THIS WEEK IN MEDICAL TRAVEL TODAY
Volume 4, Issue 14

by Amanda Haar, Editor

Laura Carabello, publisher of Medical Travel Today, is “filling in” for editor Amanda Haar, who  is on a well-deserved vacation!
 
Dear Colleagues:
 
As Medical Travel Today enters its fourth year of service to the medical travel community, I reflected upon the interest and expansion of this still-nascent industry.
 
I thought our readers would be interested to know that I was a pioneer “medical traveler” nearly 12 years ago.  Following a surprise diagnosis of an acoustic neuroma – a rare brain tumor that is typically non-malignant  – my personal physicians in N.J. recommended that I seek treatment at the House Ear Clinic in Los Angeles, CA.  http://www.houseearclinic.com/

Now, I was no stranger to L.A., but the notion of traveling cross country for surgery was not palatable.  “Why should I travel so far when the best medical care is right here in N.Y.?”
 
To which my wise doctors answered:  “Because the most experienced neurosurgeons in the world with the best outcomes for acoustic neuroma are at the House Ear Clinic.”
 
It was a good decision.  The House surgeons have successfully treated more individuals with acoustic neuroma than any other hospital in the U.S. – for that matter, worldwide.  I am one of the lucky ones…the tumor was non-malignant and successfully removed with only four days in the hospital.  And for those of you who know me:   I did not suffer any facial paralysis and am still smiling a decade later.
 
Nobody has to convince me of the value of medical travel, and I urge all who read this newsletter and follow the industry to spread the word:  Access quality care wherever it is located; Centers of Excellence are worth their weight in smiling outcomes.
 
Laura Carabello
Publisher and Executive Editor

READERS WRITE

Dear Amanda,
In your issues 12 and 13 (Medical Travel Today) I was interested to read what Dr Sarkis Khoury and Professor Bruce A. Friedman had to say (Arbitrage).
We have long suggested that m edical t ourism also be regarded as a form of Services Arbitrage.
 
In fact somewhere in the Textbook of Contemporary Health Tourism (ISBN 978-960-92725-0-6 – now due for release towards the end of the year), I write:

Seeing Medical Tourism Differently
Healthcare Services Arbitrage
Contemporary Medical Tourism is to a large degree all about arbitrage  (exploitation of price differentials).
 
Somewhere else, I aim to correct the mis-equating of medical tourism as outsourcing and off-shoring (as quite a few people have been doing).

The Difference between Outsourcing and Off-shoring
…in the context of Medical Tourism

Some refer to Medical Tourism as healthcare service “Outsourcing” and “Off-shoring” (and out of ignorance, use the terms interchangeably). Medical Tourism is neither.
Outsourcing means getting someone to do it for you (locally or abroad). Health Insurers – and National Health Systems - do this anyway (that is why they are also known as Payers). Off-shoring means doing it yourself – but doing it “abroad.”
 
Thanks and keep well.
Constantine Constantinides M.D., Ph.D.
Health Tourism Enterprise Practice

SPOTLIGHT: Tony Mitchell and Bertrand Mesplede, Lockton Companies

Mark LeShay, President, Premiere Medical Travel Corporation

Editor's Note: Recently, Lockton Companies (Singapore) Ltd launched SCOPE, an insurance product designed to cover the cost of medical complications for medical travelers receiving surgery abroad.  Covering over 100 procedures, SCOPE covers patients during and after their surgery and for the duration of the stay in the destination country. Additional coverage options provide protection after a patient's return home and reimbursement for certain legal expenses related to medical malpractice claims.

Medical Travel Today recently spoke to Lockton Companies (Singapore) Pte Ltd president Tony Mitchell and marketing manager Bertrand Mesplede about SCOPE and its introduction to the market thus far.

Mark LeShay, President, Premiere Medical Travel Corporation

Medical Travel Today (MTT): First, tell us a bit about SCOPE.

Tony Mitchell (TM): It’s actually a revamp of something we tried a few years ago. At that time we put it together and built a website. But that didn't work so we learned and moved on.

In the meantime we hired Bertrand Mesplede who has a background in e-commerce, specifically promoting and selling products via the Internet.
What we have now is a product, SCOPE, which we're actively promoting via the Internet and that responds to both consumer needs and the business-to-business environment for hospitals.

We designed SCOPE to cover the extra costs incurred by medical travelers when complications arise. 

