FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

October 29, 2024

Tuga Clinic Opens on CFK Key West Campus

New Collaboration on Stock Island Between The College of the Florida Keys, Florida Department of Health in Monroe County and Rural Health Network

Contact:

Jennifer Lefelar, Public Information Officer

Jennifer.Lefelar@flhealth.gov

305-434-5413

Monroe, Fla. — The Florida Department of Health in Monroe County (DOH-Monroe), in collaboration with The College of the Florida Keys (CFK) and Rural Health Network, will open the Tuga Clinic on the CFK Key West campus on Monday, November 4, 2024.

The Tuga Clinic will provide general health services to CFK employees, students. and the public, including:

• Primary care
• Dental services
• Family planning
• HIV testing and counseling
• PrEP
• STI testing and treatments
• Immunizations
• School health physicals
• Occupational health physicals
• Narcan education and distribution
• Smoking cessation
• Substance use education and referrals
• WIC
• Maternal health and Healthy Start

“Data from the 2022 Stock Island Community Health Survey highlighted the need for affordable, accessible medical care where our residents live, work, and play,” said Dr. Carla Fry, PhD, MSN, RN, Administrator and Health Officer, DOH-Monroe.” We treated the survey responses as actionable data and got to work on a solution." 

"CFK will always be this community’s college,” said Dr. Jonathan Gueverra, President, CFK. “We live up to this goal by being the solution or a part of the solution. The Tuga Clinic is one more example of CFK in action to solve a problem. We are proud to be a partner and the host in this innovative collaboration that will improve the health and wellness of our students, employees, and neighbors, while providing clinical practice opportunities for our future health care professionals."

“Data from the recent Stock Island Community Health Survey, conducted by DOH-Monroe, support the need for Stock Island residents and workers to gain access to a medical clinic much closer to where they live and work,” said Jennifer Lefelar, Public Information Officer and Principal Investigator for the 2022 Stock Island Community Health Survey, DOH-Monroe.

Rural Health Network will send a practitioner to the Tuga Clinic once a week.  The Tuga Clinic will also use the organization’s mobile unit, which has full dental capacities.

“Rural Health Network is excited to expand access to medical and dental care for Monroe County residents through this collaborative effort with The College of the Florida Keys and DOH-Monroe,” saidAmy Halstead, CEO, Rural Health Network.

Initial hours for the Tuga Clinic will be from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Mondays and 12-4 p.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.

To schedule an appointment, call 305-293-7500.

The Tuga Clinic will have a grand opening celebration for the public at CFK’s annual Community Day event, which will be held on Saturday, November 2, 2024 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the CFK Key West campus.  There will be a "gauze cutting" at 11:45 a.m. and tours, information, and giveaways will be offered throughout the event. 

###

About the Florida Department of Health

The Department, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, works to protect, promote, and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county, and community efforts.  Follow us on X at @HealthyFla and on Facebook. For more information about the Florida Department of Health please visit FloridaHealth.gov.

About The College of the Florida Keys

The College of the Florida Keys (CFK) is the southernmost college in the continental U.S. and offers bachelor’s and associate degrees, certificates, workforce training, and personal enrichment courses.  Specialty programs include: marine science, diving, marine engineering, engineering technology/ renewable energy, nursing, hospitality/ecotourism, culinary, and law enforcement.  CFK serves approximately 1,500 students at locations in Key West, Marathon, and Key Largo, as well as online.  For more information about CFK please visit cfk.edu.

About Rural Health Network

Rural Health Network (RHN) of Monroe County, Florida, Inc, is a community-based, non-for-profit organization that operates a comprehensive, culturally competent, high-quality health care center for Monroe County, FL.  For more information about Rural Health Network please visit rhnmc.org.