​KEY WEST, Fl (October 3, 2025) – Clotting of our blood supports recovery from injury, but when blood clots are in the body and don’t break up or dissolve as they should, they can block the flow of blood with serious consequences. On average, one person in the U.S. dies from a clot-caused death every six seconds.
 
Keys Medical Group Pulmonologist Marc Csete, M.D., says everyone is at risk for clots, regardless of age or gender. Pregnancy, treatment for cancer, having a major surgery, or hospitalization for several days in a row can increase the risk. Being overweight, having diabetes or high cholesterol, a family history of blood clots, smoking or being over the age of 60 can also elevate your risk.
 
“Clots can occur suddenly and when the flow of blood stops, the impact can be significant, even fatal,” says Dr. Csete. “Symptoms vary depending on where the clot happens – in the lungs, legs, arms, heart or brain – but the need for timely medical care is consistent. There are more treatment options to mitigate the impact the sooner the blockage is identified.”
 
Pain is often experienced where the clot is located, whether in the arm, lower leg, or even the stomach. If one limb is suddenly more swollen than the other, this could also be a symptom.
 
A pulmonary embolism occurs when a clot is in the lungs. The symptoms could be a fast pulse, chest pain that worsens with a deep breath, bloody cough, shortness of breath, or a faster than normal or irregular heartbeat. Sometimes, death can occur without warning.
 
With deep vein thrombosis, when a clot is in a large vein such as the lower leg or an arm, the concern is the clot might move into the lungs. You might experience sudden swelling in your leg or arm, pain or tenderness not caused by an injury, or the skin may be warm to the touch or red with swelling or pain.
 
Get medical attention immediately if you experience any of these symptoms. A medical exam can help determine what is causing your symptoms and the provider may recommend a diagnostic scan. Treatment with drugs to break up and dissolve some kinds of clots may be possible if they can be given within a few hours of when symptoms start.
 
“Your best bet in preventing clots is knowing and managing your risks,” says Dr. Csete. “There are a number of actions you can take to support your health.”
 
Dr. Csete says regular movement is one of your best acts of prevention. Make it a point not to sit or stay still too long, especially after a long flight, travel or surgery. When at your desk, flex your legs, feet and toes and get up to move frequently. If you must sit for an extended time, consider wearing compression socks or clothes. Before surgery, talk with your doctor about blood clots. And if you have any risk factors, talk to your doctor about whether you need to be on preventive medication.
 
Basic actions for health and wellness also apply, such as eating a heart-healthy diet and maintaining a healthy weight. If you smoke, quit. Manage your stress which can contribute to high blood pressure and other heart disease risk factors, and be sure you are controlling chronic conditions such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes.
 
Keys Medical Group Pulmonology is located at 1111 12th Street, Suite 205, Key West. Appointments may be requested at KeysMedicalGroup.com. 

KEY WEST, FL – SEPTEMBER 26, 2025 – October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, an opportunity to focus on lifestyle and risk factors associated with breast cancer, as well the importance of breast cancer screening. Mammogram screenings are the best way for women to find breast cancer early, when it is easier to treat and before there are symptoms. However, according to the CDC, at least 25% of women ages 50-74 have not been screened for breast cancer in the past two years.
 
Lower Keys Medical Center’s Women’s Imaging Center is scheduling mammography appointments throughout October and through the remainder of the year. Appointments may be scheduled Monday through Friday between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. Saturday hours will be offered from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on October 4th, October 11th, and October 18th. For women of average risk, the American College of Radiology recommends annual mammograms starting at age 40. Different guidelines apply to women at higher risk. For American College of Radiology recommendations, visit acr.org.
 
Appointments are on a first-come, first-served basis. An order from a physician or qualified healthcare provider is required. All mammogram reports will be sent to the physician/provider, and the patient is responsible for follow-up. Check with your insurance provider to confirm coverage for a screening mammogram.
 
“The first step is for women to review the guidelines for breast cancer screening, and understand if there are any factors such as a family history of breast cancer that puts them at higher risk,” said Stanley Santiago, M.D., FACOG, board-certified obstetrician and gynecologist with Keys Medical Group. “Whether starting at age 40 or earlier, a screening mammogram is one of the most important ways that women can take care of their health. The goal is to detect breast cancer at the earliest stages when it is easier to treat and before a tumor is big enough to feel or cause symptoms.”
 
Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer. Across the U.S., 279,731 new female breast cancer cases were reported in 2022, 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. However, Dr. Santiago says many patients develop breast cancer without substantial risk factors, which is why mammograms are so important.
 
“About half of all breast cancer diagnoses occur in women with no risk factors other than being female and getting older”, said Dr. Santiago. “That is why creating awareness and educating women about the benefits of mammography is critical. This is a disease that has a 99% survival rate if it is found before it spreads to other parts of the body, which is why we urge all women to adhere to screening guidelines.”
 
Dr. Santiago added that certain lifestyle factors, like maintaining a healthy weight, engaging in regular physical activity and limiting alcohol use can reduce the risk of breast cancer. Most health insurance plans are required to cover screening mammograms every 1 to 2 years for women beginning at age 40 with no out-of-pocket cost (like a co-pay, deductible, or co-insurance).
 
To schedule a mammogram at the Lower Keys Medical Center Women’s Imaging Center, call (305)294-5535, extension 3308. To find a primary care physician or an OBGyn, visit LKMC.com/find-a-doctor. Lower Keys Medical Center is accredited by the American College of Radiology for Mammography.

KEY WEST, Fla. – September 16, 2025 – At age 43, Michael Hales, MSN, RN, was a nursing leader in a Texas hospital, who didn't give much thought to his own healthcare. Like many men, and healthcare professionals, he didn't prioritize routine check ups because he had a busy life and he wasn't experiencing any symptoms that would warrant a visit to the doctor. When his facility was promoting a men's health screening, he decided to participate because he was involved with the initiative and wanted to set a positive example. To his surprise the screening—which involved a questionnaire, physical, bloodwork, and conversation with a provider—revealed a hormone deficiency and high blood pressure which he began treatment to address. 
 
This year, during a routine visit to his PCP – which he now prioritizes –  he was diagnosed with a thyroid disorder. Michael, who is Chief Nursing Officer at Lower Keys Medical Center said, "It made sense, my energy was down a little, it felt more difficult to complete physical tasks." 
 
Now Michael thinks differently about his own health and longevity, paying more attention to factors that impact his wellness like diet, stress, and exercise. "I'm looking for proactive ways to address my own health, not just taking medications to manage my conditions, but lifestyle changes that can reverse them and prevent future issues. My wife and I started changing our diets and engaging in cardiovascular activity. Those positive changes can impact other aspects of my health such as sleep apnea and stress management." 
 
Michael's goal now is to reverse and prevent healthcare conditions that can limit quality of life. He encourages other people who may not get regular check-ups to prioritize an annual wellness check, which may identify potential health issues before they become more serious. 
 
At 49 years old, Michael said he and his wife have started participating in 5K runs, like the recent event in honor of Jimmy Buffet, and the upcoming Fantasy Fest 5K and Thanksgiving Turkey Trot. "I feel much more motivated and have a better state of mind."
 
Lower Keys Medical Center is offering a free email series on longevity, called "Enjoy the Ride: Navigating a longer, healthier life" to provide helpful information on lifestyle changes that can allow community members to increase not just lifespan, but healthspan, living as long as one can in the best health possible. Sign up at https://www.lkmc.com/enjoy-the-ride?utm_campaign=enewsletter-sign-up&utm_source=hospital-website-global&utm_medium=banner 
 
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, Fla, September 12, 2025 – Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of death from cancer in the U.S. and the statistics on the rates by age have surprised the medical community. Between 2012 and 2021, more colorectal cancer cases have been identified in adults under 50 each year while the rates for adults 50 and older have been going down over the same period. The American Cancer Society estimates about 107,320 new cases of colon cancer and 46,950 new cases of rectal cancer will be found in 2025.
​
Board-certified Gastroenterologist Orlando Lopez-Roman, M.D., FACG, AGAF, says colorectal cancer screening is a critical tool to fight the disease, because precancerous growths can be detected and removed before they develop into cancer. The American Cancer Society and US Preventive Services task force both recommend the age to start screening for colorectal cancers is 45 for those at average risk.
 
For patients at higher risk, their physician may advise having an initial screening before age 45 or more frequent screening. These risk factors include:
●      A personal or family history of colorectal cancer, or of certain types of polyps;
●      A personal history of ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease;
●      A history of radiation in the abdomen or pelvis, in treatment of previous cancer(s);
●      A genetic and hereditary colorectal cancer syndrome, such as familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) or Lynch syndrome.
 
