KEY WEST, FL (APRIL 29, 2024) – The interventional cardiac catheterization laboratory at Lower Keys Medical Center has reopened following renovations. The improvements made include upgraded equipment to provide greater clarity for physicians, a new procedure table, and enlarged spaces for patient comfort in pre-procedure and recovery areas. Cardiac catheterization allows a cardiologist and a team of nurses and technicians to examine a patient’s heart and identify problems with heart function using minimally invasive technology. The procedure is used to diagnose and treat patients with stenosis or abnormalities of the heart. Other cardiac procedures offered at Lower Keys Medical Center include electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) and transesophogeal echocardiogram (TEE) to measure the heart's electrical activity and identify muscle damage; and nuclear medicine scans such as myocardial perfusion scans to reveal the structure and blood flow within the heart. Non-invasive imaging technologies including magnetic resonance angiography (MRA), computed tomography angiography (CTA), X-ray and echocardiograms, provide images of the heart muscle, valves, veins and arteries. David Clay, CEO of Lower Keys Medical Center said, “The upgrades and reopening of the cath lab continue our commitment to providing advanced care and services for the residents of the Lower Keys. It also builds upon our designation as a Chest Pain Center, accredited by the American College of Cardiology.” Giovanni Campanile, MD, Medical Director of Cardiology at Lower Keys Medical Center, said, "We are thrilled to have an upgraded cardiac catheterization laboratory and highly qualified interventional cardiologists who are experts in invasive cardiology for the improved treatment of patients in the Lower Keys."
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KEY WEST, FL (APRIL 24, 2024) – In May, Lower Keys Medical Center wants to help women be the picture of health through Keep Your Selfie Healthy: A Women’s Health Week Challenge email series. Starting May 13, Lower Keys Medical Center will provide seven daily emails about women’s health issues, including menopause, heart disease and the prevalence of autoimmune, pelvic floor, and sleep disorders. The series is intended to help women focus on “their selfies.” To sign up, visit LKMC.com/selfie. “Studies show that 50% of women skipped preventative healthcare last year, but those screenings are crucial,” says Courtney Bonner, D.O. at Keys Medical Group – Primary Care at Searstown. “Through proactive healthcare, we can better diagnose conditions early, when they’re the most treatable. Women have to remember that some conditions are asymptomatic or are often chalked up to being a ‘part of getting older,’ but your provider can help you navigate and treat those disorders.” After the Women’s Health Movement in the 1960s and 1970s, renowned medical institutions and healthcare systems began focusing more on women’s health. However, it wasn’t until 2000 that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services launched National Women’s Health Week, which starts each year on Mother’s Day. This observance stemmed from disparities in care for women and women’s tendencies to prioritize family and career, even if their health fell by the wayside. However, it’s important that women be proactive about their health. “Prioritizing screenings is essential because healthy women are better equipped to pursue their goals, contribute to their communities and enjoy longer, fuller lives,” says David Clay, Lower Keys Medical Center CEO. “Women often play central roles in our lives, and we want our mothers, sisters, daughters and friends to be healthy enough to take selfies for years to come.” To Keep Your Selfie Healthy, sign up at LKMC.com/selfie. We’ll also be giving away prizes every day, including an at-home spa package, a Fitbit Versa 2 and a Kindle Paperwhite. Drive collects 100 jars for SOS Foundation Stock Island Food Pantry KEY WEST, FL (MARCH 28, 2024) – Lower Keys Medical Center employees participated in the second annual Jars of Love Peanut Butter Drive in March, collecting 100 jars of peanut butter for the SOS Foundation Stock Island Food Pantry. “We recognize the impact hunger has on an individual’s health and wellbeing, and our employees wanted to help those in the community who struggle with food insecurity,” said David Clay, Chief Executive Officer of Lower Keys Medical Center. “One in seven Americans face hunger issues, up 30% over last year. In Monroe County, 9.3% of residents experience food insecurity, with an average cost per meal of $4.85, the highest in Florida,” said Leah Stockton, Keys Area President of United Way of Collier and the Keys. Peanut butter is a sought after item for food banks because it is a good source of protein and because of its long shelf life. Morgan Tracey, Executive Director of SOS Foundation