Health care

Latin CEO: Executive Strategies for the Americas, August-Sept, 2002

While specific figures are hard to come by--especially because so many Latin Americans maintain homes in Greater Miami--the numbers of Latin American patients easily climbs into the thousands annually Miami Children's Hospital, for example, serves about 2,000 Latin patients annually, according to Perdomo. Even more important than the numbers are the dollars which such patients bring, since most pay cash and are here for expensive treatments and surgeries. While only 1 or 2 percent of all patients may come from Latin America, estimates Carricarte, perhaps 5 percent of client income is derived from such patients.

In addition to treatment, Greater Miami has also acted as a nexus for the education of medical personnel in the Americas. The University of Miami School of Medicine and its associated institutions have played a major role for decades in training Latin American physicians and other healthcare providers. One example is the Ryder Trauma Center at the University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Medical Center, which provides a model for trauma care around the world. "We train physicians from Latin America, as well as Europe and Asia," says administrator Trudy Herdocia. "They come here to learn the most advanced techniques of trauma care and to implement new technologies in their part of the world."

For 38 years, Miami Children's Hospital has been offering its annual pediatric postgraduate seminar to Latin physicians using satellite transmissions and videotapes, with Webcasts planned for the future. The hospital's residency program also plays a role in training Latin pediatricians. "We continue to build our relationships throughout the Americas," says Perdomo. "For families whose children need care outside their country, we become a natural source of referral."

RELATED ARTICLE: SNAPSHOT

Percent of Latin American and Caribbean patients coming to the US who seek treatment in Miami:

55%

Number of hospitals that are part of the Miami Medical Alliance: 7

Percent 10 years ago:

35%

MIAMI MEDICAL ALLIANCE

* Aventura Hospital and Medical Center

* Baptist Health Systems of South Florida

* Cedars Medical Center

* Miami Children's Hospital

* Mount Sinai Medical Center & Miami Heart Institute

* South Miami Hospital

* University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Medical Center

SOUTH FLORIDA HOSPITALS OFFER:

* New FDA-approved minimally invasive cardiac procedures

* A new cardio-pulmonaiy bypass procedure for children

* A rare new burn treatment that uses synthetic skin grafts

* Musculoskeletal oncology and joint disorder treatment

* Non-invasive procedures to treat brain aneurysms

* The latest high-performance imaging equipment including PET Scan, MRI, and Spiral CT Imatron

* The largest hyperbaric chamber in the United States, now used for wound care

* The convenience and service of the Miami Medical Alliance

Source: Miami Medical Alliance