Passport Health Press Room

Baltimore SmartCEO Magazine Announces Winners of 2012 Future 50 Awards

2012-01-19T08:28:00.000-08:00

SmartCEO magazine is pleased to announce the winners for the 2012 SmartCEO/ Clifton Gunderson Future 50 awards, which recognizes the Greater Baltimore area’s 50 fastest-growing companies based on employee and revenue growth over the past three years.

Baltimore, MD – December 6, 2011 – Baltimore SmartCEO magazine is pleased to announce the winners for the 2012 Baltimore SmartCEO/ Baltimore Marriott Waterfront Future 50 awards, which recognizes the area’s 50 fastest-growing companies based on employee and revenue growth over the past three years. The impressive group leads companies that boast $5 billion in collective revenues and manage more than 26,000 employees in the Greater Baltimore area.

In addition to the group of Future 50 winners, SmartCEO recognizes Emerging Growth and Blue Chip winners. Emerging Growth companies generate $1 to $5 million in revenue, but have experienced significant revenue and employee growth over the last three years. Blue Chip companies generate more than $250 million in revenue, have demonstrated steady growth and have a reputation for providing high-quality management, products and services.

“Comprehensive growth is applause-worthy in healthy economic times. This year’s group of winners has ignored the recession and created innovative new avenues for growth. The business community is healthier and stronger due to their efforts,” said SmartCEO magazine President and Co-founder Craig Burris.

SmartCEO magazine will profile local award winners in the January 2012 issue of the publication in Baltimore, Philadelphia and Washington, reaching 60,000 print and digital subscribers. Thursday, January 19, SmartCEO will announce the winners on-stage in front of more than 650 leaders of the local business community at a black-tie optional dinner reception hosted at Baltimore Marriott Waterfront in Baltimore, MD.

Winners are unranked and were selected purely based on their growth numbers. Over 120 nominations were submitted for review.

About SmartCEO magazine

SmartCEO magazine is a regional business publication for leaders of growing companies, providing features, analysis and case studies each month to educate and inspire the Mid-Atlantic’s thought leaders. SmartCEO magazine’s 60,000 print and digital readers range from CEOs of young, dynamic companies to established multi-generational family-owned firms.

2012 Baltimore SmartCEO/ Baltimore Marriott Waterfront Future 50 Awards Winners

Future 50
1ST TEAM Staffing Services, Inc.
A2LA
Ascend One Corp./CareOne Services, Inc.
AttivaSoft
Baseball Factory Inc.
Beacon Staffing Alternatives
BRMi
Centric Business Systems, Inc.
ConnectYourCare
Control Cable, Inc.
Convergence Technology Consulting
Cornerstone Records Management
Edaptive Systems, LLC
Enoch Office Equipment
E-Structors, Inc.
Exceptional Software Strategies
Fireline Corporation
FrontierMEDEX
GANTECH Inc.
GERSTEL, Inc.
Goel Management, LLC
Greenspring Energy
Hamilton Federal Bank
Hertzbach & Company, P.A.
High Street Partners Howard Bank IMC Consulting Intelect Corporation IntelliGenesis LLC Merritt Athletic Clubs Nations Photo Lab Offit Kurman, Attorneys at Law OpalStaff Orbis Technologies, Inc. Passport Health PCI Strategic Management Renegade Communications Respira Medical Rollins-PCI Construction Rooftop Communications, LLC Ross Technologies, Inc. (RTGX) Specialized Engineering The Atlantic Remodeling Corporation Thompson Creek Window Company ThompsonGas Trusant Technologies, LLC Vision Technologies, Inc. Y of Central Maryland WorkforceTactix, Inc. Zenoss
Emerging Growth	Blue Chip
Allegeant	Education Affiliates
B&D Consulting, Inc.	LifeBridge Health and Fitness
Clear Resolution Consulting, LLC	Medifast, Inc.
Kayden Premier Enterprises Inc.	MedStar Health
Unleashed Technologies, LLC	W.R. Grace

CONTACT:
Makenna Henry
Marketing Manager
SmartCEO magazine
Phone: 443.278.9211
Email: mhenry@smartceo.com

PASSPORT HEALTH, TRAVEL INDUSTRY LEADERS GEAR UP FOR THE NATIONAL TOUR ASSOCIATION’S CONVENTION

2011-12-06T06:04:00.001-08:00

BALTIMORE, MD – 12/06/2011 – Jorge Eduardo Castillo, Passport Health's Corporate Director of Business Development & Marketing, will speak at the 2011 National Tour Association Convention in Las Vegas, Nevada, December 5th to the 9th. Passport Health is the leading provider of travel medical services and immunizations in the U.S. The company's travel medicine specialists counsel and prepare travelers whether they are traveling for business, leisure, mission or volunteer work.