said, “Peanut butter is a go to item for families but is difficult to order the smaller jars in bulk quantities in individual jars so we appreciate this donation from the employees of Lower Keys Medical Center.” The Jars of Love Peanut Butter Drive was created to coincide with National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day on April 2nd. KEY WEST, FL (MARCH 28, 2024) – AI-assisted applications continue to enhance healthcare technologies. Lower Keys Medical Center will now be utilizing an AI-assisted endoscopy device that helps doctors identify colorectal polyps during procedures, such as colonoscopies. AI technology recognizes visual characteristics associated with abnormalities and highlights areas of concern on the screen, allowing doctors to more easily locate them before polyps become cancerous. The physician can then determine if the abnormality is a polyp and whether or not to remove it during the procedure. "According to the American Cancer Society, the risk of developing colorectal cancer over a lifetime is 1 in 23 for men and 1 in 25 for women," said Orlando Lopez-Roman, MD, FACG, AGAF, board-certified gastroenterologist with Keys Medical Group. "Early detection is key to treating colorectal cancer." “Investing in this new technology enhances the care our patients receive and can improve outcomes. March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, so this new service begins at an ideal time”, said David Clay, chief executive officer at Lower Keys Medical Center. “We are committed to investing in services that further our mission to ‘help people get well and live healthier’.” Colonoscopies are the optimal and most common screening for colorectal cancer. Current guidelines recommend that individuals at average risk for colorectal cancer schedule a colonoscopy at age 45. Delivers quality care and broad impact to the larger community KEY WEST, FL (MARCH 29, 2024) - Over the course of 2023, Lower Keys Medical Center played a vital role helping people get well and live healthier at more than 132,000 patient encounters across its hospital and growing network of Keys Medical Group physician clinics and other outpatient sites of care. At more than 23,000 emergency department visits last year, lifesaving medically necessary care was provided for all patients regardless of their ability to pay. Lower Keys Medical Center provided more than $52 million in charity and uncompensated care for the community’s most vulnerable. “Our caregivers play a crucial role in our community every day of the year,” said David Clay, chief executive officer for Lower Keys Medical Center. “In the past several years, including Hurricane Irma and the pandemic, our team remained dedicated and determined to continue providing compassionate care, 24 hours a day.” The hospital’s work to help address social determinants of health in the community includes financial donations to charitable organizations such as Wesley House Family Services, Samuel’s House, and Habitat for Humanity of Key West and Lower Keys, made in honor of our medical staff on Doctors’ Day 2023. Hospital team members support numerous charitable and community events each year through sponsorships, donations and volunteerism. Lower Keys Medical Center applies its resources to medical services, facilities, technologies and specialties that help our patients remain in the community for care. Since 2016, those resources – more than $47 million – have funded expansion of inpatient behavioral health, recruitment of specialists to Keys Medical Group, and the opening of the Women’s Imaging Center. In 2023, capital investments of more than $4 million enhanced patient comfort and provider usage in the Cardiac Catheterization Lab and expanded testing availability with construction of a foundation for positron emission tomography (PET) equipment. Recruitment of more medical specialties remains a priority, with recent success in securing additional providers in gastroenterology, cardiology, orthopedics, obstetrics and gynecology, and otolaryngology. Civic resources and services are supported by Lower Keys Medical Center’s tax payments of more than $3 million and the payroll of more than $55 million ripples across the local economy as employees buy goods and services. Workforce development remains a focus and strong relationships with the College of the Florida Keys and Arcadia University provide nursing graduates and physician assistant students education and rotation opportunities. Financial commitments help team members achieve their personal and professional goals through assistance with student loan repayments, as well as tuition and housing assistance. Clay continued, “The compassionate care provided by our team members is only one part of the broad impact we have, adding up to more than $123 million last year alone. We recognize that our services are essential to this community and we are committed to doing all