Medical Tourism Workshop Brings Industry Stakeholders to Tbilisi, Georgia

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - June 28, 2013 - PRLog -- TBILISI -- The Medical Tourism Association® (MTA), in collaboration with MedTourGeorgia, presented a daylong workshop on “Opportunities for Medical Tourism in Georgia,” which provided a forum for industry stakeholders to discuss business opportunities, common goals and challenges, June 25, 2013, at Tbilisi State Medical University.  

“I am confident that this one-day workshop will raise awareness about medical tourism in Georgia and it will become an excellent basis for further activities in this direction,” said Dr. Paata Ratiani, founder and CEO of “MedTourGeorgia” and official MTA representative in Georgia, following site tours and meetings.

Attendees received an overview of the medical tourism and how Georgia can play a more active role in the industry. Other presentations included:

·         Government Involvement in Medical Tourism

·         Marketing European Clinics and Hospitals

·         Clinical Quality Improvement and International Patient Services

·         Role of the Travel/Tourism Industry in Medical Tourism

·         Inbound vs. Outbound Medical Tourism in Georgia.  

Presenters at the workshops included Jeff Coxon, education and engagement manager, MTA Europe; Amelia Fernandez, education & engagement coordinator, MTA Global; Dr. Prem Jagyasi, executive program director, MTA Global; Mary Miller, managing partner, MPROVE GLOBAL, Inc; and Dr. Paata Ratiani, founder and CEO, “MedTourGeorgia” and official MTA representative in Georgia.

“I would like to congratulate the organizers for making it possible for this workshop to be held and for managing to assemble this impressive mix of stakeholders, policymakers, researchers and experts in this field,” said Professor Zurab Vadachkoria, rector, Tbilisi State Medical University. “I would like to give a special thanks to Dr. Paata Ratiani for being the pioneer and No. 1 promoter of medical tourism not only in Georgia, but in the region.”

As part of its commitment to education, the Medical Tourism Association® offers training seminars and workshops like the one in Georgia for governments, healthcare clusters, hospitals, insurance providers, employers, hospitality, and other tourism groups. MTA believes the foundation for any successful international healthcare and patient program must include proper training and education.

“We believe in a think-global, act-local approach to develop sustainable systems through our workshops and we look forward to bringing our message to countries around the world,” said Renee-Marie Stephano, president of the Medical Tourism Association®.

MTA has spent several years developing a comprehensive and diverse curriculum of medical tourism training courses, certification programs and continuing education to support industry initiatives.

Medical Tourism Association® upcoming workshops include:

·         July 3, in Yerevan, Armenia

·         July 10, in Lisbon, Portugal

For more information regarding MTA educational & training workshops, contact 001-561-791-2000, or Info@MedicalTourismAssociation.com; http://www.medicaltourismassociation.com

ABOUT THE MEDICAL TOURISM ASSOCIATION
The Medical Tourism Association is a global nonprofit member organization for the medical tourism and international patient industry.  MTA works with healthcare providers, governments, insurance companies, employers and other buyers of healthcare - in their medical tourism, international patient, and healthcare initiatives - with a focus on providing the highest quality transparent services. MTA is also committed to raising awareness of international healthcare options, and has specific initiatives designed to educate and increase the number of consumers who travel for healthcare. For more information, visit: http://www.medicaltourismassociation.com

ABOUT MEDTOURGEORGIA
MedTouGgeorgia is the first medical tourism company in Georgia, sending about 20-50 patients each year from the Eurasian nation. For more information, visit
http://www.med-tour.ge