“We are honored to be a part of this conference,” commented Castillo. “As thought leaders in our industry, we put a lot of emphasis and resources on patient education. You have to 'know before you go' or you run the risk of succumbing to unnecessary ailments,” he said. “Travel industry leaders need to understand the importance of travel health counseling and immunizations. This can make the difference between a trip of a lifetime and a trip no one wants to remember.”

The National Tour Association (NTA) is the leading association for travel industry professionals to and from North America. There are over 40 Countries and 600 destinations represented. “What sets NTA tour operators apart is the high-quality service they provide their clients. And nothing supersedes the clients' safety and health,” said Lisa Simon, president of NTA. “Passport Health will help our members understand how to prepare their customers for overseas travel. The more tour operators can learn about what can go wrong, the better they can make sure everything goes right.”

Mr. Castillo will be speaking about the importance of travel medicine as a crucial component of the trip planning process during the education seminar titled The Business Case Behind Protecting Your Client’s Health. “One of the issues we will be discussing is the correlation between seeing a travel medicine specialist and a decrease in travel-related illnesses,” continued Castillo. “This means a healthy traveler, good reviews for the travel agent and a return-client for the future. Everyone wins.”

Earlier this year Castillo traveled to Dakar, Senegal to speak to the Africa Travel Association's (ATA) delegates during the ATA 36th Annual World Global Congress. Oftentimes, leisure and business travelers are left to find resources on their own or are advised to visit a health department; neither option is adequate for an individual who is traveling to areas in certain underdeveloped countries like India, China, Brazil, Peru and even some parts of Europe.

About Passport Health: Passport Health is an innovative network of travel immunization clinics with offices in 36 states and 200 offices nationwide. The company’s business model is unique in the medical service industry. The Vaccine Specialists® counsel travelers before their departure and provide them with destination-specific travel information, a complete line of travel and wellness immunizations, specialty travel products and travel and evacuation insurance. Passport Health has positioned itself to support the needs of corporations with itsflexible on-site immunization programs—including on-site flu clinics, on-site travel medical services and on-site wellness clinics.

***

Tammy Broghammer
tammy.broghammer@passporthealthusa.com
410.727.0556

Boys and Young Men Should Be Vaccinated Against Human Papillomavirus (HPV)

2011-10-26T13:36:00.000-07:00

Passport Health Ready to Assist in Vaccination Efforts Nationwide

BALTIMORE, MD – 10/26/2011—TheAdvisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) of the Centers for DiseaseControl and Prevention issued a new recommendation for the HPVvaccine yesterday. The ACIPrecommends the vaccination for boys ages 11 and 12. It also recommends vaccination of males ages 13 through 21who had not already had all three shots. “The HPV vaccine may be given to boysas young as 9,” said Fran Lessans, CEO of Passport Health, the nation’slargest private provider of travel medical services and immunizations in thenation.

“The ACIP recommended this vaccine for girls and young women between theages of 11 to 26 back in 2006, but vaccination rates in the United States haveso far been very disappointing,” she added. By age 50, up to 80% of women in the U.S. will have contractedHPV. While most infections willclear out on their own, some will progress to become genital warts and cancerand this is the main concern for health care officials.
HPV is also linked to other types of cancer beyond cervical cancer. “Accordingto the CDC there have been over 8,500 cases of HPV-positive head and neckcancer cases in 2010, including throat cancer,” commented Lessans. PassportHealth’s nationwide offices carry all ACIP-recommended vaccinationsfor travel and generalwellness vaccines, including the HPV vaccine.

By vaccinating young boys against HPV the incidence ofHPV-positive cancers is expected to decrease in both men and women. When discussing routine childhood andadolescent vaccinations, Dr. Alex Lupenko, Corporate Medical Director ofPassport Health and infectious disease specialist, underscored the importanceof these vaccinations. “This vaccine plays an extremely important role inpreventing the transmission of HPV,” he said. “It is as important as any otherchildhood vaccination like Measles,Mumps, Rubella, Polio,Tetanus& Diphtheria and all the other vaccines that young kids receive.”

Hereare some U.S. statistics to consider:

· There are new data suggesting that there is a linkbetween HPV and heart disease in women.

· 80% of women will have an HPV infection in theirlifetime.

· Only 49% of women have had at least one of the threerecommended doses of the HPV vaccine.

· Less than 30% of them had received the entire 3-shotseries.

· 8,500 HPV-positive head and neck cancer cases in 2010alone.

· Hispanic women had the highest incidence rate forcervical cancer. African American women had the second highest rate of gettingcervical cancer, followed by Caucasian, American Indian/Alaska Native, andAsian/Pacific Islander women.