Because a majority of patients travel abroad for the considerable savings, we felt the prudent patient would be willing to put a portion of that savings to protect themselves from unexpected costs. There are a good number of horror stories out there involving patients traveling for pretty standard procedures and developing complications -- life-threatening complications that led in some cases to literally millions of dollars in additional costs.
 

MTT: Was SCOPE designed specifically for medical travel or can it be applied to domestic procedures?

TM: Only travel abroad. We also don't cover any one who resides in the United States.

MTT: What's the reasoning behind that?

TM:  Regulatory reasons. Unlike the U.K., in the United States you have to develop and register policies for each individual state. We initially reached out to the New York state regulator as they have a sizable population, but we never heard back. Trying to do that 51 separate times was simply too much at this stage. 

But that's not to say U.S. patients can't benefit from SCOPE at all. They may be able to do so through the hospital where they'll be having their procedure performed, assuming those hospitals are one of our partners and in which case we are protecting the hospital itself as opposed to the patient.

MTT: So you're marketing to both a consumer market and a business market?

Bertrand Mesplede (BM): Exactly.
There are two models we're pursuing.
First, there's the consumer model in which a patient can go to our website and purchase a policy. We have a four-step quote feature that allows them to specify the procedure they're looking to cover and any specific terms they want. They can then even move to purchase the policy directly online with a credit card; it's that simple.

The only limitation on a direct purchase is that they must be traveling to a Joint Commission International (JCI)-accredited facility to have one of our scheduled procedures and, as Tony mentioned, they cannot be a resident of the U.S.

Our other model is aimed at JCI-accredited hospitals and facilitators looking to attract patients from anywhere. Our policy is a great add-on to the packages they're already offering and, again, can be done online.

MTT: How are you presently marketing to hospitals?

TM: Most of the hospitals we're targeting at this time are in Singapore and the Philippines as the product needs registration with regulators in other jurisdictions. In many instances, we already have relationships with these hospitals because they purchase other Lockton products. In those situations we set up face-to-face meetings and introduce SCOPE and how it fits with their offering.

BM: We're also attending conferences, promoting it on our website, and using social networks and Google ads.

MTT: I realize it's still very early in the product's life cycle, but are there any particular types of patients who seem interested in making the purchase based on procedure, destination, distance for travel, and so on?

BM: We haven't had any purchases yet, but I can tell you the majority of queries we've had are patients looking for dental, cardiac, and cosmetic surgery. A great many are from India, Europe, the U.K., Indonesia, and the Philippines.

Plus, we've had many, many queries from travel facilitators.

MTT: Are there other target markets on your radar?

TM: I think there's a good potential for SCOPE to appeal to insurance companies and the self- insured corporations in the U.S. who want to offer different levels of coverage/benefits to their employees. A model for example where the employer suggests that instead of going to Chicago for a procedure, an employee goes to Bangkok and then the employer and employee can share in the savings. A product like this would be essential to that model. Right now liability issues, principally differences between the U.S.A. and Asian systems and award levels make employers hesitant and rightly so. SCOPE protects them and their employees from some of the potential downside.

About Tony Mitchell
President of Lockton Singapore, Mitchell has more than 27 years of insurance brokering experience, with over 20 in Asia, working in senior management positions in multinational insurance broking companies -- with specialism in professions and financial risks. Mitchell can be reached at tony.mitchell@asia.lockton.com

About Bertrand Mesplede
Mesplede has more than six years of marketing experience, working in marketing manager and executive positions for various companies in tourism, advertising and Internet -- with specialism in e-marketing strategies.  He can be reached at bertrand.mesplede@asia.lockton.com

INDUSTRY NEWS

Brazil and Spain Emerge As Premiere Medical Travel Destinations of Choice for High Quality Cosmetic Surgery, Dentistry, and Complex Specialized Surgeries

ELMWOOD PARK, N.J./SÃO PAULO, Brazil/BARCELONA, Spain – June 2010 – Sphera International, a multi-national company that works with medical travel facilitators in the U.S. and abroad to simplify the experience for patients by providing a network of world-renown facilities and affordable, quality treatment in Brazil and Spain, announces the opening of its offices in Brazil (Sao Paulo), Spain (Barcelona), and the United States (New Jersey). Both countries emerge as desirable locations for medical travelers because of their longstanding traditions for delivering exceptional medical care, exemplary health care facilities, and English-speaking physicians.  

