The Celts this month sent out letters to hundreds of its premium ``Courtside Club'' ticket holders, notifying them that New England Baptist can handle their medical inquiries with a little extra care if they call a special phone number.

Team officials stopped short of describing the program as ``VIP'' service at the hospital, opting instead to say they're providing ``concierge access'' to ticket holders.

Participants will be given a special card, phone number and access to a hospital nurse, Jan Sliby, who also serves as the Celtics' ``medical coordinator'' at New England Baptist.

Sliby can then do a ``phone assessment'' on someone's ailment and make a referral to a doctor.

New England Baptist has a renowned orthopedics practice, but is also well-regarded in other medical fields, including cardiology and gastroenterology.

The idea is to slowly roll out the program this fall, starting with the courtside-ticket fans and, hopefully, extending it to all 5,000 season-ticket holders by the end of this year.

Celtics President Rich Gotham said the franchise was looking to provide ``added value'' for its season-ticket holders.

``We've had a great history with the Baptist and the concept is to extend those benefits'' to season-ticket holders, said Gotham.

In turn, New England Baptist, which has served as the Celts' official hospital for the past 23 years, gets more customers, something every hospital in the region is jockeying for these days.

Season-ticket holders will have access to all doctors at New England Baptist - including team physician Dr. Brian McKeon, who recently operated on Garnett's injured knee. McKeon has also recently operated on other players, including Tony Allen and Leon Powe.

``It's exciting,'' said McKeon of the new program. ``It's an interesting model.''

Availability of services will depend on an individual's health insurance policy.

Professional sports teams have long had much-touted relationships with ``official'' hospitals, sending their high-profile athletes to the institutions for care while giving hospitals a marketing boost.

Hospitals also have long had variations of ``VIP'' services for the rich and famous, though they like to downplay such services.

But the Celtics and New England Baptist are the first in Boston to extend their medical partnership to season-ticket holders.

One source at another Boston sports team, asking to remain anonymous, said the Celts-Baptist program was ``intriguing'' and a first for the area - and perhaps for the nation.

STAFF PHOTO ILLUSTRATION