In addition to colonoscopy, the most commonly known screening, several types of tests can screen for colorectal cancer. Fecal occult blood test, sigmoidoscopy, virtual colonoscopy and DNA stool test are also used.
 
"While we are doing a better job of screening for and removing polyps before they become cancerous, the overall lifestyle and diet choices of our population are driving up the risk and incidence of these cancers,” says Dr. Lopez-Roman..
 
Dr. Lopez-Roman says that beyond regular screenings, there are a number of lifestyle factors you can manage to reduce your risk of developing colorectal cancer. These include maintaining a healthy body weight; managing your Type 2 diabetes; minimizing red meats in your diet such as beef, pork, lamb and liver, and processed meats; avoiding smoking; and limiting your alcohol intake. Just as with heart health, staying active and maintaining a healthy diet that includes plenty of fruits, vegetables and whole grains and limiting red meats and sugary drinks, may lower your risk.
 
Depending on your age, a colonoscopy screening may be a covered wellness test under your insurance plan – and most plans cover a colonoscopy completely as a follow-up test or diagnostic tool.
 
If you have a family history of colon cancer, or have reached age 45 or more, talk with your primary care provider to see if it’s time for you to begin screening, which test is right for you and how frequently to be screened. Dr. Lopez-Roman and Grace Maliberan, MSN, APRN, FNP-C, are with Keys Medical Group Gastroenterology, 1111 12th Street, Suite 210, Key West, FL. KeysMedicalGroup.com. 

​KEY WEST, Fla. – SEPTEMBER 5, 2025 – Angela Berube is a local business owner in the Lower Keys. After genetic testing indicated she was at high risk of breast cancer, she wanted to be proactive about her health. However, following surgeries and reconstruction on the mainland, she developed complications and a severe, resistant infection. Throughout several weeks of treatment at home with oral antibiotics, her condition continued deteriorating.  
 
Unable to get in touch with her surgeon in Miami, Berube went to the Lower Keys Medical Center emergency department after consulting an acquaintance, LKMC hospitalist Dr. Lori Leonhardt. Berube was no stranger to Lower Keys Medical Center—she worked in the facility a few years ago, but never had more than routine care there.  
 
Berube received care in the ER and was admitted. She credits the hospitalist’s amazing communication and attention as being pivotal in her care. "After treating my infection with IV antibiotics for a few days, Dr. Leonhardt looped in a local surgeon for a consultation. I had a successful emergency surgery at LKMC less than 18 hours after my rupture, helping my mindset shift from being afraid I might die to feeling secure that I was in great hands."
 
For eight days, Berube was an inpatient and was overwhelmed by the friendly, personal and warm care she received, a sharp contrast from the larger institution where she was initially treated on the mainland.
 
"All of the doctors and nurses were so wonderful - they checked in on me daily and made sure that I knew the plan going forward.  From the moment I arrived at LKMC in the ER to the day I was discharged home, I was treated like I mattered.  I've had quite a few hospital stays in the past year on the mainland, but I have never felt this cared for.  What I've experienced here from everyone —food services, housekeeping, the inpatient unit, all the physicians, including Dr. Samantha Sterkel and Dr. Leonhardt—made me feel seen, heard, personally cared for and safe. The personal attention, kindness, and urgency made it seem that I was the only priority, although everyone was caring for other patients as well."
 
Following her treatment and surgery at LKMC, Berube was discharged with a clean bill of health and a new appreciation for routine daily activities. 
 
"I'm excited to get back to the things I love: getting back to work in my business, traveling to see our children and grandchildren, swimming in the pool with my husband and just enjoying this beautiful island."
 
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, and American College of Cardiology Chest Pain Center.

KEY WEST, Fla (AUGUST 27, 2025) – Unlike many seasonal illnesses or diseases, shingles can develop at any time of year.

Usually thought of as a childhood disease, the chickenpox can have lasting effects well into adulthood because the virus remains inactive in the body even after recovery. Years after you have had the chickenpox, the virus can reappear in the form of shingles.

One in three Americans will experience shingles in their lifetime according to the Centers for Disease and Control and Prevention. There is no cure for shingles, but there are a variety of treatment options that can make symptoms less serious.  

“Shingles cause a blistering rash most often on either side of the torso,” said Jennifer Shue, APRN, FNP-BC, with Keys Medical Group Primary Care at Searstown. “The rash lasts two to four weeks, but some people still experience pain after the rash goes away.”

