LOWER KEYS MEDICAL CENTER HAS BROAD IMPACT ON COMMUNITY

Lower Keys Medical Center and its doctors group provided care to more than 128,000 patients last year. CONTRIBUTED

Over the course of a year, Lower Keys Medical Center makes a meaningful impact in the community, as the skilled and compassionate hands of physicians, nurses and other team members deliver safe, quality care around the clock every day. Beyond clinical care, the hospital is a major employer and regularly invests resources to expand and enhance the services available locally. The overall community benefit totaled more than $87 million in 2021.

Last year, the hospital and Keys Medical Group providers delivered care during more than 128,000 patient visits as the pandemic heightened the need for medical attention. The hospital has supported more than 400 COVID inpatients since March 2020 while sustaining all of its other medical services. To help protect the community from the COVID-19 virus, more than 350 outpatients were treated with monoclonal antibodies, helping them avoid serious symptoms and hospitalization.

“While our team at Lower Keys Medical Center cared for patients with COVID-19, we continued to provide emergency and routine care and treatment for patients with a variety of conditions,” said David Clay, chief executive officer for Lower Keys Medical Center. “I am so honored to work with this resilient and committed family of clinicians and caregivers who make a difference for so many patients each day.”

Employees and medical staff brought their skills and compassion to support more than 23,000 emergency department visits, more than 3,000 inpatients and perform more than 3,000 surgeries. Over 99,000 patients received care across the hospital’s imaging centers, laboratory, physical, occupational and speech therapy clinics and the Keys Medical Group physician clinics. The hospital also delivered joy to local families as more than 400 babies were born.

Lower Keys Medical Center continues to grow and evolve as resources are directed toward increased medical services, facility improvements and technologies that are important to patients. These include the addition of four new Keys Medical Group providers in orthopedics, obstetrics and psychiatry, implementation of a cardiac catheterization call team, upgraded robotic surgery equipment, purchase of a cardiac MRI, replacement of flooring throughout the main campus, and the start of patient room renovations. 

As Lower Keys Medical Center works to meet patients’ needs, it also gives back to the Lower Keys region. The hospital provided over $21 million in charity and uncompensated care for the community’s most vulnerable. And the $3 million paid in property, sales and GRT taxes helps support civic resources and services. 

Lower Keys Medical Center also works with local charitable and community organizations such as Boys and Girls Club of the Keys, Habitat for Humanity of Key West and Lower Keys, and the Key West Police Love Fund, which received donations in honor of the medical staff on Doctors’ Day last year. 

The hospital’s payroll of more than $47.9 million ripples across the local economy as employees buy goods and services. The hospital also made capital improvements totaling more than $2.4 million. 

“We are part of this community and are committed to doing all we can to provide quality health care services to help our residents live healthier lives,” Clay added.

Working with the College of the Florida Keys, Lower Keys Medical Center is helping to develop the next generation of clinicians. A new scholarship fund will also help local students discover their passion for health care. 

To enhance the health of the community, Lower Keys Medical Center last year launched a free e-newsletter with a monthly dose of health and wellness inspiration. Individuals can sign up at LKMC.com/enewsletter-sign-up.