· Persistent infections with high-risk HPVs are theprimary cause of cervical cancer.

o 2010 Cervical Cancer cases: 12,710

o 2010 Cervical Cancer Deaths: 4,290

· HPV infections also cause some cancers of the vulva,vagina, penis, and oropharynx.

“This concerns all of us. As a developed a nation we do not understand why vaccinationrates are so low and why 4,000 women must die of cervical cancer every year,”stated Lessans. “By vaccinatingboys and men against HPV we not only protect them against infection or certaincancers, but we are also protecting unvaccinated women,” she concluded.

Passport Health has HPV vaccinations available in all of itsoffices nationwide. Please call 1-888-499-PASS(7277)to make an appointment. Ask yourPassport Health representative about our evening and weekend hours. For more information or to learn moreabout HPV visit www.passporthealthusa.com.

-Jorge Eduardo Castillo
Jorge.Castillo@passporthealthusa.com

Protecting Your Clients’ Health

2011-09-29T11:03:00.000-07:00

By: Jorge Castillo
Corporate Director of Business Development, Passport Health

as printed in the September Edition of the National Tour Association's Courier Magazine

If you are a travel professional booking cruises, tours or other getaways, knowing the health and security risks affecting your travelers at their destination not only is ethical but a legal responsibility that has been upheld in federal court. The duty to warn and inform can be alleviated simply by recommending that the traveler visit a travel medicine specialist, ideally two to four weeks prior to departure.

THE TRAVELER MUST BE PROTECTED

It wasn’t too long ago that China and India were considered remote destinations for the leisure traveler. Now, almost 2 million Americans visit China and Hong Kong annually and more than 1 million travel to India every year for leisure and business purposes. Travel to Asian and African countries continues to rise and with it the exposure of travelers to potentially fatal diseases increases. U.S. courts have taken notice of what can happen to travelers if they are not prepared for an international trip. In fact, the courts have shown us that they tend to weigh heavily in favor of the traveler. For instance, in the 1994 case Stafford v. Intrav, Inc., the court ruled that a travel agent has a duty to disclose information if it is not “obvious and apparent” to the client. As a general rule travel sellers are under an ongoing obligation to discover readily available information that may have a negative impact on the travel contract (such as health hazards and outbreaks) and disclose that information to the consumer. Because the travel agent is a professional with higher access to information, he/she must disclose any information that could potentially adversely affect the client’s trip.

AN OPPORTUNITY TO GROW YOUR BUSINESS
Taking care of your clients’ well being should not be looked upon as a burden. It just takes one mosquito bite to turn a dream vacation into a nightmare. Many potentially fatal diseases are transmitted through the bites of infected mosquitoes. Making sure that your client visits a travel medicine specialist should therefore be viewed as an investment that will have both short- and long-term benefits to your business. Furthermore, creating packages to more exotic locations and making sure that your clients understand that their safety and health are of your utmost concern means that they will be comfortable choosing to go anywhere you are confident to take them.

By recommending a travel medicine specialist to your traveler, you immediately are positioning yourself as an experienced tour operator. You understand what determines the success of a trip. You ensure that your overseas business partners are reliable, that the transportation shows up on time and that the hotel delivers on its promises. Why then would you neglect the most important variable in a travel itinerary: the traveler’s health?

Even an episode of traveler’s diarrhea, which affects 40 to 60 percent of the traveling public, can derail a well-planned itinerary. If untreated, it can be a serious medical problem and potentially have long-term consequences. However, with the proper preparation, travelers who encounter it will have everything they need to treat it and continue on without missing a beat.

RELEVANCE FOR TOUR OPERATORS AND TRAVEL AGENTS
Central America, the Caribbean, Asia and South America are major tourist and business destinations. Diseases like Hepatitis A, Dengue fever, Yellow fever and Typhoid fever may be fatal or have lifelong effects on some patients. Sorting Protecting Your Clients’ Health through the necessary vaccinations is a ask that should be left to a trained medical professional.

Cruises are not exceptions either. Mosquitoes can and do make it from the shorelines onto the cruise ships, and travelers should be educated on how to properly apply mosquito repellent or be immunized if necessary. Food, water and other safety precautions affect the traveler inside the cruise ship but also at ports of call when the traveler disembarks.

Like any other medical specialty, travel medicine is very specific to each individual. The World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention post recommendations that serve as guidelines. But to adequately counsel someone who is traveling and recommend the proper protection, the travel medicine specialist must consider all variables that might affect the traveler. These include health history, prior vaccinations, specific activities, length of stay, seasonality and altitude, among others.