we can to provide quality health care and make the Lower Keys a healthier community for all.” To help the community live healthier, Lower Keys Medical Center offers free community education classes and a free e-newsletter with a monthly dose of health and wellness inspiration sent directly to your inbox. Sign up at https://www.lkmc.com/enewsletter-sign-up. March 30th is National Doctors' Day, a time to pause and thank the men and women who chose to make a long and challenging journey to become physicians. Doctors' Day originated in 1933 when Charles B. Almond, MD, initiated the recognition in Winder, Georgia. In 1990, President George H. W. Bush officially recognized March 30th as National Doctors' Day. At Lower Keys Medical Center, we are grateful every day for our medical staff members who shoulder the ultimate responsibility for a patient's care, whether that is provided in the emergency room, operating room, or clinic. We celebrate and honor their commitment to their field, their patients and their community. In recognition of their personal sacrifices, professional achievements and their commitments to the Lower Keys residents and visitors, we are celebrating together on March 28th to personally thank them. In honor of the medical staff, Lower Keys Medical Center is making a donation to three community charitable organizations. These three organizations were chosen by medical staff vote and will receive donations to further their noble missions during the celebration on March 28th. Please join us in recognizing our doctors who are vital to our mission to help people get well and live healthier by providing safe, quality healthcare, building enduring relationships with our patients, and providing value for the people and communities we serve. David Clay is Chief Executive Officer of Lower Keys Medical Center. (KEY WEST FL – MARCH 11, 2024) - Keys Medical Group and Lower Keys Medical Center welcome Lindsay Hickerson, MD, board-certified orthopedic trauma surgeon. She joins Christopher Bensen, MD, FAAOS, board-certified sports medicine and orthopedic surgeon, and Amanda Meyer, PA-C, ATC, certified physician assistant and certified athletic trainer, in Keys Medical Group Orthopedics. Dr. Hickerson is a graduate of a Level 1 trauma center, Virginia Commonwealth University, in Richmond, VA, where she also completed her orthopedic surgery residency. She completed a full year, accredited orthopedic trauma fellowship at Hospital for Special Surgery, in NYC, nationally ranked #1 in orthopedics by US News and World Report for 14 consecutive years. Dr. Hickerson joins with more than 10 years of experience at Level 1 and Level 2 trauma centers where the majority of her practice consisted of performing complex fracture surgeries. She treats acute and chronic fractures and injuries of the joints, upper extremity including the clavicle, and lower extremity including the acetabulum/pelvis. Dr. Hickerson's undergraduate degree was in Sports Medicine at the University of Virginia where she worked for three years with Division 1 athletes at UVA followed by one year as the head athletic trainer for a high school prior to going to medical school. Christopher Bensen, MD, said, "We are pleased to have Dr. Hickerson join our surgical team at Keys Medical Group Orthopedics and care for the residents and visitors of the lower Keys." Appointments may be requested at Keys Medical Group Orthopedics at (305)295-3477. KEY WEST, FL (FEBRUARY 28, 2024) - Lower Keys Medical Center welcomes Giovanni Campanile, MD, FACC, ABIHM, FAARM. Dr. Campanile has joined Keys Medical Group Cardiology, effective February 20, 2024. A Harvard University-trained and board certified cardiologist, Dr. Campanile treats cardiac conditions including hypertension, lipid disorders, coronary artery disease, valvular heart disease, congestive heart failure, and arrhythmia. He conducts inpatient and outpatient cardiology consultations, and performs and interprets diagnostic studies such as echocardiogram, transthoracic echocardiograms, treadmill and nuclear stress testing, tilt table testing and heart rhythm monitoring. Dr. Campanile completed Cardiology Fellowship at Lahey Clinic in Burlington, MA, and Interventional Cardiology Fellowship at New England Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, MA. He also trained at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, MA. He is Assistant Professor of Medicine at Rutgers University Medical School in New Jersey and has been an instructor for Cardiology Fellows at Lenox hill Hospital in New York, and Columbia University at Mount Sinai in Miami. Dr. Campanile served as a Cardiologist to Former President George H. W. Bush and has been named "Top Doctor" in Cardiology by New Jersey Monthly Magazine for multiple years. An author of multiple scientific publications, Dr. Campanile and his wife, also a physician, are also authors of a best-selling book, "The Sicilian