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Keys Medical Group welcomes Sheryl Belanger, M.D., board certified family medicine physician. Dr. Belanger is a graduate of the University of Tennessee – Memphis College of Medicine in Memphis, TN, and completed her residency at the University of Tennessee – Jackson Family Practice Residency in Jackson, TN. She joins Norman “Rocky” Tingle, M.D., at Keys Medical Group Family Medicine, effective November 11, 2024. Dr. Belanger’s clinical interests include primary care, acute and chronic disease management... ... Read More

Early Detection and Treatment of Breast Cancer Gives Best Chance of Survival 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 canc... ... Read More

Lower Keys Medical Center hosted an awards ceremony honoring Irene Joy Pojas, R.N., 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... ... Read More

Lower Keys Medical Center and Keys Medical Group welcome Marc E. Csete, M.D., MBA, pulmonologist and critical care physician. A graduate of the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine in Miami, FL, Dr. Csete completed his residency at Mount Sinai Medical Center and a fellowship at Jackson Memorial Hospital, both in Miami. 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 condi... ... Read More

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 o... ... Read More

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 care 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 m... ... Read More

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, D.O., 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 privi... ... Read More

David Clay will leave at end of September and end his 40-year career 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 recruitme... ... Read More

Keys Medical Group welcomes Brien W. Tonkinson, M.D., board-certified otolaryngologist and head and neck surgeon with additional focus on facial plastic surgery. Dr. Tonkinson provides medical and surgical care of the ears, nose, throat, head and neck for pediatric and adult patients. Conditions treated include airway conditions, cancers of the head and neck, salivary diseases, thyroid disease, sinusitis and nasal polyps, deviated nasal septum and obstruction, hearing loss, swallowing and voice disorder... ... Read More

Evacuating hospital patients in a major hurricane involves numerous entities which need to be specially trained and constantly prepared. The annual drill, conducted June 27 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 p... ... Read More