Newsroom

Fourth Annual Jars of Love Peanut Butter Drive Will Support SOS Foundation Stock Island Food Pantry Lower Keys Medical Center is working to fight hunger in the community by collecting peanut butter to donate to SOS Foundation Stock Island Food Pantry. The fourth annual Jars of Love Peanut Butter Drive starts on March 9, 2026, and will continue through March 25, 2026. Lower Keys Medical Center collects peanut butter because it is one of the least donated items even though it is high in nutritional value ... ... Read More

Lower Keys Medical Center has again earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® and the American Stroke Association’s Heart-Check mark for Primary Stroke Center Certification. Lower Keys Medical Center underwent a rigorous recertification process that included an unannounced onsite review on January 20, 2026. During the visit, a team of Joint Commission reviewers evaluated compliance with related certification standards including program management and delivering and facilitating clinical care.... ... Read More

Lower Keys Medical Center has invested in the Florida Keys Council of the Arts "Art in Public Buildings" program and has purchased five original works from local artists for display in the hospital's main lobby. Prints of the originals will also be hung in newly renovated patient rooms. "The works chosen by a hospital committee highlight the unique beauty and character of Key West. Interacting with art can promote healing and well-being. We are delighted to collaborate with Lower Keys Medical Center and... ... Read More

The College of the Florida Keys (CFK) is set to strengthen its nursing program and expand support for future nurses with a $100,000 contribution from Lower Keys Medical Center (LKMC) that unlocked matching funds through the state’s Linking Industry to Nursing Education (LINE) grant. Through LINE, CFK is working to help address Florida’s critical nursing shortage by supporting nursing faculty, acquiring modern nursing simulation mannequins, and providing student scholarships to eligible students. Establi... ... Read More

Lower Keys Medical Center offers free 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 th... ... Read More

Respiratory illnesses continue to rise with coughs being a common overlapping symptom among them all. Decoding the characteristics of a cough, including its duration, sound and accompanying symptoms, can help patients understand what is going on and how to treat it. Most people are typically contagious the first three to five days after the initial respiratory infection, according to the CDC. However, a cough can linger around longer. A temporary, acute cough typically lasts less than three weeks and is... ... Read More

Blood work is a standard part of an annual primary care wellness visit because it gives a global picture of your health. The lab results help your provider check for certain diseases and conditions, see indicators of your heart and organ functioning, and track how medications are working. Pasquale Dell’Api, D.O., board-certified family physician at Keys Medical Group Family Medicine – Big Pine Key, says annual blood tests are important for the long term health and well-being of their patients, even when... ... Read More

Lower Keys Medical Center and its medical staff encourage residents to know the symptoms and take proactive steps to protect themselves and their families against measles. With outbreaks spreading in other states and people traveling over the holidays, Lower Keys residents are reminded to practice vigilance. Who is at Risk? Measles is an extremely contagious respiratory virus that spreads easily through coughing, sneezing, or coming into contact with droplets from an infected person. It poses the greate... ... Read More

Lower Keys Medical Center welcomes Lorna Klein, R.N., patient navigator in quality/education. Patient navigators are healthcare guides who help patients with chronic and complex diagnoses move through treatment and recovery, from diagnostic testing to follow up appointments and procedures. In additional to hospital case managers who coordinate resources for patients, the patient navigator personally follows patients with complicated and ongoing treatments, removing barriers, scheduling appointments and ... ... Read More

Keys Medical Group Obstetrics and Gynecology welcomes Shannon Pfingstag, CNM, DNP, FACNM, certified nurse midwife. Shannon earned her Doctor of Nursing Practice at Southeastern Louisiana University and is a fellow of the American College of Nurse-Midwives. Shannon has 30 years of experience in nurse midwifery and provides pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum care, gynecological examination, family planning consultation, disease prevention, menopause management, breast examination and annual wellness car... ... Read More