‘We want Jamaicans’

THE ALMOST clandestine nature of a recent meeting belied the intended target of educating the Jamaican masses, especially the growing professionals in sports, with the offerings of the Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) in New York.

Tucked away in a relatively small room, just over 30 specially invited medical doctors and members of corporate Jamaica were introduced to the various aspects of HSS.

The aim for Emil Calcano, vice-president, chief sports marketing and international patient development officer, and Jamaican Dr Ainsworth Allen, attendant physician at HSS, was to sway the attendees to spread the word that the institution is one of the best in the world in addressing orthopaedic issues.

Still in its infancy, the mission is the latest by HSS over the last three months to bring Jamaicans to the hospital in New York, and to another facility in Florida.

“The main goal is to start educating the Jamaican market on what we do, where we are and why we are the best in the world at it. And should they need high-level orthopaedic care, that we are here for them and there is a mechanism by which they can reach us,” Calcano said.

Currently, HSS is extending its tentacles to Jamaica and Mexico, having already established Latin American and Caribbean connections in the Dominican Republic, Peru, Panama, Guatemala and Ecuador.

According to Calcano, the institution is now recruiting an ambassador and in-country liaison to carry out the mandate, as Jamaica makes distinguished marks in track and field, football and cricket. The project will influence sports organisations within the country to send their athletes to the not-for-profit institution.

“HSS has the most significant sports medicine service of its kind in the United States. We care for more professional athletes and professional sports organisations than any other hospital in the world.

“Athletes are essential. The target will be sports organisations in Jamaica but primarily targeting quality-seeking individuals. We know there are people that are leaving Jamaica, the country, for their medical needs. We want them to understand that for their orthopaedic needs, the best solution is in New York or Florida with HSS,” Calcano said.

He outlined that HSS also has a sports medicine service line that conducts approximately 11,000 surgeries annually for amateur sportsmen and women. These individuals participate in swimming, jogging, cycling, golf, and tennis on weekends.

At the professional level, Calcano said HSS is the official medical provider and orthopaedic hospital for the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), National Basketball Players Association, New York Knicks, Brooklyn Nets, New York Liberty, New York Mets, New York Giants, and New York Red Bull.

He emphasised that with the Women’s World Cup approaching, HSS is one of the few accredited FIFA international medical centres of excellence caring for footballers.

Meanwhile, according to Allen, being a son of the soil played a role in the decision to help his native country, which he left while in fifth form at Titchfield High School in Portland. He said that HSS will offer Jamaican doctors one of the best options.

“There are a lot of great physicians here and trying to do a good job of taking care of the athletes, but in cases where help is needed, we are a resource that I think they should take advantage of. We have an extensive portfolio in management of professionals, college, and certain high school sports. In the youth sports, we are huge into that,” Morris said.

He outlined that HSS also provides quality care for orthopaedic sufferers not needing surgery. He said this is another aspect of HSS, which offers patients quality advice on the best method for long-term care.