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About RHNMC

Overview of the Rural Health Network of Monroe County Florida, Inc.

What makes Monroe County Florida RURAL?

Monroe County, with a population of 75.45 persons per square mile, by definition, qualifies as a RURAL area (less than 100 persons per square mile).

What is a Rural Health Network?

The Rural Health Network of Monroe County Florida, Inc. (RHNMC) is a non-profit organization formally recognized by the State of Florida to coordinate and integrate health care services for Monroe County residents. RHNMC was established in accordance with the Health Care Insurance Reform Act of 1993, which recognized that the efficient and effective delivery of quality health care services in rural areas requires the integration of private and public resources and the cooperative efforts of health care providers.

Is the Rural Health Network certified by the State of Florida?

The Rural Health Network of Monroe County, Florida, Inc. received its certification from the Agency for Health Care Administration on October 18, 1995, making it the second network in the state of Florida to become certified. There are currently nine certified Rural Health Networks in the state of Florida.

Who does the Rural Health Network represent?

The Rural Health Network of Monroe County, Florida, Inc. has a broad-based county-wide representation. The Board consists of members from the Upper, Middle and Lower Keys community.

Board members work to collectively identify the health care needs of Monroe County residents, so that resources can be efficiently utilized to effectively provide accessible health care to those who need it. The legislative intent is to avoid duplication of services and technology, thus containing the cost of providing health care through a form of managed cooperation.

Monroe County (Florida Keys):

Total Area: 3,737 square miles.Land area is 997 square miles.

Location: Monroe County is the Southern most tip of Florida and the United States. The majority of the land area is located South of Collier County.

History & Interesting facts: Not your typical Florida vacation area, The Florida Keys offer something for everyone. The Florida Keys are located in Monroe County. Three of the most popular places for vacationers and business commerce are Key Largo, Marathon and Key West.

Key Largo is one of the first Keys and is best known for its famous sandy white beaches and beautiful waters. Established in the 1960's, John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park is noted for having an abundance of fish and healthy coral reefs. With the ever increasing numbers of visitors diving and boating around the State Park, it should be noted that park officials and other authorities watch closely for people who disturb the fragile natural underwater habitat. For boaters, Key Largo is a popular jumping off point to the Everglades National Park. The Everglades is one of the largest and most environmentally sensitive parks in the world. It is also one of the most beautiful.

Approximately Fifty miles East of Key West is Marathon. Marathon is an ideal place to stay if you want to explore both the lower keys and the upper keys. It has good accommodations with varied amenities at varied prices. The clear blue/green waters of the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico are only a step away from most of Marathons hotels, motels and resorts.

Key West is one of the earliest North American Settlements in Florida. Historically the town is known for being the Southern most tip of the United States and a popular tourist destination for world travelers. When not sunning, fishing or diving, visitors of the Keys can shop or browse in large historical districts. Most of these historical areas are located in Key West and reflect architecture from different periods in American history.

Residents of the Keys boast that they have the only natural coral reefs in the United States and Canada -- making it a diver's paradise. Fishing and catching lobster is also a favorite pastime of both residents and vacationers.

Florida Keys Overview

The Florida Keys are a wilderness of flowering jungles and shimmering seas, a jade necklace of mangrove-fringed islands dangling toward the tropics. But they are also a string of narrow islands overburdened by a growing population and booming tourism. Unfortunately, in the Keys you can't have one without the other.

The Keys were only sparsely populated until the early 20th century.In 1905, however, railroad magnate Henry Flagler began building the extension of his Florida railroad south from Homestead to Key West. His goal was to establish a rail link to his steamships that sailed between Key West and Havana, just 90 miles across the Straits of Florida. The railroad arrived at Key West in 1912 and remained a lifeline of commerce until the Labor Day hurricane of 1935 washed out much of its roadbed.The Overseas Highway, built over the railroad's old roadbeds and bridges, was completed in 1938.

At the top of the Keys, nearest the mainland, is Key Largo, becoming more and more congested as it evolves into a bedroom community and weekend escape for mainland residents. At the bottom, 106 miles southwest, is Key West, where for the past two years the effluent of the overburdened island has closed its major beaches for months. (For information about Key West, see the Key West Miniguide.)

In 1990, to protect the area's ecosystem, Congress established the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, covering 2,800 square nautical miles of coastal waters. Adjacent to the Keys landmass are nationally significant marine environments, including sea-grass meadows, mangrove islands, and extensive living coral reefs. These fragile environments support rich and diverse biological communities.

As you drive down U.S. 1, the main artery between Key Largo and Key West, gaze out over the silvery Atlantic and its still-living reef, with Florida Bay, the Gulf of Mexico, and the backcountry on your right. At a few points the ocean and gulf are as much as 10 miles apart. In most places, however, they're from 1 to 4 miles apart, and on the narrowest landfill islands, the only thing separating them is the road itself. Sunsets here are a pure, unadulterated spectacle that each evening attracts thousands of visitors and locals to the waterfront throughout the Keys.

Partners

US Department of Health and Human Services: Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)
Website:http://www.hrsa.gov

Health Foundation of South Florida
Website:http://www.hfsf.org

Monroe County Government
Website:http://www.monroecounty-fl.gov/Pages/index

Monroe County Health Department
Website:http://www.doh.state.fl.us

Florida Department of Health
Website:http://www.doh.state.fl.us

Mariner's Hospital
Website:http://www.baptisthealth.net/en/Pages/home.aspx

Fishermen's Hospital
Website:http://www.fishermenshospital.com/default.aspx

Lower Keys Medical Center
Website:http://www.lkmc.com/default.aspx

Guidance Clinic and Care Centers of the Keys
Website:http://www.gcmk.org

Keys Florida Keys Healthy Start Coalition
Website:http://www.healthystartflorida.com