Congratulations on your new position as Regional Head of International Care & Wellness Program with Hospiten. Can you tell us what your new role involves?

Thank you very much for your nice words! I have transitioned from focusing on a single hospital to overseeing the development of international patient departments across six key hospitals located in Panama, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Mexico and Spain. This role centers on developing strategies to position these amazing hospitals as leading destinations for medical tourism by attracting patients from diverse markets worldwide.

My primary focus is to create seamless, patient-centred experiences for international visitors, ensuring they receive high-quality medical care while feeling supported throughout their journey. Additionally, the role involves collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to establish efficient workflows, align branding across all locations, and identify growth opportunities in the global medical tourism sector. 

There are 20 hospitals and centres in the Hospiten group, from Spain to Mexico, Jamaica to Panama. Are there plans for expansion, and if so, which locations are you considering?

We are continuously modernising and expanding our centres to adapt to our patients' needs and incorporate cutting-edge technology. In this regard, we can highlight several key developments: at Hospiten Santo Domingo, we have built a new outpatient building and inaugurated the new emergency departments for both adult and paediatric patients. In Panama, at Hospital Paitilla, we are undergoing a comprehensive transformation process, completely modernising the facilities while adding new services and the latest medical technology. At Hospiten Estepona, located in Spain, the new facilities became operational this January, doubling the centre's capacity with the opening of the new adult and paediatric emergency department, outpatient consultations, and hospitalisation areas. Finally, we are excited about our upcoming project in Boadilla del Monte, Madrid, which is set to open in mid-2026. This new university general hospital represents another step forward in our commitment to bringing our services closer to more people, featuring modern facilities, state-of-the-art medical technology, and a highly qualified healthcare team.

There are many specialties in your facilities. Which are the most sought after?

We pride ourselves on offering a diverse range of specialties, each tailored to the needs of our international patients. The most sought-after can vary by location, as each centre has its own unique strengths based on local demand and expertise. For example, in Panama, our hospital is equipped with stateof-the-art technology, ensuring precision and excellence in every procedure. We take pride in our exceptional team of doctors that are focused on managing high-complexity cases in oncology, neurosurgery, cardiovascular surgery and orthopaedics. In Madrid, our affiliation with MD Anderson positions us as the main oncology centre, providing humanised care and alternative solutions for cancer patients that cannot find other options.

How important is the wellness sector for Hospiten?

We recognise the importance of integrating health and wellness in the global healthcare landscape. Many of our hospitals are strategically located in stunning destinations worldwide, such as the Caribbean, Mexico and Spain – places that naturally lend themselves to a focus on wellness. The international trend of combining health with wellness presents an incredible opportunity for Hospiten to expand our offerings. We are closely monitoring these market changes and actively exploring ways to integrate wellness into our services.

You are attending ITIC Americas in Miami. What are you hoping to get out of the conference this year?

Attending is a significant milestone for us, as it marks Hospiten’s debut at this prestigious event. As a global healthcare group, we are excited about the opportunity to introduce our international patient services and demonstrate how our network of hospitals is uniquely positioned to meet the needs of medical tourists across the Americas and beyond.

Our primary goal for this year’s conference is to establish meaningful connections with key players in the medical tourism and insurance industries, strengthen our brand presence, and showcase the comprehensive, patient-centred care that sets Hospiten apart. We are also keen to engage in conversations about industry trends, explore new partnerships, and identify opportunities for collaboration that will enhance the value we provide to international patients.