Professor Felice Eugenio Agro, Chief of Health Strategy & Business Development, The University Hospital Campus Bio – Medico of Rome   Medical Travel Today (MTT): What is your professional background and involvement in medical travel? Professor Felice Eugenio Agro (FA): The University Hospital Campus Bio – Medico of Rome is a general teaching hospital that provides excellent quality care. The hospital includes outpatient and day surgery departments, in-patient wards, and a Health Centre for the Elderly. In addition, we have a radiotherapy center and an out-patient clinic.  As our motto states, “Taking care of people means more than just treating them.” In the area of medical travel, we pay special attention, developing personal relationships with our international patients and family through a referring physician who coordinates consultations between several specialists.   MTT: How long has Campus Bio-Medico University been involved in medical travel? FA: Campus Bio-Medico University has been involved in medical travel since 2007, when the University moved to its new headquarters on a large campus. Moreover, in 2009 the General Directorate of the Hospital instituted a specific department of Medical Business Strategy, Health Strategy & Business Development Department (HSBDD). As chief of this department, I believe in medical travel and in its development because it allows us to go beyond healthcare-defined patterns.   MTT: Where do your patients come from and what types of treatment are they seeking? FA: Most of our foreign patients come to us from European countries and the United Arab Emirates. Orthopedics & Traumatology (knee, shoulder, spine surgery), gynecology, surgical oncology, reconstructive and plastic surgery tend to be the most sought after care areas.   MTT: What is your strategy for attracting additional medical travel patients? FA: The biggest thing we’re doing is developing a network of international medical travel operators, companies, hotel groups and healthcare providers, including private clinics and research centers specializing in medical technology.   We’re also collaborating on a scientific level with universities and research centers in the United States, Europe and the Far East. We believe these efforts will raise awareness for our services and help drive more patients to us for care.   Part Two of this interview will appear in Issue 25.   About Professor Felice Eugenio Agro Professor Agro is Chairman of Postgraduate School of Anesthesia and Intensive Care and Chief of the Health Strategy and Business Development Department at the University School of Medicine Campus Bio-Medico of Rome. Professor Agro has traveled abroad to visit numerous institutions actively engaged in medical travel and is working to apply the best practices to his organization.  He is eager to explore cooperative and beneficial relationships with others engaged in providing quality medical travel experiences to consumers. He can be reached through his Assistant Dr. Alessia Pellegrino at [email protected]