Hall of Fame Health, Smith+Nephew to Collaborate on Ex-Players' Wellness

Hall of Fame Health and global medical technology leader Smith and Nephew today are announcing a partnership to deploy the company’s digital health portfolio for former NFL players seeking joint replacement through a quality care network.

The rollout will include Hall of Fame Health selectively joining with surgeons and facilities across the United States that demonstrate leading clinical outcomes, certifying those locations as Centers of Excellence and ensuring these advances in care are available to all communities nationwide.

The partnership between Hall of Fame Health and Smith and Nephew is designed to supplement other health care options for ex-players, such as those available through the National Football League and its Player Care Foundation, which assists NFL retirees.

“From the beginning, our mission has been to provide world-class services to former NFL players and their families and to do so in a way where the programs we build can have a greater impact across our communities,” said Jeremy Hogue, CEO of Hall of Fame Health. “Our partnership with Smith and Nephew is a terrific example of that commitment.”

Hogue said Smith and Nephew’s position as a global leader in joint replacement technology already make them a strong partner, but once he learned about their Positive Connections ASC  initiative and ARIA digital episode of care management platform, that’s when he was convinced they were the ideal fit for partnering with Hall of Fame Health. “The Pro Football Hall of Fame’s brand stands for excellence – the best of the best. Our partners have to represent that same thing in their fields, and Smith and Nephew does that.”

“The Pro Football Hall of Fame is iconic, and it has been terrific to learn about their efforts into health care for former players, not just Hall of Famers, but everyone who played the game,” said Skip Kiil, Smith and Nephew’s President of Global Orthopedics. “Our organization is honored to be involved in this partnership, which will enable us to deliver our products to a wide network of former professional football players across the country.”

In October, Hall of Fame Health and 12 founding “partner providers” announced agreements to deliver medical care to former NFL players. The sites include premier hospitals, academic medical centers, physician groups and orthopedic centers in areas of the country where thousands of NFL retirees live. It is anticipated that many of these providers could become part of Hall of Fame Health’s Centers of Excellence network.

Smith and Nephew’s Positive Connections Ambulatory Surgery Center (ASC) initiative, which launched last February, is designed to connect solutions, programs and networks to help ASCs operate more efficiently. The company subsequently introduced its ARIA digital episode of care management platform in August. ARIA is designed to help support total joint episodes from beginning to end by connecting patients and providers, generating PROMs data and driving consistency in surgical site selection.

Hall of Fame Health’s development of Centers of Excellence and a national care network aligns with Smith and Nephew’s strategy of improving patient care within the outpatient setting through the utilization of digital health products.

“Smith and Nephew shares the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s commitment – its Mission – of ‘Honoring the Heroes of the Game,’” said David Baker, President and CEO of the Hall of Fame. “And we honor all players, whether they are Hall of Famers or someone who appeared in only one NFL game, by helping ensure they receive quality medical care long after their playing days are over. Smith and Nephew will fill a huge need in providing world-class care for joint-related issues.”

Baker recalled comments former San Francisco 49ers owner and Class of 2016 Hall of Fame member Eddie DeBartolo Jr. made at his Enshrinement and said today’s announcement helps fulfill DeBartolo’s vision.

“Make no mistake, history has its eyes on all of us right now,” DeBartolo said, referring to the long-term care of NFL players. “It's about the respect and gratitude we feel for these athletes who have given their all to this game. We've got to do all we can to look after one another and take care of one another, not just when the uniform is on, but when the uniform comes off, too.”