Secret Diet Plan", related to the Mediterranean diet. He recently presented a keynote lecture at the Integrative Health Symposium in New York City, entitled "The Heart of Anti-Aging". "I believe each patient's story is unique and I consider all of the factors in their individual environment and lifestyle that may be influencing their wellbeing. Nutrition and lifestyle factors are the cornerstones of my practice," said Dr. Campanile. Lower Keys Medical Center CEO David Clay said, "We are pleased to welcome Dr. Campanile to our hospital and community. His level of experience and skill will add to the services and care we are able to provide to our residents." Keys Medical Group Cardiology is located at 1111 12th Street, Suite 210 in Key West. Appointments may be requested at (305)294-5727 or online at KeysMedicalGroup.com. Keys Medical Group is a multi-specialty physician practice offering primary care, obstetrics and gynecology, orthopedics and sports medicine, gastroenterology, cardiology, and psychiatry. Telemedicine virtual visits are available with most providers. KEY WEST, FL (JANUARY 16, 2024) - It's a leap year, and that means we all can look forward to an extra day in February - an extra day to enjoy life, be well, and pursue the things that make us happy. And, while an extra day is nice, what if you could add more years to your life? Caring for your heart is one of the best ways to increase longevity. Heart disease is the number one cause of death in the United States, responsible for one in five adult deaths in the U.S each year. The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) estimates one person dies every 36 seconds from cardiovascular disease. But there are actions you can take right now to reduce the risk of heart disease. This February, Lower Keys Medical Center is marking American Heart Month and the 2024 leap year with its Leap into Heart Health educational email series. People who sign up will receive short, fun-filled, fact-filled, potentially life-saving emails designed to help improve heart health. Topics include ways to “spring” into action, “skip” past stress, “hurdle” over harmful habits, “hop” into bed earlier for better rest and other “steps” anyone can take toward a stronger, healthier heart. “Most people can reduce the risk of heart disease by adopting a healthier lifestyle, not smoking, exercising regularly, maintaining a healthy weight and well-balanced diet, keeping blood sugar and cholesterol under control and treating high blood pressure. That may sound like a lot to manage but even small adjustments can often lead to improvements in heart health,” said Steven Rowe, MD, FACC, Keys Medical Group Cardiology. President Lyndon B. Johnson declared the first American Heart Month in February 1964. Several years before that, when he was Senate Majority Leader, Johnson was a 60-cigarette-per-day smoker and suffered a near-fatal heart attack. He was only 46 years old. Every U.S. President since has recognized February as American Heart Month and a time to educate Americans about ways to prevent heart disease. The Leap into Heart Health email series will be delivered to inboxes every other day in February with a short article and heart health tips you can try right away. The series also includes warnings about symptoms and conditions that may indicate you should see a doctor, especially high blood pressure, high cholesterol and genetic predisposition to heart disease. "At Lower Keys Medical Center, our mission is to 'help people get well and live healthier' and, for many of us, that means taking better care of our hearts," says David Clay, CEO, Lower Keys Medical Center. "People who Leap into Heart Health with us this February will receive email content that takes just a few minutes to read but is entertaining and informative, and it can be life-saving. We encourage everyone to sign up." To "Leap into Heart Health", sign up at https://www.lkmc.com/heart-challenge. KEY WEST, FL – December 21, 2023 - Lower Keys Medical Center administration hosted an awards ceremony to announce the winner of the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses, which recognizes nursing professionals for excellence in clinical care and for exceptional compassion. Erica Paulus, RN, nursing supervisor, was nominated by a family who experienced her emotional support, encouragement, empathy and compassion.
"We are very proud of Erica's clinical expertise and sensitivity and her ability to make meaningful connections with our patients and their families," said David Clay, CEO, Lower Keys Medical Center. Michael Hales, Chief Nursing Officer, and David Clay presented Erica 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 auto-immune 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. Photo: left to right: Michael Hales, MSN, RN, Chief Nursing Officer; Erica Paulus, RN; David Clay, CEO. |
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