U of T and Blue Jays sports doc on serving as Taylor Swift's primary care physician in Toronto

Christopher.Sorensen — Mon, 02 Dec 2024 14:20:45 +0000

Christopher.Sorensen Mon, 12/02/2024 - 09:20

Cutline

David Lawrence, medical director and staff physician at U of T's David L. MacIntosh Sport Medicine Clinic and assistant professor in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine, attends a Taylor Swift concert in Toronto with his wife (photo courtesy of David Lawrence)

Jelena Damjanovic

Topic

City & Culture

Temerty Faculty of Medicine

Faculty of Kinesiology & Physical Education

Music

Toronto Blue Jays

Subheadline

David Lawrence says the physical and mental demands on Swift are comparable to those of elite athletes

David Lawrence is used to ensuring that high-level performers are healthy and ready to deliver on the big stage. A staff physician and medical director of the University of Toronto’s David L. MacIntosh Sport Medicine Clinic, Lawrence is also lead team primary care physician for the Toronto Blue Jays.

So when the opportunity arose to serve as primary care medical doctor for Taylor Swift during the Toronto stop of her Eras Tour, he approached it like he would caring for high-level athletes and teams.

“Just like in an athletic team, the focus was on ensuring the health and readiness of a high-performing individual – in this case, Taylor Swift – along with her core team and supporting personnel,” says Lawrence, who is also an assistant professor in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine’s department of family and community medicine. “The physical and mental demands on her as an artist are comparable to those of elite athletes, with grueling schedules, significant physical exertion and the pressure to perform at peak levels.”

Lawrence was approached by senior front office members of the Rogers Centre and Blue Jays organization for the job. “It’s fairly common for high-profile artists to reach out to local professional sports teams for logistical or medical support during large events,” he says.

His role: provide primary care services on-call for Swift, her crew, support staff, family members and even children traveling with her team.

He says the dynamic of working with a large, well-organized team behind the scenes felt familiar. “Crew members, much like the staff supporting athletes, often face their own physical and mental stresses,” he says. “The overarching goal in both scenarios is the same: to address any issues quickly and efficiently so the performance, whether on stage or on the field, can continue seamlessly.

“The pressure to ensure readiness and a rapid return to performance if anything arose was another parallel, making this experience feel very much in line with my usual work.”

While Lawrence wouldn’t have called himself a Swiftie before this experience, he says he was incredibly impressed by the pop star’s performances. “The production was staggering and Taylor’s ability to perform for over three straight hours was nothing short of remarkable, making it clear how much preparation and effort go into delivering a show of that calibre,” says Lawrence. “It was a true showcase of an incredible combination of talent and hard work. It gave me a whole new appreciation for the dedication and effort behind such performances.”

Lawrence was also struck by the passion of Swift’s adoring fans.

“It was like nothing I’ve ever seen before,” he says. “The energy in the crowd was electric. With everyone singing every lyric so passionately it felt like the audience was just as much a part of the performance.”

Should employees be allowed to watch big matches on the job?

sgupta — Fri, 30 Oct 2015 14:23:23 +0000

Should employees be allowed to watch big matches on the job? sgupta Fri, 10/30/2015 - 10:23

Cutline

Getting permission to watch the Toronto Blue Jays on the screen or in person is no longer an issue this year – but what about in 2016? (image by Keith Allison via flickr)

Jelena Damjanovic

Author legacy

Jelena Damjanovic

Subheadline

A Q & A with Professor Alan Saks

Blue Jays fever may be over, but an important question remains. The next time a team pulls a nation together in front of screens and even cellphones, should bosses let their staff watch games during work hours or stand firm?

U of T News spoke to Professor Alan Saks of the department of management at University of Toronto Scarborough and the Centre for Industrial Relations and Human Resources. Saks’s research includes organizational socialization and employee engagement.

What should employers do when important sport matches are scheduled during office hours?

You have to realize first that we are talking about special events that are quite rare. The Blue Jays were in the playoffs for the first time in 22 years. When an event is very important to many employees, as with the Blue Jays games, then you have to consider how you can best accommodate your employees.

Why? What good does this do for the business?

Most employers will be thinking of the potential effect on performance and lost productivity. However, if you don't allow employees to watch the game, then there will probably be consequences for productivity. Employees who are not allowed to watch the game will surely spend most of the day thinking about it and keeping track of what is happening. That's if they come to work.

Are sick calls likely?

Many will feel they have no choice but to call in sick. Absent employees and distracted employees hurt productivity. What's more, not allowing employees to watch the game will have a negative effect on employee attitudes and this will probably linger for some time. Allowing employees to watch the game at home or at work, on the other hand, will be perceived very positively.

Is there evidence that letting employees watch big games during work hours affects their satisfaction and engagement?

When the Vancouver Canucks were playing the Boston Bruins in Game 7 of the 2011 Stanley Cup finals, the CEO of Coast Capital Savings Credit Union closed branches early so that employees could go home and watch the game. Those working at call centres were provided with large-screen televisions and pizza. After the announcement, the CEO received hundreds of emails from thrilled employees including one that said: “I love you, CEO.” Or consider the teacher who was in the news recently. She had tickets for one of the Blue Jays games. The principal let her go. Her response? “I have the best principal in the world.” These reactions are explained by social exchange theory, which says that employees who are treated favourably will feel obliged to reciprocate by responding positively and returning the favourable treatment in some manner. Employers should see these events as an opportunity.

Is there a downside to this generosity?

You have to be careful to choose those events that are really important to your employees. These are rare and special events. You don't want it to become an expectation!

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