Oct. 7, St. Thomas' first-ever board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon joined The Roy L. Schneider Hospital staff this week.
According to a release from the hospital, Dr. Errol James, a native of Trinidad, opened his new office in St. Thomas Wednesday. He comes to the territory from New York where he has had a practice in plastic and reconstructive surgery at various hospitals in Manhattan, Brooklyn and Long Island. He has also been assistant clinical professor in Medicine at Columbia University in New York for the past 11 years.
"We are extremely pleased and proud to have such a qualified physician join our staff," Rodney E. Miller, president and CEO of the hospital, said. "Now, people who choose to have plastic or reconstructive surgery done do not have to leave the island, but can have these operations performed right here," he said.
James spent 22 years in New York and now has decided to come "home" to the Caribbean. He will be the first physician certified by the American Board of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery to operate on the island, Miller said.
In addition to plastic surgery, Dr. James is board-certified in emergency medicine by the American Board of Emergency Medicine, and as such has helped the Roy L. Schneider Hospital Emergency Room at various times during the last three years, Miller said.
"I am very familiar with the hospital and am pleased to be here," Dr. James said. Commentating on the booming interest in plastic surgery, Dr. James said its popularity has also risen in the Caribbean. He added that plastic surgery is not just about improving appearances.
"We also help diabetics with wounds, trauma victims after motor vehicle accidents and burns, and people with a need for reconstruction after cancer surgeries such as breast reconstruction after mastectomy. We also treat various skin conditions such as skin tumors, and basal and squamous cell cancers. There is definitely a need for qualified plastic surgeons in the territory and I am happy to fill that need," he said.
Dr. James' office is on the second floor of the Sherpa Building, 9602 Estate Thomas (above Shoe Zone Mandela Circle). For more information, call 776-2529.
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