Lower Keys Medical Center Elects 2026 – 2027 Chief of Staff, Medical Staff Leaders

6/17/2026

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

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