A PREPARED TRAVELER
Your staff is comfortable discussing high-end tour packages to exotic locations like Vietnam, Tanzania, Brazil and Peru. You focus on the incredible sites and activities the traveler can enjoy. After explaining that travelers should consult a travel medicine specialist, you should be able to articulate why it is important to do so. Remember, vaccinations are but one piece of a traveler’s health. Many diseases only are preventable through education; the traveler needs to know what he/she must do to stay well.

The client books a first-time safari experience in Tanzania. While at the hotel, despite the travel medicine specialist’s recommendations, the traveler accidently ingests some water while brushing his teeth. In a few hours he develops a painful and serious case of traveler’s diarrhea. He immediately knows the steps to take. Within hours he is feeling fine, and his schedule has not been derailed. If it wasn’t for the referral of the tour operator, the traveler would not have gotten the pre-travel advice and would not have had the necessary tools to deal with a common ailment that can interfere with a trip or, even worse, become fatal.

AN UNPREPARED TRAVELER
You or your staff does not feel comfortable discussing with clients the need to visit a travel medicine specialist prior to their trips to an exotic location. You are concerned that if you mention travel health to clients, they will get scared or turned off and decide not to travel. The traveler books the trip and goes to Tanzania, unvaccinated, uneducated and without any medical provisions. (These provisions include first-aid kits, mosquito kits with repellants, sunscreen and permethrin, portable water purifiers and diarrhea kits.)

The traveler brushes his teeth with tap water, unaware that it takes only a few cells of Escherichia coli to infect him. In a few hours he has a severe case of traveler’s diarrhea, and he feels weak. He develops a fever, sweats and chills and does not have the energy to go on the first leg of his safari. The fever and chills continue for more than 48 hours. It gets so bad that he has to seek medical attention.

Unfortunately, the only thing available is a rural clinic where hygiene standards are inferior. (A travel medicine specialist would have recommended travel and evacuation insurance, so that the traveler is guided or transported to a hospital which has been vetted and meets U.S. standards.) Although the traveler receives antibiotics, he has lost three of the 10 days of his vacation. When he comes home he does not speak of the wonderful parks he visited or the majestic vistas he witnessed. Instead, he tells the story of how miserable he was, stuck in his hotel room for two days suffering from terrible abdominal pains, diarrhea and fever and how frightening it was seeking medical attention in a sub-standard clinic from people who did not speak his language.

A FAMILY DOCTOR IS NOT ENOUGH
Travel health, security and having an evacuation plan if necessary are as important as having airline tickets, visas and passports. Relying on a family practitioner or a primary care doctor is not enough either. Remember, travel medicine is its own specialty. One has to dedicate his/her entire practice in order to be able to keep up with the changes that occur every day. For example, some drugs build resistance over time, and the travel medicine specialist has to keep up with the changing environment in order to prescribe the correct malaria prophylaxes.

Outbreaks also occur on a daily basis, and unless the provider constantly is receiving information from people on the ground in the hot-spot areas, there is no way that a primary care physician can be on top of the information.

Founded in 1994, Passport Health is a leading provider of travel health information and immunizations for international travelers, major corporations, universities and other international organizations. Its nationwide staff is comprised of professionals that include board-certified physicians and registered nurses who have completed rigorous training in the field of travel medicine and immunology. Passport Health currently operates 190 locations in 36 states.

For more information on where to locate travel medicine specialists
throughout the United States, visit www.passporthealthusa.com or call 888.499.7277. To learn more about protecting your travelers’ health, plan to attend Jorge Castillo’s session
Wednesday, Dec. 7, 3:15–4:30 p.m. at the NTA Convention in Las Vegas.

This article was published in the September 2011 Issue of Courier. You can view this article on page 15. http://onlinedigitalpublishing.com/publication/?i=80066&

FLU SEASON ARRIVES

2011-09-26T11:26:00.000-07:00

Passport Health Offers Flu Vaccinationsat the Workplace

BALTIMORE, MD – 9/27/2011—Flu season is around the corner and Passport Health, the nation’slargest private provider of travel medical services and immunizations, hasalready completed several on-site flu clinics for their corporate clients. “Flu season typically begins in Octoberin the U.S.,” said Fran Lessans, the company’s founder and CEO. “It may take upto two weeks for individuals to develop an immune response to the vaccine so itis not unusual for us to begin immunization clinics in mid-September,” sheadded. Last year, the Centers forDisease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported influenza activity in the U.S. asearly as the first week of October.

Though it’s easy to brush-off theflu as a common illness, the reality is that influenza is a serious upperrespiratory disease with life-threatening complications for some individuals.Between 25,000 and 35,000 Americans die every year as a result of influenza, sotaking preventive steps is important. A recent study suggests that the 2010-2011 flu season resulted in the lossof 100 million work days along with $7 billion in lost wages and 32 millionmissed school days.

