Methodist Healthcare Launches Partnership With Mexicana Airlines New travel program helps position San Antonio as medical destination November 2005 - San Antonio, Texas – Methodist Healthcare and Mexicana Airlines announced the creation of VTP Salud (Health) - a new concept in travel for Mexican nationals wanting to come to the United States for executive physicals. This first health package ever offered by Mexicana Airlines includes: airfare from Mexico to San Antonio, a two-night stay at a San Antonio hotel and a physical exam. The appeal of San Antonio as a visitor attraction combined with San Antonio’s outstanding medical facilities made it a natural destination for Mexicana to choose when selecting a city for this program. In addition, Methodist Healthcare was selected as a partner due to its well-established International Services department, a fully comprehensive concierge program for international patients. San Antonio is on the international map as a leader in patient care, innovative research and health education. It is no coincidence that this city’s number one economic generator is the health care industry, with an economic impact of over 13 billion dollars. Thousands of international patients, primarily from Mexico, already travel to San Antonio for regular doctor’s appointments, rehabilitation therapy, fertility treatments and specialized medical procedures. Methodist Healthcare System plays a key role in providing services to these international patients. Currently, the health care system attracts approximately 900 patients from Mexico, a number that has grown substantially over the past few years. “VTP Salud is an important evolution of our efforts in the international realm; it is one more step towards positioning San Antonio as the medical destination for Mexican nationals. Our medical services are so advanced, there really is no need for them to go elsewhere,” stated Ralph Foster, manager of Methodist Healthcare’s International Department. Physicians who participate in Methodist Healthcare’s International Physician Panel will be offering the physicals. Those participating clinics include: S.A. Wellness, IMED Internal Medicine and the Clinic of Stephen J. Van Cleave. The process for booking VTP Salud begins with a phone call to Mexicana whereby the caller gets to “build” a package by selecting travel dates, choosing one of the participating hotels in San Antonio and choosing the level of physical they would like (basic or more complex). Mexicana then calculates the price of airfare, hotel and the physical and charges the caller one price for the entire package. Mexican VTP Salud packages are on sale now. Travelers interested in more information can call Mexicana Airlines at 5448-8871 (from Mexico City) or 01-800-502-2000 (anywhere else in Mexico). For more information on Methodist Healthcare’s International Services department, call 210-575-0355. # # #