Adults over the age of 50 are at risk of developing shingles, but the disease can appear in younger individuals who have had the chickenpox. Other risk factors include having other diseases such as HIV/AIDS, having undergone radiation or chemotherapy, taking certain medications.

The first symptom of shingles is pain, which, depending on the location, can sometimes be mistaken for other issues. A rash appears typically after the pain, but some experience the discomfort of shingles without a rash. Other signs of shingles include:
​
·       Burning, numbness or tingling
·       Sensitivity to touch
·       Fluid-filled blisters
·       Itching
·       Fever
·       Headache
·       Sensitivity to light
·       Fatigue

Visit a physician promptly if you have symptoms of shingles, especially if you experience pain or rash around the eye, you are 70 years or older, you or someone in your family has a weakened immune system or the rash is widespread and painful.

For people who have had chickenpox, shingles is not contagious from others. However, someone who has not had chickenpox and who has direct contact with the shingles rash could contract chickenpox, not shingles. Chickenpox can be very dangerous for anyone with a weak immune system, newborns and pregnant women, so if you have shingles do not come into physical contact with these people. When your blisters scab over you are not usually contagious any longer.

“There is no cure for shingles, but prescription drugs can speed recovery and reduce your risk of complications. Your provider may also prescribe creams or painkillers,” said Shue.“If you are 60 or older, it is recommended that you receive the shingles vaccine to help prevent contracting the disease.”

Some people experience complications from shingles if they do not receive the right treatment. Shingles around the eye can cause painful infections and vision loss. The disease can also damage nerve fibers causing pain even after the disease is gone. If shingles blisters are not treated properly they can become infected.
​
Talk to your primary care or family physician immediately if you suspect shingles. Keys Medical Group Primary Care at Searstown is open 7 days per week and is located at 3224 N. Roosevelt Boulevard in Key West. Appointments may be scheduled online at KeysMedicalGroup.com.
 
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, and American College of Cardiology Chest Pain Center.

KEY WEST, Fla – AUGUST 22, 2025 – Lower Keys Medical Center has developed an exciting new initiative designed to empower our community to live longer, healthier lives. Enjoy the Ride: Navigating a Longer, Healthier Life is a FREE 12-day, longevity-focused email series launching on September 15, 2025.

According to the CDC, Americans’ average lifespan is longer than ever – 74.8 years for men and 80 for women. But Americans’ healthspan – how long a person is healthy and free of disease – is decreasing. Baby Boomers are more likely than their parents to have cancer, lung disease, heart disease, diabetes, high cholesterol, obesity, gut issues, hearing problems, and mobility difficulties. Longevity merges lifespan and healthspan in the idea of growing older and staying healthy at the same time.

“Longevity takes into account not only a person’s chronological age, but also biological age,” says Giovanni Campanile, M.D., Keys Medical Group Cardiologist. “Age-related decline doesn’t have to be a foregone conclusion. With informed, proactive choices, at age 80, a person essentially could have the level of health expected at age 60.”
The Enjoy the Ride email series is designed to help people make proactive choices for long-term wellness. Daily road trip-themed emails include information about conditions most prevalent with aging, ways to prevent those diseases, and descriptions of how healthy choices can impact longevity. 

“We find people in their 30s are already considering longevity, especially if they have a family history of conditions like heart disease or dementia,” says Drew Bigby, Lower Keys Medical Center chief executive officer. “We’re happy to see this trend because it’s never too early to start thinking about what you want your future health to look like—and we want to help people map that for themselves.” 
​
To learn more about maintaining your brain, vision, hearing, heart, kidney, liver, gut, musculoskeletal and sleep health as you age, sign up for Enjoy the Ride: Navigating a Longer, Healthier Life, at LKMC.com/longevity. We’ll also give away prizes every day to help you on “the road” ahead.
 
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.

KEY WEST, Fla – AUGUST 15, 2025 – Lower Keys Medical Center offers free monthly education classes to the community as part of its mission to help people get well and live healthier.
 
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. Meet the rehabilitation team. Attendees receive lunch and are encouraged to bring a partner or caregiver.
 
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, Spanish and Haitian Creole.
 
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, preparation 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.
 
For information on 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, and American College of Cardiology Chest Pain Center.

Key West, FL (DATE) – Lower Keys Medical Center (LKMC) earned a 4-star overall hospital quality star rating in the most recent update from the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). The LKMC “above average” rating includes quality measures related to mortality, safety of care, readmissions, patient experience, and timely and effective care.
 
