KEY WEST, FL, JUNE 12, 2026 – Lower Keys Medical Center held its annual medical staff leadership election, effective June 1, 2026.

Lawrence W. Blass, M.D., FACS, general surgeon, was elected President/Chief of Staff, a volunteer, one-year leadership position serving as a liaison between hospital administration and Lower Keys Medical Center’s medical staff, overseeing the quality of clinical care and physician performance, and assisting in aligning the hospital’s vision and medical staff goals.

Dr. Blass, a native of the Florida Keys, is a graduate of University of Miami Miller School of Medicine where he also completed his residency and served as Chief Resident. He is board certified by the American Board of Surgery and is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. Dr. Blass replaces Dr. John Norris. 

Drew Bigby, chief executive officer at Lower Keys Medical Center, said, “We appreciate Dr. Norris and Dr. Blass for their continued service to Lower Keys Medical Center. These are volunteer roles and we are grateful to them and the full Medical Executive Committee for their commitment to our patients, our staff and the community.”  

Other members of the Medical Executive Committee for the 2026 – 2027 term are:

John Norris, M.D., Vice President

Melanie Youshak, M.D., Secretary/Treasurer

David Perry, M.D., Chief of Surgery

Ayden Atilla, M.D., Chief of Medicine

Stanley Santiago, M.D., member at large

William Schnapp, M.D., member at large 

About Lower Keys Medical Center

Lower Keys Medical Center is an acute care community hospital offering 24 hour emergency department services. Accreditations include The Joint Commission Acute Care Hospital Program and Primary Stroke Center, American College of Cardiology Chest Pain Center, the American College of Radiology – Mammography, and the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission – Echocardiography. The hospital is recognized by Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) with a 4 Star quality rating.

[livemarket market_name="KONK Life LiveMarket" limit=3 category=“” show_signup=0 show_more=0]