“Building on its robust economy, established reputation for safe, first-world accommodations, and anticipated activities related to the 2014 FIFA World Cup and International Summer Olympics, Brazil is a destination of choice for medical travelers seeking high quality, affordable medical care,” says Alex Lifschitz, CEO of Sphera International, the only company of its kind to maintain offices and executives in the U.S. to directly assist American companies and the public regarding medical travel in the business-to-business and direct-to-consumer sectors.  “Spain has been a top medical tourism destination for European, Arab, and African countries for years. Medical travelers can choose from JCI-accredited hospitals in Barcelona, Madrid, and Marbella. As one of the main ports of entrance to Europe, Barcelona is known for its high-quality medical facilities, which are frequently utilized by the Spanish Royal Family.”

Organized to provide health care consulting, administrative services, and medical travel guidance, Sphera serves as the gateway for individuals who want to enjoy beauty, cultural diversity, and comfort while benefiting from top-notch medical facilities -- many of which are accredited by the Joint Commission International.  These Centers of Excellence offer cosmetic/plastic surgery, dentistry, as well as complex specialized surgeries including cardiac, bariatric, ophthalmologic, and orthopedic.

“Medical practices and care excellence in Brazil and Spain are held in high regard by clinicians and patients worldwide,” says Lifschitz. “Now, Americans can access this level of care at rates well below those offered in North America – resulting in substantial savings for individuals, employers, and health plans.”

About Sphera International
Sphera International is a multi-national company providing consulting, administrative, and medical travel services for Brazil and Spain.  Visit http://www.spherainternacional.com.  

Companion Global Healthcare Welcomes Anadolu Dental Clinic to Network
 
Columbia, S.C. -- June 22, 2010 – Medical travel facilitator Companion Global Healthcare Inc. announces that The Dental Clinic at Anadolu Medical Center in Istanbul, Turkey, has joined its network of international dental clinics, providing another attractive option for Companion Global Healthcare clients seeking lower-cost dental care abroad.
 
The state-of-the-art Anadolu dental clinic, Companion Global Healthcare’s only network clinic in Europe, offers a range of preventive, restorative, and cosmetic dental procedures at prices 70 to 80 percent lower than at many U.S. clinics. The clinic operates a luxury hotel on its campus, with rates below $100 per night, and Turkish Airlines is offering 25 percent off fares from the United States for Companion Global Healthcare clients and their companions.
 
Companion Global Healthcare provides preferred rates and round-trip service for clients visiting Anadolu or any of its other dental clinics or hospitals around the world, including setting appointments, transferring medical records, arranging travel, and assisting with the scheduling of sightseeing tours.
 
The Dental Clinic at Anadolu Medical Center is one of only a handful of dental clinics in the world accredited by the Joint Commission International (JCI). Anadolu is affiliated with Johns Hopkins Medicine International of Baltimore, an affiliation that provides Anadolu with access to clinical pathways identical to those used in the United States.
 
“More and more Americans are having dental procedures performed at top facilities abroad, getting the dental care they need, and combining that with an exciting vacation,” said David Boucher, Companion Global Healthcare’s president. “Patients in need of extensive dental work can save thousands of dollars while enjoying an amazing travel experience. Companion Global Healthcare can arrange all of that with one call.”
 
Dr. Alper Cildir, CEO of Anadolu’s dental clinic, said, “We are proud to be the only JCI-accredited dental clinic in Companion Global Healthcare’s network and are pleased to be the exclusive dental provider for Companion Global in all of Europe.”
 
About Companion Global Healthcare
Based in Columbia, S.C., Companion Global Healthcare (www.CompanionGlobalHealthcare.com) offers medical travel concierge services and an international network of dental clinics and accredited hospitals to individuals, as well as to self-insured employer groups. An employer offering medical travel benefits can save thousands of dollars any time an employee chooses treatment at a Companion Global Healthcare network hospital.
 
For more information, call 1-800-906-7065.

 
www.healthoptionsworldwide.com: Health Options Worldwide Launches Its New Medical Tourism Website

Princeton, N.J.-- (Marketwire - June 22, 2010) -  Health Options Worldwide (HOW), an international and domestic health care marketplace, has launched a new interactive medical tourism website, which enables users to anonymously search health care providers worldwide offering fixed rates for treatments. Founded in 2008, Health Options Worldwide was formed in response to the growing medical travel industry to develop solutions for the rising costs of health care.

The HOW website is a resource for physicians, hospitals, employers, and patients. Physicians and hospitals participate free of charge so they can showcase cost and quality for routine medical issues to complex surgical procedures both at home and abroad, allowing them to provide benefits directly to the patient. HOW does not charge medical providers to participate, which allows for unbiased information. HOW health care providers agree to their terms and conditions, at which point they are eligible to receive patient inquiries, and they can communicate directly with patients. However, they request these providers offer discounted rates on the website and honor every quote that is confirmed via their Virtual Office.

