Baptist Health Brings Advanced Cancer Care to Key West
Baptist Health has officially unveiled its newest cancer care center in Key West, celebrating the grand opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The facility, part of Baptist Health Cancer Care, marks a transformative step in bringing comprehensive, high-quality oncology services directly to residents of the Lower Keys — eliminating the need for lengthy travel to access critical treatment.
The opening underscores Baptist Health’s sustained commitment to expanding accessible healthcare throughout South Florida’s island communities, ensuring that patients facing cancer diagnoses can remain close to their families and support systems throughout treatment.
Comprehensive Cancer Services Offered at the New Center
The new Key West cancer care center is equipped to address a wide spectrum of oncological needs. Patients have access to a fully operational infusion center for chemotherapy, as well as advanced radiation therapy powered by a state-of-the-art linear accelerator. The facility also features CT simulation for precise treatment planning and hosts both medical and radiation oncology specialists on-site.
This integrated approach ensures that patients receive coordinated, multidisciplinary care under one roof, streamlining their treatment journey and reducing the burden of navigating multiple locations for services.
A Welcoming, Patient-Centered Facility
Spanning 4,300 square feet across two stories, the center has been designed with patient comfort and holistic care at the forefront. The refreshed, welcoming environment is complemented by a robust network of on-site support services, including:
- Nurse navigators to guide patients through their care journey
- Registered dietitians for nutritional support during treatment
- Social workers to address emotional and practical needs
- Symptom management specialists to improve quality of life
This comprehensive support model reflects a growing recognition in oncology care that treating the whole patient — not just the disease — leads to better outcomes and improved patient experiences.
Leadership Voices on a Major Milestone
The opening drew praise from Baptist Health’s top leadership, who emphasized its significance for the Keys community.
Dr. Leonard Kalman, Interim System Chief Executive of Baptist Health Cancer Care and Interim Executive Medical Director of Baptist Health Miami Cancer Institute, stated: “This facility represents a major step forward in providing advanced cancer care closer to home, enabling residents of the Lower Keys to receive treatment without traveling far from their support systems.”
Joe Natoli, Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer of Baptist Health, added: “We are pleased to expand access to essential health services for both residents and visitors — care that will be delivered with quality and compassion by the experts they trust.”
Both leaders highlighted the dual benefit of the center: strengthening healthcare infrastructure for permanent residents while also extending quality care to the many visitors and seasonal inhabitants of the Florida Keys.
Expanding Cancer Care Across the Florida Keys
The Key West center is the latest chapter in Baptist Health’s broader initiative to deepen its healthcare footprint throughout the Florida Keys. In a related expansion effort, Baptist Health Fishermen’s Community Hospital recently opened the Walsh Family Medical Arts Building, which has significantly increased access to infusion services and primary care in the Middle Keys.
Together, these developments reflect a coordinated regional strategy — one aimed at ensuring that geography is no longer a barrier to receiving world-class cancer treatment and medical care.
Conclusion
The opening of Baptist Health’s new cancer care center in Key West is a landmark achievement for both the health system and the communities it serves. By bringing advanced oncology services, compassionate support staff, and cutting-edge technology to the Lower Keys, Baptist Health is redefining what accessible, patient-centered cancer care looks like in South Florida.
