Event to Focus on Emerging Trend: Bringing Best Practices from Hospitality to Healthcare

BRADENTON, FLA., December 7, 2017 – The Association of North America Higher Education International (ANAHEI) has selected the Bradenton / Sarasota Area to host its upcoming Global Medical Management Services – The Patient as a Guest (GLOMED 2018) on February 23, 2018. Themed “Bringing Best Practices from Hospitality to Healthcare (H2H) for Maximizing Quality of the Patient/Guest Experience,” the international medical tourism conference will take place at the Art Ovation Hotel in Sarasota and is expected to draw hundreds from around the globe.

As part of an emerging a trend where medical recovery has reached the comfort of luxury hotels, H2H (the strategic linking of medical facilities to hotels and / or spas) is gaining ground in the medical tourism field. As such, GLOMED 2018 is designed to take a medical management and patient/guest services approach in examining the growing field.

“Medical Tourism is one of the industry’s fastest growing sectors, with billions of dollars spent each year,” said Fred J. DeMicco, Professor in the University of Delaware Department of Hospitality Business Management and Visiting Professor to USF Sarasota-Manatee Campus. “Seventy five percent of all hospital services today are hotel and hospitality-related services, and we expect to see an increasing number of patients (who we call guests) seeking a high-level service experiences and pampering while recovering from medical issues.”

“GLOMED 2018 will shine a light on how Medical tourism and hospitality can help medical facilities differentiate themselves from their competitors in an increasingly ‘red ocean’ competitive market place for healthcare,” added DeMicco.

The following expert speakers will discuss the H2H changes sweeping the healthcare industry and share how they market and develop winning strategies to bring new patients from all over the world to their leading facilities and medical centers in the communities they serve:

  • Lisa Clarke, Executive Director of Economic Development Agency, Destination Medical Center/Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
  • Plato Ghinos, President Shaner Hotels, Inc
  • Kathy Matt, Ph.D. Dean of the College of Health Sciences at the University of Delaware
  • Peter C. Yesawich, Ph.D., Chief Growth Officer, Cancer Treatment Centers of America

Conference sessions include an overview of medical tourism today and the future and concept of H2H with wholistic wellness spas, creating and delivering hospitality experiences to the patient as Guest. Panel presentations and discussions will take place on the operational model for the branding for medical tourism, financial and investment issues, potential infrastructure and legal issues and the impact on doctor/patient communication.

“GLOMED 2018 will be the place to discover trend leading ideas, and what better location than Florida’s west coast region?” said Pat Moreo, Dean of College of Hospitality and Tourism Leadership at USF Sarasota-Manatee.

“The Bradenton-Sarasota Area is thrilled to have been selected to host this prestigious conference and help aid in educating the industry about the emerging trend of H2H,” said Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau Executive Director Elliott Falcione. “Medical Tourism will continue to grow and impact the tourism industry and we look forward to welcoming all attendees who will undoubtedly help move the needle.”

Tickets are available online for $149, which includes lunch. For registration information, please visit www.h2h.anahei.org.