Three ways Stryker supports physicians in their pursuit of better patient outcomes

With more than 949,000 active physicians in the United States, training and education opportunities are integral in a physician’s ability to improve patient outcomes.¹ Stryker actively supports physicians in their pursuit to improve patient outcomes through various initiatives and programs. Here are three key ways we empower healthcare professionals to deliver the best possible care to their patients:

1. Empowering physicians with cutting-edge technology and training

We are driven to make healthcare better by creating innovative products and services that improve patient outcomes. To deliver the full potential of these innovations, surgeons must be trained on their safe and effective use. We support surgeon learning in many parts of the world through a full range of in-person and virtual training programs.

For example, when a medical education mobile lab parks outside a hospital, it makes it easier for surgeons to get the product-related training they need. Our Trauma & Extremities team utilizes a fleet of mobile labs throughout the country to bring education directly to surgeons. The fleet is comprised of seven RV labs that accommodate two surgical training stations each, and one large TEACH truck lab that accommodates eight stations. Fully equipped with surgical tables, lighting, power and a variety of Stryker solutions for trauma, foot & ankle and upper extremities procedures, each training is customized to the needs of our surgeon customers.

Medical education courses are also offered in a traditional lab setting across multiple specialties in cities throughout the country to ensure our surgeon customers understand how to use Stryker’s products safely and effectively.

2. Supporting physicians with leadership development, networking and program implementation

We continue to support the advancement of diversity within healthcare as our customers work to ensure physicians reflect the diversity of the communities they serve. The American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) and Orthopaedic Diversity Leadership Consortium (ODLC) are examples of two organizations we’re working with to positively impact diversity in the orthopaedic specialty.

We continue to partner with AOFAS as they develop and lead their own diversity, equity and inclusion efforts. The ODLC also offers us an opportunity to help optimize the effectiveness and sustainability of diversity efforts in academic departments and healthcare organizations. “By partnering with Stryker to offer professional development programs, networking and medical education opportunities, we can help advance orthopaedic surgery diversity, equity, and inclusion leaders and improve orthopaedic care,” says Dr. Suleiman, an orthopaedic surgeon and Board Advisor for the ODLC from Chicago, Illinois. “Four percent of orthopaedic residents entering medical school are Black and just 1.9% of all practicing orthopaedic surgeons are Black.² It’s a challenge that we’re excited to work with Stryker to address.”

3. Promoting global health by partnering with charitable organizations

We care deeply about improving the wellbeing of people all over the world, including creating equitable access to education, healthcare, mentoring and more. To ensure underserved populations and those impacted by a disaster receive quality care, we partner with charitable organizations like Operation Smile, Project C.U.R.E. and the Red Cross to get medical care, medical education and equipment to patients in need.

• To help bring more equipment and medical supplies to under-resourced nations across the globe, Stryker partners with Project C.U.R.E. Through product donations and grant funding, our partnership helps bring medical technology to regions in need and ensures Project C.U.R.E. can operate safely and efficiently during times of crisis.
• Through financial and volunteer support, Stryker works with the Red Cross through donations and volunteer support to help them prevent and alleviate human suffering. Part of the global Red Cross and Red Crescent network, the organization deploys experts and works with communities around the world to prepare for and respond to disasters like wildfires, floods and hurricanes, eliminate deadly diseases like measles and rubella, and reunite families separated by crises, among many other services.
• Since the 1990s, our partnership with Operation Smile advances our mission through medical education programs that directly serve those in need. These education and training programs are designed to train healthcare professionals and build surgical capacity in under-resourced countries such as Rwanda, where Stryker funds the Rwanda Surgical Training Rotation. Dr. Steven Naum, a plastic surgeon from Grand Rapids, Michigan and volunteer plastic surgeon for Operation Smile shares, “The situation in Rwanda has developed into this surgical rotation model, and we’ve been able to now have general surgery residents from the University of Rwanda rotate with us [experienced surgeons and anesthesiologists]. It’s become part of their training as general surgery residents.” By supporting the development of medical education and training programs for surgeons and other healthcare professionals, we’re helping Operation Smile multiply its impact, and empowering professionals to hone their skills while increasing surgical capacity in some of the most under-resourced countries.