Expanding healthcare across countries sounds simple in theory, but the reality is far more complex. Dr. Jason Stanford knows this firsthand. With more than two decades spent building healthcare companies across North America and the Caribbean, he has seen both the opportunities and the challenges of taking medical innovation global. As CEO and Chairman of MARS Group of Companies, he has learned an important truth: good intentions alone do not guarantee international success.
Build Global Standards From Day One
Many medical companies make the same mistake. They design for their home market first, then try to retrofit when it is time to expand. That usually creates expensive setbacks. Dr. Stanford takes a different view. “Scaling internationally does not start when you go abroad. It starts when you build a product or service,” he explains. Whether it is diagnostics, cancer therapy, or digital health, regulations must be considered from the beginning. His cancer treatment facility in Jamaica illustrates the point. “We built our center in Jamaica to align with US clinical guidelines from the outset, which made expansions seamless and audit-ready,” he says. Careful planning upfront avoids costly surprises later and clears the path for global growth.
Embed Local Knowledge and Talent
Dr. Stanford also discovered that cutting-edge technology alone is not enough to succeed in new markets. Trust matters just as much as innovation. “No matter how advanced your tech is, you need local insights to win patient trust and operate effectively,” he says. The answer lies in hiring and empowering local professionals. At AIM Medical in Jamaica, community hiring became central to their strategy. “We onboard local physicians and administrators throughout the process. This not only strengthens community trust but also accelerates integration into the regional healthcare system,” he explains. Those team members act as bridges between the company and the community, ensuring that care feels both accessible and authentic.
Integrate Operations Across Sectors
MARS Group’s model goes beyond clinics. The company operates across agriculture, diagnostics, and cancer care, and there is strategy behind that breadth. “In today’s health economy, integration is your hedge,” Dr. Stanford says. If one sector faces challenges, others provide stability. Integration also applies to physical locations. Combining medical services, labs, and pharmacies can simplify regulation, reduce costs, and improve patient outcomes. At Alliance International Medical, this approach was put into action. “We successfully integrated our laboratory services and general practitioner practice in one location, which streamlined care for patients,” he recalls.
Secure Flexible Funding and Partnerships
Global healthcare expansion requires significant capital, but Dr. Stanford emphasizes that money alone is not enough. Partnerships are what make growth sustainable. “Global expansion requires capital, but more importantly, it needs the right partners,” he says. His companies combine US funding with local government support and NGO collaborations. The lesson is to think beyond traditional investors. “Do not just pitch to investors. Build cross-border coalitions that align with public health needs in your target market,” he advises. Such coalitions create financial sustainability while addressing real healthcare priorities on the ground.
Building Healthcare That Crosses Borders
Through his work in multiple countries, Dr. Stanford has learned that international healthcare expansion takes more than passion. It requires clear structure, thoughtful strategy, and genuine partnerships. His formula boils down to four principles: build with international standards from the start, hire local talent early, integrate services for efficiency, and partner with organizations that share your mission. “The companies that get this right can scale successfully. Those that don’t often find themselves starting over in each new market,” he notes. For Dr. Stanford, the key insight is simple but powerful. “Healthcare is local, but innovation is global.” The challenge is creating businesses that can bridge both worlds. The reward is healthier communities and a model of care that can truly scale across borders.
Follow Dr. Jason Stanford on LinkedIn for more global healthcare insights.
