A local doctor’s office that’s treated youth and adolescents for more than 25 years has added a new member to its staff.
The fit between Dr. Metee Comkornruecha, or “Dr. C,” and Dr. Stan Zuba’s Florida Keys Pediatric & Adolescent Center in Tavernier was rather seamless. And it came at the perfect time as Zuba, who owns the practice, sees more traveling, fishing and biking in his future.
Comkornruecha officially started with Florida Keys Pediatrics & Adolescent Center in May.
“After over 25 years of practicing in the Keys, it is time for me to set up a gradual transition to younger doctors who will continue to provide the outstanding standard of care that my practice and my doctors and staff are known for,” Zuba said. “He (Dr. C) wants to get back into community-based general pediatrics, and we are so happy he does.”
Born and raised in Memphis, Tennessee, Comkornruecha spent the last 18 years with Nicklaus Children’s Health System in Miami. He’s a Tulane University graduate who went on to receive his medical degree from the University of Tennessee’s Health Science Center College of Medicine. He specializes not only in pediatrics, but also adolescent medicine. He served as an adolescent specialist for 12 years at Nicklaus hospital.
Living in South Florida with his wife and two kids, Comkornruecha said he was ready to return to his roots helping children and developing new relationships with individuals and families. An opportunity with Zuba’s office popped up, and Comkornruecha said something in his gut drew him to it.
“I called the number and talked to people. It was kind of a whirlwind marriage if you will, but they had a good feeling about me and it just clicked,” Comkornruecha said. “As Stan said, this is a wonderful community. Meeting the people and seeing just how close everyone is, it just solidified things.”
While pediatricians like Comkornruecha work to ensure the next generation of kids is healthy, helping parents navigate their child’s development is also a part of the job.
“The developmental process in itself is a very complex process. There’s a lot of different steps from motor skills, verbal skills, fine motor skills and physical development,” he said “We have to put all those things together in an easy way to translate it to the parents, and convey to the parents what they need to do.”
Comkornruecha added that vaccines play a big part in ensuring society has healthy kids growing up.
“The fact is vaccines have been around for a long time. They save many lives. It’s really the crux of keeping our society healthy,” he said.
Comkornruecha said he appreciates the community response since coming to the Keys and looks forward to building more relationships with local families. And Comkornruecha said he couldn’t ask for a better boss.
“Seeing how everyone interacts with Stan and the presence he has in the community here, that’s what I want to build,” he said. “That’s my goal, to make this community happier and healthier and just building those bridges.”
Zuba, who will continue to own the practice, said he will work on an abbreviated schedule with Comkornruecha’s arrival and Weare working every other week. Florida Keys Pediatric & Adolescent Center is located inside the Tassell Medical Arts Building at Mariners Hospital.