The HOW website is a medical tourism agency that allows patients to research, request, and reserve medical treatments. HOW handles all requests from vacation surgeries, knee replacements, bariatric or cosmetic surgery, and even complicated issues like cardiovascular or spine procedures. Patients can use the search function to search for low- cost surgery and treatment providers based on cost, quality, experience, treatment needed, and geographical location. The site uses groundbreaking technology to match medical tourism health care providers with prospective patients. Patients enter specific criteria, which is compared to HOW's database of health care providers.

HOW generates low- cost surgery results to patients and sends them to those health care providers matching the criteria. Patients simply select a procedure and choose the medical tourism health care providers that are matched to their search criteria. Subsequently, they can request price quotes and book treatments anywhere in the world, even in their own neighborhood, from the privacy of their home. Users create an account only when they wish to receive a personalized price quote for a procedure. HOW even helps users with payments through partnerships with financing companies.

Medical tourism, or medical travel, is the emerging practice of traveling in order to obtain faster and, in many cases, lower- cost surgery. Medical travel is intended to reduce costs and increase quality of affordable global health care. According to a study, over 750,000 Americans left the country in 2007 and spent $2.1 billion on cheaper medical treatments overseas. Medical travel is estimated to grow at an annual rate of 20 -25 percent. By 2017, close to 23 million Americans will seek surgery abroad.

"In these days of health care reform, HOW simply wishes to offer people the care they need but can't afford, be it overseas or right here at home," says David Goldstein, HOW President. "HOW's free medical resource is intended to improve health care quality while reducing costs for American patients suffering from treatable conditions by giving them the tools to find excellent medical providers, both domestically or internationally."

Kameda Medical Center to Release Patients Beyond Borders "Focus On"
First JCI-accredited hospital in Japan to be featured in new eBook

Chapel Hill, NC – June 22, 2010: Patients Beyond Borders®, the first consumer reference guide for medical tourism, is pleased to announce the July 2010 release of Focus On: Kameda Medical Center (KMC), profiling one of Japan’s leading private health care facilities. Focus On: KMC addresses Kameda’s implementation of global trends, its “Say Yes” concierge services, and its top specialties: oncology, Breast Center, sports medicine, cardiology, interventional neuroradiology, spine surgery, and second-opinion services.

Japan’s first and only JCI-accredited hospital, Kameda boasts a 350-year history through eleven generations of the Kameda family. The 925-bed medical center is one of the largest private hospitals in Japan and is nationally accredited as well as ISO-certified. While principally serving citizens of Japan and the immediate region, KMC also serves the medical traveler, welcoming more than 200 international patients in 2009. More than 10 percent of its 450 full-time physicians have had postgraduate training abroad, mostly in the United States.

Healthy Travel Media's new Focus On™ series features 32-page, full-color digital brochures and eBooks highlighting the world's leading, internationally accredited hospitals and specialty centers in a fully searchable, consumer-friendly format. Published under the Patients Beyond Borders brand, the series offers health care consumers detailed information on specialties, procedures, costs, and travel planning from the most recognized, trusted information source in international medical travel.

"We look forward to participating in this dynamic new program," says John Wocher, executive vice president and director of International Patient Services at KMC. "This effort will allow us to proactively promote our facility to the international traveler with up-to-date, interactive information on our medical specialties, pricing, and the quality and safety of our medical services."

Focus On: KMC will be accessible from a variety of sources, including the Patients Beyond Borders website, Kameda’s website, third-party websites, Kindle and other eBook readers, iPhone and other mobile devices, medical, business, and reference libraries worldwide, and all popular social networks.

"Health care consumers worldwide will now have access to clear, current information on Kameda’s impressive array of specialties, procedures, international services, and signature programs at their fingertips," says Kate Johnson, Focus On project manager for Patients Beyond Borders. "Our new series is designed to assist the international patient at the planning stage, and Kameda Medical Center has much to offer the medical traveler."

About Kameda Medical Center
KMC is a 925-bed private health care facility located approximately 80 kilometers southeast of Tokyo, on the Boso Peninsula. Family-owned, this fully modern medical center has an ocean-view restaurant, delicatessen, 24/7 convenience store, coffee shop, and more. Kameda’s electronic medical information system has been totally paperless and filmless since 1994. KMC’s Centers of Excellence offer a wide range of services, solutions, and technologies in a healing environment with hotel-like surroundings; 370 of the inpatient rooms are private and boast Pacific Ocean views (suites are also available).

