FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Marilyn K. Potts, APR, Public Relations/Marketing Specialist -(210) 575-0170

SAN ANTONIO, Texas -- Methodist Healthcare and Hospital Gea Gonzalez have signed an affiliation agreement that exemplifies the mission, Serving Mankind to Honor God, that has guided Methodist Healthcare staff and hospitals for four decades and counting. Ralph Foster II, Manager, International Services of Methodist Healthcare, signed the agreement with Arq. Jose Luis Campos Campos, administrative director of the Mexico City community hospital serving the underprivileged.

“Through this affiliation agreement,” said Foster, “we provide a physician exchange program and offer opportunities for continuing medical education for doctors.”

Physicians also receive a quarterly newsletter published by Methodist Healthcare, Boletin International, which carries information about new procedures that are being instituted at Methodist Healthcare hospitals.

The affiliation agreement is part of an ongoing effort to establish relations with hospitals in Mexico in which Methodist Healthcare frequently donates medical equipment to hospitals throughout Mexico to enhance the continuum of care for the people there. Due to rapid changes in technology, medical equipment is often replaced when it is still in good working order. The gift of these still-useful devices helps give a higher level of health care to people in underprivileged areas. The donation to Hospital Gea Gonzalez included anesthesia machines, an adult ventilator, an infant warming system, an adult warming system, patient monitors and EKG machines.