Because every flu season is different, the CDC recommendsthat all individuals over the age of 6 months receive their yearly flushot. “The flu vaccine is the bestway to prevent the influenza illness,” continued Lessans. “Passport Health is committed toreducing the occurrence and impact of the flu by offering flu vaccinations at all of our 200 officesnationwide,” she noted. TheVaccine Specialists® alsoadminister flu shots during their on-site flu clinics at schools, universities,Fortune 500 corporations and other businesses.

Guidelines and information for this year’s flu season:

· CDC recommends an annual flu vaccine as the first andbest way to protect against influenza.

· Everyone 6 months of age and older should get a fluvaccine as soon as the 2011-2012 vaccines are available, even if they werevaccinated last season.

· Get your fluvaccine now so you will be protected during flu season.

· Although influenza is unpredictable, so far,circulating influenza viruses are well-matched with the viruses that thevaccine will protect against; therefore, this season’s vaccine should offerprotection.

· New vaccination options this season include: intradermalvaccine given with a smaller needle and the high dose vaccine for people 65years and older.

Skipping vaccination can put youand your family at unnecessary risk. “You may carry the virus and not come down with the flu, but you couldeasily pass it along to your children, spouse and other members in yourhousehold. Family members,particularly if they are young, older, immune-compromised or suffering from achronic condition like diabetes or asthma are especially at risk,” concludedLessans.

Passport Health has fluvaccinations available in all of its offices nationwide. For more informationor to learn more about flu clinics visit www.passporthealthusa.com/specialty_services/flu_clinics/

or call 1-888-499-PASS(7277).

Jorge EduardoCastillo

Jorge.castillo@passporthealthusa.com

PASSPORT HEALTH, TRAVEL INDUSTRY LEADERS GEAR-UP FOR THE GLOBAL CONGRESS ON TRAVEL

2011-08-23T07:01:00.000-07:00

BALTIMORE, MD – 8/23/2011 – Jorge Eduardo Castillo, Passport Health’s Corporate Director of Business Development & Marketing, will speak at the 2011 Global Congress on Legal, Safety, and Security Solutions in Travel, on August 25-28, 2011 in Houston, TX. Passport Health is the leading provider of travel medical services and immunizations in the U.S. The Global Congress is the only conference in the world to focus on the legal, safety, and security issues.

Mr. Castillo will be speaking about the importance of travel medicine as a major component in a corporation’s travel management program. He will be joined by two experts in this field: Dr. Myles Druckman, Vice President, Medical Services, Americas Region, International SOS Assistance and Dr. Fernando Stein, Baylor College of Medicine/Texas Children's Hospital. He will be moderating the panel Contagious Outbreaks: Appropriate Responses in all Sectors of Public Accommodation.

“This topic is of utmost importance to those managing their company’s travel program and those providing legal advice concerning duty of care,” said Mr. Castillo. “Among some of the issues we will be discussing is the current state of corporate preparedness vis a vis outbreaks at corporate travel destinations,” he added. “One of the biggest problems we see is the lack of a comprehensive pre-departure strategy that addresses how the traveler will access counseling, travel immunizations and medications from a travel medicine specialist. Oftentimes, the business traveler is left to find resources on his own or is advised to visit a health department; neither option is adequate for an individual traveling for business, especially to underdeveloped areas, like India, China, Brazil and other areas.”
General sessions of the congress will address pressing issues such as The Media's Role in Creating and Sustaining a Travel Crisis, Common Issues and Solutions for Travel Safety and Security: The Industry Perspective and Global Best Practices in Transportation Safety & Security - Air, Sea, and Ground.
“This conference will provide a holistic dialogue among all aspects of the travel equation and enable them to share their legal, safety, and security experiences and best practices,” said Stephen Barth, Founder of HospitalityLawyer.com. Our objective is to facilitate the delivery of safe, secure and uninterrupted travel.

Barth notes that while many conferences focus on one aspect of the travel industry, such as maritime or aviation, the Global Congress will be a one-of-a-kind opportunity for industry professionals and consultants to come together to discuss the latest issues and challenges that face the global travel, tourism, and hospitality industries.

About Passport Health: Passport Health is an innovative network of travel immunization clinics with offices in 36 states and 185 offices nationwide. The company’s business model is unique in the medical service industry. The Vaccine Specialists® counsel travelers before their departure and provide them with destination-specific travel information, a complete line of travel and wellness immunizations, specialty travel products and travel and evacuation insurance.

Passport Health has positioned itself to support the needs of corporations with its flexible on-site immunization programs—including on-site flu clinics, on-site travel medical services and on-site wellness clinics.

About HospitalityLawyer.com: HospitalityLawyer.com is the leading global network of people, products and services that deliver legal, safety and security solutions to the hospitality industry.

