International Programs

The Council, in partnership with the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce, has hosted more than 200 health care leaders representing nearly 75 companies on nine international health care trade missions. These executive-level missions have provided delegates the opportunities to:

• Gain first-hand knowledge of the health systems and develop business opportunities abroad.
• Meet in small settings with U.S. Embassy leaders and government dignitaries.
• Establish high-level contacts among global private industry leaders, financial services executives and entrepreneurs, professional service organizations and industry associations.
• Gain expertise from other U.S. companies already doing business internationally.
• Benefit from the unparalleled leverage and access provided by an executive-level mission.

To date, Council missions have visited 17 cities in 14 countries, including Germany and the UK (1999), France and Spain (2000), Belgium and Italy (2002), the UK and the Netherlands (2003), Hungary and the Czech Republic (2004), Poland and Austria (2006), Sweden and Germany (2008), England and Scotland (2010), and Chile and Argentina (2010). The Council and Chamber also hosted a virtual trade mission to India in 2009 and participated in the State of Tennessee’s 2007 and 2009 missions to China. 

HCA Retired Chairman and CEO Jack Bovender recently served as mission leader of the 2010 International Health Care Trade Mission to Santiago, Argentina and Buenos Aires, Chile from November 14-19. Learn about the outcomes of the mission.

International News:

• The Tennessean: Journey opens doors in Far East (April 2012)
• South America Health Care Trade Mission Builds Relationships and Globally Positions Nashville (Nov. 2010)
• UK Study Mission Gives Delegates Up-Close Look at the British and Scottish Health Care Systems (March 2010)
• Tennessean Editorial by Swecare Foundation President Karin Lind-Mörnesten about the continued international partnerships created during the 2008 Trade Mission to Sweden and Germany (Dec. 2009)
• Seventh Health Care Trade Mission Establishes High-level Dialogue and Showcases Nashville Health Care Expertise in Sweden and Germany (Sept. 2008)

The Nashville Health Care Council trade missions offer exceptional opportunities for delegates to learn first-hand about the health care systems in the visited countries and to establish potentially long-term relationships with government and industry decision-makers at the highest levels. These trade missions have provided essential information that our company has utilized in guiding strategic international investments.

Tom Cigarran, Chairman Emeritus, Healthways