by Dr. Sandra Lindsay
For the past three years I have had the privilege of leading a surgical mission at the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI), committed to expanding access to high-quality gynecologic care for women in Jamaica’s public health system. This year our focus is on laparoscopic gynecology—minimally invasive surgery that offers faster recovery, less pain and shorter hospital stays than traditional open procedures.
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Meeting a Kindred Spirit
Last year, I met Dr. Xavier Brown, a young surgeon at UHWI whose vision immediately captured my heart. Dr. Brown’s why is simple yet profound: every Jamaican woman, regardless of income, deserves the same level of surgical innovation available to private patients. His determination to build a strong, sustainable national program became the spark that brought this year’s mission to life.
From Inspiration to Action
After that first conversation, Dr. Michael Nimaroff and I began planning how to make Dr. Brown’s dream a reality. Working together with Northwell Health, we secured a generous donation of laparoscopic instruments—transforming passion into practical action and creating a program that will continue long after a single mission ends.
Honouring Those Who Have Serve
One of the most moving cases this year was Ms. Laurabelle Roberts, a retired police officer who served Jamaica for over forty years, rising through the ranks with unwavering dedication. To stand beside her in surgery was both humbling and inspiring—a vivid reminder of why equitable access to care matters so deeply.
Equity in Action
This initiative is more than a surgical initiative; it is equity in action. By bringing minimally invasive gynecologic surgery to the public system, we ensure that women like Ms. Roberts receive the same world-class care as those in private hospitals. It perfectly reflects Northwell Health’s mission to provide “better care for all.”
Looking Ahead
The success of this partnership affirms a simple truth: when passion meets purpose, lives change. Dr. Brown’s vision, fueled by Northwell Health’s support and the dedication of countless colleagues, is laying the groundwork for a stronger, more equitable public health system—one where Jamaican women can count on the same quality of care no matter where they seek it. This is only the beginning of a story that continues to inspire hope and set a new standard for women’s health across the island.
Sandra Lindsay, VP of Public Health Advocacy at Northwell Health, was the first person in the United States to receive the COVID-19 vaccine and is the author of the memoir First in Line.
