The trade delegations are very well organized. I had a chance to meet leaders in the health care industry from the United States and as well as from the country we visited. It is an excellent forum to learn and exchange information.

— Baltej Maini, MD, Chief Executive Officer, Fallon Clinic & Foundation, 2001

Thank you for your interest in learning more about the Academy for International Health Studies. For 15 years, the Academy has been arranging trade/study missions for senior U.S. executives to travel throughout the world to expand their healthcare horizons.

As healthcare costs continue to escalate and the federal as well as state governments struggle with concerns related to financing, access and quality, we should not overlook the fact that these are global concerns. No country is satisfied with the status quo in its healthcare system. Through an intellectual exchange with our peers in other countries, the Academy missions facilitate discussions aimed at identifying and solving problems in a collegial and enjoyable setting.

Academy missions are comprised of diverse leaders from health plans, insurers and providers. Assembling a geographically diverse delegation from public companies and not-for-profit organizations allows delegates to learn from each other as well. Academy sponsors also benefit from the ability to improve relationships with existing clients and to network with prospective customers in social and educational settings.

Each mission is organized with experts from the host country, including ministers of health, university professors and market leaders in the public and private sector. Candid presentations and lively debates encourage an open forum for dealing with these universal issues. In addition, the Academy agendas include topics of local interest, such as traditional herbal remedies in Hong Kong, or quality and outcomes measures for spa treatments covered under the national health insurance plans in the Czech Republic.

Please take the opportunity to explore our sample agenda and the organizations that have been represented on past missions, review the post-mission articles and note the comments from our alumni.

We welcome your questions about how the Academy for International Health Studies can bring value to your organization. We look forward to traveling with you.

Warm regards,
Bruce A. Pollack

Learning about the culture, problems and solutions of another country's health care system is always stimulating, mind-expanding and fun. The Academy lined up an outstanding panel of experts in Argentina and also an excellent group of delegates from the USA. I hope to go again.

— Alain Enthoven, Professor Emeritus, Stanford Graduate School of Business,2005