LKMC achieved a 4-star rating in 2022 and 2023, and received a 3-star rating in 2024. To re-establish its 4-star CMS rating, Lower Keys Medical Center made improvements in multiple patient experience measures including communication about medications, communications with nurses, quietness and staff responsiveness. Additional areas of advancement include fewer complications for inpatients, a reduction in length of stay for patients seeking care in the emergency department who did not require hospital admission, and a decrease in 30-day all-cause mortality rate for heart attack, heart failure and pneumonia patients.
 
“It takes a consistent commitment from our entire team to achieve an above average rating from CMS,” said Rosanna Mullen, Chief Quality Officer, Lower Keys Medical Center. “Every day, we are focused on delivering safe, quality care to our patients, and this four-star rating reflects those efforts. While we will celebrate this milestone, we will continue to be vigilant in our approach by collaborating with our physicians and nursing leaders, providing education and training and implementing processes that support continuous improvement.”
 
The Overall Hospital Quality Star Ratings were first published in July 2016, when CMS, along with key stakeholders, developed the methodology to calculate and display overall hospital-level quality using a star rating system. This was done to make the information easier to use and understand to help consumers and their healthcare provider make decisions on where to receive care.
 
“These Star Ratings provide consumers with transparency and data about the quality of care they can expect at any given hospital,” said Drew Bigby, CEO, Lower Keys Medical Center. “When patients come to Lower Keys Medical Center, we want them to be confident in the quality of care they will receive. I commend the team at LKMC for their unwavering commitment to safe, quality healthcare and a great patient experience.”

​Complex processes contribute to health and well-being

​KEY WEST, Fla – AUGUST 1, 2025 - We’re repeatedly told getting a good night’s sleep is important and Brien Tonkinson, M.D., Keys Medical Group Otolaryngology/ENT wants you to know some of the reasons why. Dr. Tonkinson says your overall health and well-being directly benefit from the complex internal work going on while you sleep. Sleep frees your body and brain to experience important changes and processes that, if not completed, can lead to less effective physical and mental functioning.
 
During sleep, your body’s metabolic rate lowers and conserves energy for repair and restoration. Your heart rate and blood pressure lower to allow the cardiovascular system to rest and recover. The brain experiences an active state of unconsciousness, where neural activity cleans out things the brain doesn’t need, consolidates memories, sends signals for the creation of hormones and strengthens communication between brain cells.
 
Effective sleep takes time, as the repairs and actions vary throughout multiple sleep cycles of rapid eye movement (REM) and non-REM sleep. In a typical sleep period, you will cycle through four or five times. People who get insufficient total sleep may not progress through enough sleep cycles to get the restorative benefits that come from proper rest.
 
“Sleep is a compilation of complex processes vital to our well-being and researchers are still learning how they work,” said Dr. Tonkinson. “While sleep is seemingly passive, your brain and body are engaged in activities that are necessary to live and linked to quality of life, both mentally and physically.”
 
According to the Sleep Foundation, sleep and the body’s internal clock, or circadian rhythm, play an important role in production and regulation of several hormones affecting overall health. As light exposure decreases, your body naturally produces melatonin to help you sleep. Levels of the stress hormone cortisol reach their lowest point a few hours after sleep begins and start climbing as you get closer to waking. Sleep can affect the production of growth hormone that supports bone and muscle development as well as levels of leptin and ghrelin that regulate your appetite.
 
“Creating good sleep habits plays an important part in getting a good night’s sleep,” said Dr. Tonkinson.  “Your body has a whole lot to get done each night in order to help you. When you have a sleepless night or a night where you wake up several times, there’s a decided impact on your functioning the next day.”
 
Beyond the lack of rest, sleep disturbance negatively impacts your hormonal rhythms and metabolism. Obesity, insulin insensitivity, diabetes, hormonal imbalance and appetite dysregulation can all result from insufficient, or poor quality sleep. And your brain’s ability to input and process information learned during the day or remember the following morning is notably less.
 
Dr. Tonkinson has several tips to help you get a better night’s sleep, including lowering the temperature in your bedroom, keeping the room dark and being consistent in your bedtime. Follow a relaxing routine to wind down your mind and body – try meditation, simple stretching, reading or taking a bath. Avoid alcohol or caffeine and try to minimize your intake of liquids two hours before bedtime so you are less likely to need to get up in the middle of the night.
 
If you have an ongoing problem getting a good night’s sleep, or frequently experience insomnia, an otolaryngologist can help determine the cause.