***

Tammy Broghammer
tammy.broghammer@passporthealthusa.com
410.727.0556

Passport Health Corporate Director to Attend and Speak at the Africa Travel Association’s 36th Annual World Congress

2011-05-25T12:12:00.000-07:00

BALTIMORE, MD–5/24/11– The Africa Travel Association’s (ATA) signature event will be held in Dakar, Senegal. The five-day congress provides a unique networking, learning and agenda-shaping platform for hundreds of travel professionals in Africa, including African mandataries, tourism ministers, industry experts representing tourism boards, travel agencies and tour operators, ground operators, airlines and hotels. The travel medicine industry will be represented by Passport Health’s Corporate Director, Mr. Jorge Eduardo Castillo, who also serves as an International Board Member for the ATA. Passport Health is the leading provider of travel medical services and immunizations in the U.S. The company’s travel medicine specialists counsel and prepare travelers whether they are traveling for business, leisure, mission or volunteer work.

“I am honored to have been selected to speak at this prestigious event and I am looking forward to forging relationships with industry leaders,” said Mr. Castillo. He will be a panelist in an education session titled “Working with tour operators on both sides of the Atlantic,” where he will focus on Travel Medicine and Travel Health Education as crucial components of a comprehensive, multi-national campaign to increase safe tourism and business in Africa. The panel will be lead by Ms. Lisa Simon, President, National Tour Association (NTA).

“Unfortunately, there are some who perceive Africa as a dangerous place because of its reputation for dangerous diseases,” commented Mr. Castillo. “The reality is that diseases are present in Asia, South America, Central America, Mexico and the Caribbean as well. International travelers must be educated, immunized and well prepared so that their trip unfolds without a hitch,” he added. In addition to travel vaccinations, travelers should be aware of security issues, visa restrictions and food and water precautions. “Passport Health is a one-stop destination for the international traveler,” he said. “For example, we partner with organizations like Travisa, which took care of my visa and passport, Global Rescue, which is my travel and evacuation insurance provider, and SteriPEN, the company which is providing me with a ultraviolet-light portable water purifier the size of a pen,” he concluded. Passport Health has a full line of hard-to-find specialty travel products specifically designed to keep travelers healthy during their trip.

Mr. Castillo will also be leading a second education session titled “New On-Line & Social Media Marketing Tools – Best Practices and Success Stories,” where he will be joined by Mr. Diego J. Lofeudo, Director of Market Management, Eastern Mediterranean and Africa, Expedia Travel. The focus will be elevating Africa marketing into the 21st century by using online and social media marketing tools.

About Passport Health: Passport Health is an innovative network of travel immunization clinics with offices in 36 states and 185 offices nationwide. The company’s business model is unique in the medical service industry. The Vaccine Specialists® counsel travelers before their departure and provide them with destination-specific travel information, a complete line of travel and wellness immunizations, specialty travel products and travel and evacuation insurance.

Passport Health has positioned itself to support the needs of corporations with its flexible on-site immunization programs—including on-site flu clinics, on-site travel medical services and on-site wellness clinics. The company gained national attention when it mobilized doctors and nurses to publishing and postal facilities along the east coast after the 2001 Anthrax attacks. Their experts also prepared relief workers and relatives of victims of the 2004 tsunami in Indonesia and responded to the aftermath of hurricane Katrina, in 2005, by deploying nurses to the Gulf Coast to vaccinate utility and relief workers.

***end***

Tammy Broghammer

tammy.broghammer@passporthealthusa.com

410.727.0556

Passport Health’s CEO Speaks at MediTourExpo 2011

2011-05-23T13:50:00.000-07:00

BALTIMORE, MD – 5/23/2011 – Fran Lessans, Founder and CEO of Passport Health, has been invited to speak at the MediTourExpo 2011 in Las Vegas, NV. The conference is taking place May 23rd and 24th and is expected to attract hundreds of medical tourism professionals and related industries, including international healthcare and travel. The annual conference is committed to providing assistance to the global healthcare and worldwide medical travel industry. The conference set its goals to provide a platform for leading experts and lecturers as well as to create networking opportunities for commercial and government investors. “I am honored to be part of this very important conference,” commented Lessans. “All forecasts seem to indicate continued growth in this sector,” she added.

Passport Health, the largest private provider of travel medical services and immunizations in the U.S., provides country specific counseling and immunizations for international travelers. According to Healthcare Finance News (June 2009), the medical tourism industry is projected to grow from $50 billion to $100 billion by 2012. State of the art hospitals throughout the world are offering alternatives to receiving medical procedures in the U.S. or other developed countries. Typically, these procedures, such as knee and hip replacements, heart valve replacements and face lifts, just to name a few, are performed by U.S. trained physicians who are equipped with the latest technology and techniques. Prices for these procedures are significantly lower in countries such as India where a medical tourist, for example, can expect to pay $9,000 for a heart valve replacement vs. $160,000 in the U.S. (American Medical Association, 2007).

