On Wednesday, 30th January 2008, advanced surgical procedures were introduced to the Health Authority of Anguilla by Randall (Randy) S. Zuckerman, MD, FACS from Bassett Healthcare in Cooperstown, New York, USA. Mr Tom Wright, Project Coordinator for the Bassett Hospital Anguilla Partnership provided a brief historical perspective followed by Dr Zuckerman who gave a presentation on laparoscopic surgery to the HAA Board of Directors, Chief Executive Officer, Director of Medical Services, Director of Nursing Services and Medical/Nursing Staff. The presentation took place at the Paradise Cove Resort Conference Room in West End.

Health Authority Officials and others

Dr. Randy Zuckerman is an Attending Surgeon and Co-Director of the Mithoeger Center for Rural Surgery at the Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital. Bassett Healthcare is a rural academic medical centre consisting of three hospitals and 21 health centres located in the central New York State region – a rural area similar to that of Anguilla. Trainings are conducted across the spectrum of care and include a research and teaching system affiliated with Columbia University and Dartmouth College.

The Bassett Hospital Anguilla Partnership is a project initiated to introduce laparoscopic surgery to the public and private health care systems on Anguilla. Training in advanced surgical procedures for the HAA Medical and Nursing Staff will commence on Saturday, 1st March 2008. Doctors and Nurses from outside of the organisation are invited to attend the didactic training on Sunday, 2nd March. Local surgeons will be performing the procedure from the next day. Surgeries will be scheduled for a total of three days, commencing on Monday, 3rd March and ending on Wednesday, 5th March.

“We will ensure that this surgical procedure is safe, cost-effective, and sustainable by collecting data and tracking outcomes”, stated Mrs Darlene Baptiste, CEO. The necessary equipment needed for the surgical procedures will be donated to the HAA. A second visit by the Bassett Hospital Medical Team is planned for around the end of April or early May of this year. The HAA Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer give accolades to Mr Tom Wright for his coordination of the Bassett Hospital Anguilla Partnership Project.

Next area of interest for the Health Authority will be the development of a Home Health Care Programme.

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