,” said David Clay, CEO.  “Get With The Guidelines makes it easier for our teams to put proven knowledge and guidelines to work on a daily basis, which studies show can help patients recover better. The end goal is to ensure more people in the lower Keys and Key West can experience longer, healthier lives.”

Each year, program participants qualify for the award by demonstrating how their organization has committed to providing quality care for stroke patients. In addition to following treatment guidelines, Get With The Guidelines participants also educate patients to help them manage their health and recovery at home.
 
“We are incredibly pleased to recognize Lower Keys Medical Center for its commitment to caring for patients with stroke,” said Steven Messe, M.D., volunteer chairperson of the American Heart Association Stroke System of Care Advisory Group and professor of neurology and director of fellowships of neurology at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. “Participation in Get With The Guidelines is associated with improved patient outcomes, fewer readmissions and lower mortality rates – a win for health care systems, families and communities.”

KEY WEST, FL – July 29, 2024 - Keys Medical Group welcomes Meghan Updike, DNP, APRN, FNP-C. Updike is a certified family nurse practitioner who obtained her Doctorate of Nursing Practice at University of Arizona in Tucson, AZ. She joins Courtney Bonner, DO, board-certified internist, and Jennifer Shue, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC, in Keys Medical Group Primary Care at Searstown, effective July 29, 2024. Updike's clinical interests include primary care, acute and chronic disease management and preventive health services.
 
“I feel it is a privilege to care for individuals and families in our community. I believe patients have unique experiences that influence their needs, and that understanding those experiences helps us to customize care for them. Providing a compassionate and holistic approach to health care supports patients’ independence to achieve a quality of life that is meaningful to them,” Updike said.
 
"Meghan's skills and experience are a great fit with our practice. We look forward to working with her and giving the community members an opportunity to meet her," said Dr. Bonner. 
 
Keys Medical Group Primary Care at Searstown offers general medical care for patients 18 years of age and older, including disease diagnosis and management, preventive medicine, annual wellness visits for men and women, and treatment for hypertension, diabetes, lipid disorders and infectious diseases.  The office is located at 3224 North Roosevelt Boulevard, Key West, and is open 7 days per week. Appointments may be requested at (305)293-4073. 

​KEY WEST, FL - JULY 2, 2024 - Evacuating hospital patients in a major hurricane involves numerous entities which need to be specially trained and constantly prepared. The annual drill, conducted June 27th at Lower Keys Medical Center and NAS Key West Boca Chica, simulates the preparation of patients, handling of medical records, patient protection safeguards, transport of patients to NAS Key West airfield, training of EMS, military, law enforcement and volunteers on lifting techniques, and unloading and loading volunteers serving as patients into an Air National Guard aircraft. 
 
Lower Keys Medical Center chief executive officer David Clay said, "In 2017 when Hurricane Irma warranted a mandatory evacuation, all of the partner organizations knew exactly what to do thanks to this annual training and practice, successfully transporting hospital patients to safety. We are so grateful to all of our partners, especially the Air National Guard which provides the on the ground training and air transport. Thank you to North Carolina, Delaware, Florida and Kentucky Air National Guard teams and all of our partners, including Monroe County emergency management, Sheriff's office, Monroe County Fire Rescue, City of Key West Fire Rescue, NAS Key West, NAS Key West Fire Rescue, City of Key West Police, Elite Medical Transport, E Care Ambulance, Tennessee Williams Theater/College of the Florida Keys, and many volunteers, observers and staff."