“We recognize this trend and continue to stress the importance of being well-prepared, immunized and well-informed before traveling,” noted Lessans. “Some countries, such as Thailand, Malaysia and India have very different infectious disease-related epidemiology than North America or Europe. Exposure to diseases can be a hazard for all individuals, specifically with respect to gastrointestinal diseases like Hepatitis A, amoebic dysentery or typhoid; mosquito-transmitted diseases like Yellow Fever; and air-borne-transmitted illnesses such as influenza (flu) and pneumonia. If you are ill, you can’t go ahead with your surgery,” she concluded.

Passport Health is dedicated to providing individualized preventive medical care for international travelers. Whether they are traveling for medical reasons, business, leisure, or going on a mission trip, travelers are counseled by Travel Medicine Specialists who:

Assess the travelers’ health history & individual needs based on their itinerary
Provide information and counseling on health risks, required & recommended immunizations, safety precautions & security tips, as well as political and medical evacuation
Discuss precautionary measures for dietary and recreational activities
Administer and prescribe immunizations and medications

Travelers also have access to specialty travel products, like portable water purifiers and protection kits for malaria, diarrhea, and water purification as well as travel support products such as alert services and rental phones.

MediTourExpo will feature an array of speakers who are recognized experts in their fields. Among the speakers are: The Honorable Lorraine T. Hunt-Bono, who has been a Las Vegas and Nevada Hospitality Industry executive for 30 years, David Boucher, MPH, FACHE, who currently serves as President and Chief Operating Officer of Companion Global Healthcare, Inc., and Dale C. Van Demark, a Member of Epstein, Becker Green's Health Care and Life Sciences and Business Law practices, in the firm's Washington, DC, office.

About Passport Health: Founded in 1994 Passport Health is a leading provider of travel health information and immunizations for international travelers, major corporations, universities and other international organizations. We prepare travelers for their trip with destination-specific travel information, immunizations, specialty travel products, and international travel health insurance. Our nationwide staff is comprised of professionals that include board-certified physicians and registered nurses who have completed rigorous training in the field of travel medicine and immunology.

The company has over 180 locations in 36 states throughout the U.S. Our on-site services for employers and schools include onsite clinics for Flu, Meningitis, and more. Passport Health has provided anthrax vaccinations and smallpox vaccination training and has worked with the US military, Post Office, and Federal employees and ran a 24/7 immunization call center for the Department of Defense.

Remedies for the Road

2011-05-20T07:46:00.000-07:00

Simple and inexpensive precautions can stem illness on summer travel

By LAURA LANDRO- online.wsj.com

Ah, the pleasures of planning a summer vacation: exotic destinations, new adventures, a break from the daily routines of home.

After a certain age, though, it's also important to plan for health hazards. In addition to the vaccines recommended for many countries, it's a good idea to get a prescription for an antibiotic like Cipro in case you encounter a case of traveler's diarrhea, and to stock up on anti-malarial drugs if you are visiting countries where the disease is endemic.

It's also wise to anticipate some of the things that can go wrong when you are far from your doctor and the corner pharmacy, from more prosaic issues like dental problems to serious medical emergencies and complications of existing health conditions. As a frequent traveler, chronic worrier and germ freak, I think about everything that can go wrong from head to toe, and pack accordingly.

More Vulnerable
As we age, our bodies can become more susceptible to issues such as heat exhaustion, dehydration, and just simple fatigue and stomach upsets. We are less likely to be able to withstand the microbes that may lurk in the food sold by street vendors in Asian countries or the fresh sugarcane drinks on the beach in Brazil. Heavy air pollution in countries like China can take a greater toll on our lungs and exacerbate chronic conditions like asthma. And older adults are at higher risk of problems like blood clots in the legs from long plane journeys.

Fran Lessans, a nurse and the founder and chief executive of Passport Health, which runs travel clinics around the country, says more patients age 50-plus are visiting areas like Cambodia, China, Vietnam, Belize and Africa. Many consider themselves seasoned travelers because they've spent plenty of time in Europe and other developed areas, "but those are the ones that get caught off guard when they get to an underdeveloped country and aren't prepared for all the things that can go wrong."

In addition to getting recommended vaccines, Ms. Lessans suggests travelers take along extra doses of prescription medications and medical equipment such as asthma inhalers in case anything gets lost in transit. She also recommends an oral rehydration product to replace electrolytes lost in the dehydration resulting from diarrhea or sweating. For long plane journeys, she recommends compression stockings, which can improve lower leg circulation and prevent blood clots. Studies also suggest that melatonin supplements, taken at bedtime, may help with jet lag, especially in older travelers.