For more information on Kameda Medical Center, please contact:
Kameda Medical Center 929 Higashi-Cho,
Kamogawa City Chiba Prefecture,
JAPAN 296-8602 Tel: + 1 81 470 92.2211 ext. 3005
Email: Ms. Harumi Isobe, intl-affairs@kameda.jp
Web: http://www.kameda.com/us/

About Healthy Travel Media
Healthy Travel Media, an independent imprint based in Chapel Hill, N.C., publishes books, eBooks, videography, and online information on medical, health, and wellness travel. Its flagship international title, Patients Beyond Borders, now in its Second Edition, is the world’s leading consumer reference guide for medical tourism and is filled with authoritative, accessible advice. Specialized country-specific editions have been published for Singapore, Korea, Taiwan, Malaysia, Thailand, and Turkey. The Patients Beyond Borders series is available through booksellers everywhere and is distributed to the retail trade through Publisher's Group West.

Patients Without Borders is now HealthGlobe

July 1, 2010

We are very excited to let you know that as of July 1, Patients  Without Borders LLC has a new name, HealthGlobe International LLC, a new web address and is introducing a brand new look and feel on the web. Please visit  the new site and let us know what you think. Our original name was memorable and helped us get our start in the  medical travel business and we will always look fondly on our early  days. Our new name is meant to highlight our unmatched capability to  help consumers improve their lives through medical care from outstanding medical centers around the globe - and provide employers with an  important tool for holding medical insurance costs down. Specific  benefits of medical travel include:

• Cost Savings. By connecting patients in need of treatment to the highest quality medical facilities around the world, we can make sure  they receive world class treatment at very reasonable prices. And we  handle all of the travel and pre and post-treatment logistics.

• Control over Healthcare Decisions. Some countries have significantly  higher than average success rates in treating certain forms of cancer.  Other countries are best able to use environment, extended monitoring  and access to advanced therapies to produce the outcome our clients  desire. Our trained Patient Advocates can support patients as they  evaluate the availability of treatments that could improve their quality  of life.

• Corporate Control over Healthcare Costs. More and more companies are  considering medical travel benefits as a way to control healthcare costs. The HealthGlobe corporate medical travel program allows them to partner with their employees in a creative way to save money on costly medical procedures.

The HealthGlobe brand allows us to create a number of specialty  websites that focus on specific areas of medical travel. Our first two  are:

• InVitroGlobe.com - focused on overseas IVF procedures

• SurgeryGlobe.com - focused on a broad variety of surgical procedures

We thank you for the confidence you have showed us as Patients  Without Borders. As HealthGlobe , we will continue to evolve and invest  in providing the highest quality medical travel services in the market.  We look forward to working with you as we continue our journey.

Sincerely,

The HealthGlobe Team

UPCOMING EVENTS

Medical Travel Meeting Brazil Scheduled for August 25-28, 2010

Joe Carabello, president and CEO of CPR Strategic Marketing Communications and publisher of Medical Travel Today, to address “Keys to Raising Awareness and Generating Consumer and Business Inquiries for Medical Travel to Brazil”

The medical travel industry is estimated to be worth $60 billion globally.
Aiming to encourage this new market in Brazil, the "Medical Meeting Travel Brazil" will take place August 25-28, 2010 at the Grand Hyatt Sao Paulo (SP). This is the first international event in the country that will generate business opportunities for healthcare operators, brokers and international facilitators, in addition to presenting the excellence of Brazilian medicine and its hospitals to the world. The meeting will feature national and international markets and the presence of the key players and buyers.
 
Joe Carabello, president and CEO of CPR Strategic Marketing Communications and publisher of Medical Travel Today (www.medicaltraveltoday.com) will address the subject of Marketing Communications and PR:  The Keys to Raising Awareness and Generating Consumer and Business Inquiries for Medical Travel to Brazil.
 
From social networking to media relations and email campaigns, getting the word out to prospective individual customers and business clients is essential. This presentation will provide guidelines for achieving media attention that drives interest – and business – to Brazil.

Attendees will learn:
- What works with U.S. editors – both consumer and business trade media
- “How To” - reach B2C and B2B editors and reporters - print, TV, and electronic
- How to target appropriate US geographical areas to generate optimal interest
- What to say and what not to say regarding Brazil
- How to launch an email campaign
- How to capitalize on the new social media opportunities

To register visit : http://www.medicaltravelmeetingbrazil.com

Twitter: http://twitter.com/mtmbrazil

Asian Countries Unite for Medical Tourism in IMWell Summit
With the Philippines spearheading the initiative for Asia to be a regional hub for health, wellness, and retirement, representatives of different Asian countries including India, Thailand, Malaysia, Korea, Taiwan, and Singapore are set to gather in the International Summit on Medical Travel, Wellness and Retirement (IMWell Summit) on October 12-15, 2010, at the Makati Shangri-La Hotel to discuss the most important issues in global health care.

A convergence of health care, hospitality, and travel industry leaders, the IMWell Summit is envisioned to be a forum for different countries to hold multilateral dialogues and discuss how they can cooperate for the region to further develop medical and wellness tourism.

“Without question, medical travel has significantly transformed the face of global health care,” says Undersecretary Cynthia Carrion, who heads the Department of Tourism’s Office for Sports and Wellness. “The pool of patients around the world seeking medical treatment abroad has grown, with increasing cost efficiency and adoption of advanced medical technology overseas. This presents a huge opportunity for us, and it is only fitting that the Philippines is hosting the IMWell Summit, as we have already proven our country to be an emerging powerhouse as a health and wellness destination.”

According to the Department of Tourism, the number of overseas patients and clients visiting the Philippines has rapidly increased from 60,000 foreign patients in 2007 to about 100,000 foreign patients in 2008 and gross revenues estimated to be at US$350mn since the program was launched in 2006. In light of this booming phenomenon, the Department of Tourism expects the Philippines to corner a total of US$3bn of the global medical tourism industry by 2015, with 200,000 foreign patients arriving annually.

“The IMWell Summit demonstrates that the Philippines is at the forefront of this ‘sunrise’ industry, which has been a key driver in our economic growth. As a pioneering initiative in the whole region, it also establishes our pro-active stance in cooperating with our neighboring countries and making them partners in medical tourism,” says Joyce Alumno, Conference director.

The four-day event features a full agenda that includes plenary sessions on Industry Perspectives, Opportunities and Risks; Regional Presentation of Best Practices; Global Opportunities in the Retirement Industry; Marketing and Branding for Global Markets; Quality Management and the Continuity of Care; and the Future of Medical Tourism and Healthcare Travel Industry.

The IMWell Summit also includes Executive Workshops about Balanced Score Card in Healthcare Organization and Effective Leadership Styles in Healthcare Organization. Four break-out conference tracks will be presented: Quality in Healthcare, Marketing, Investment and Capacity Building, and Retirement, giving an in-depth look at each specific aspect of medical and wellness tourism.

“We have ensured that the program of the IMWell Summit is comprehensive and at the same time attuned to the needs and gaps in information of this growing field,” states Sanjiv Malik, M.D., a renowned international guru in medical tourism, who sits as the Conference Honorary chairman. “By gathering the region’s leading policy makers, decision makers, and solution providers, we aim to redefine, redesign, and refine health care delivery around the world. ”

The Advisory Board and Speakers of the IMWell Summit include prominent leaders in their fields of expertise, including David Vequist, M.D., of the Center for Medical Tourism Research (USA), Dato Jacob Thomas of the Association of Private Hospitals in Malaysia, Nipit Piravej, M.D., of Bangkok Chain Hospital (Thailand), Ares Leung, M.D., of Union Hospital (Hong Kong), Sam Bernal, M.D., of Cedar Sinai and The Medical City (USA and Philippines), Samie Lim of Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industries, Girdhar J. Gyani, M.D., of the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers (India), Jeff Staples, M.D., of Parkwayhealth (China), Tony Gibson of the Australian Human Resource Institute, Henry Schumacher of the European Chamber of Commerce, and others.

“Aside from our powerhouse line-up of speakers and advisors, what makes the IMWell Summit truly exceptional is the fact that it’s a pioneering event in regional cooperation," adds Alumno. "It is the first of its kind to present the global state of health care, explore current and future opportunities in medical tourism, and map out a strategy for the growth of the entire industry.”

The IMWell Summit is produced and organized by HIM Communications, in collaboration with the Department of Tourism as Host, and supported by the Department of Health, Department of Trade and Industry, Retirement and Healthcare Coalition, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Spa Association of the Philippines, with HealthCORE and Asian Academy for Healthcare Executives as Knowledge Partners.

For more information about the event, please visit www.IMWellSummit.com, or call (63 2) 910.8030 or 468.9999, or email info@himcommunications.com