Many such aids are inexpensive, small and easy to pack, such as hand sanitizer. A $15 pure-drinking-water straw has a filter that can remove virtually all of the contaminants in drinking water if you can't get bottled water you can trust. Compact first-aid kits with wound wash and bandages can be lifesavers when it comes to cuts and blisters. In addition to insect repellent for the skin, spray clothes and sleeping bags with permethrin, which kills chiggers, mites, mosquitoes and ticks, and lasts up to two weeks even with laundering. Always pack sunscreen, as it can be hard to find in higher strengths, even in places like the Caribbean.

Paul Auerbach, a Stanford University physician and author of "Medicine for the Outdoors," recommends a thorough dental exam before trips, because loose or cracked teeth, abscesses or gum disease can turn into problems far from home.

Watch Your Step
Dr. Auerbach notes that wearing bifocal glasses to correct the classic over-50 vision issue—presbyopia, or the inability to focus on objects nearby—can lead to stumbles and falls; the lower part of the glasses, meant for reading, can blur the image down at your feet. He suggests wearing distance glasses or contact lenses and using walking sticks for rough terrain, and keeping reading glasses in a pocket.

Another essential, according to Dr. Auerbach: a medical-evacuation insurance plan for the worst-case scenario. Sandy and John Searles, now both 68, were hunting on a remote mountain in Ethiopia two years ago when Mr. Searles's eyes glazed over and he began gasping for breath. His wife recognized that he was having a stroke, and with the help of their guides she got him down the mountain for the 4½-hour drive to Addis Ababa to seek medical attention.

Ms. Searles had a purchased a medical-evacuation plan from Boston-based Global Rescue, which works with medical experts at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore to assist members who run into health problems while traveling. (Rates start at about $119 for a single trip.) After she reached the company on a satellite phone, the staff arranged for his admission to a hospital in Addis Ababa, where he was stabilized, then secured a private plane to fly the couple to Nairobi, Kenya, for treatment by a neurosurgeon who consulted with Hopkins physicians. Global Rescue later arranged a commercial flight back home to Detroit accompanied by a paramedic for Mr. Searles, who has recovered well.

"Without them I don't know how I would have my husband with me today," says Ms. Searles. "If you are going to do this kind of travel at our age, it pays to take that extra step and think about getting rescued if need be."

Ms. Landro is an assistant managing editor for The Wall Street Journal and writes the paper's Informed Patient column. She can be reached at next@wsj.com.

Passport Health Announces Landmark Opening of its 180th Office

2011-04-26T10:21:00.000-07:00

BALTIMORE, MD–4/26/11: Passport Health, the leading provider of travel medical services and immunizations in the country, announced today the opening of its 180^th office in Lancaster, Ohio. “This marks a special moment in the evolution and growth of our company,” said Fran Lessans, Passport Health’s founder and CEO. “It took a lot of hard work to get to where we are today and I am proud of what we, as a group, have achieved.”

Passport Health is an innovative network of travel immunization clinics with offices in 36 states. The company’s business model is unique in the medical service industry. Whether you are traveling for business, leisure, or mission or volunteer work, Passport Health’s Travel Medicine Specialists can prepare you for your trip. The Vaccine Specialists® counsel travelers before their departure and provide them with destination-specific travel information, immunizations, specialty travel products and travel and evacuation insurance.

Passport Health will be opening offices in Utah and Nevada in May along with locations in Bakersfield and Oakland, California, and Waldorf, Maryland. “We will be at 185 locations by summer, just in time for travel season,” concluded Lessans.

Passport Health has positioned itself to support the needs of corporations with its flexible on-site immunization programs—including on-site flu clinics, on-site travel medical services and on-site wellness clinics. The company gained national attention when it mobilized doctors and nurses to publishing and postal facilities along the east coast after the 2001 Anthrax attacks. Their experts also prepared relief workers and relatives of victims of the 2004 tsunami in Indonesia and responded to the aftermath of hurricane Katrina, in 2005, by deploying nurses to the Gulf Coast to vaccinate utility and relief workers.

Passport Health is expanding its services to include physicals, drug tests, lab services and a comprehensive suite of wellness offerings. Passport Health’s growth has been steady, despite the recent recession. It operated 106 offices in 2006 and projects to surpass 200 offices by the end of 2011.

About Passport Health: Passport Health is the leading provider of travel medical services, immunizations and comprehensive wellness services. Passport Health has twice been named one of the “Top 50 Franchises,” by the Franchise Business Review, and won the 2009 and 2011 Franchisee Satisfaction Award. The company has been recognized and recommended by several institutions, including Johns Hopkins and the White House. Our nationwide staff is comprised of professionals that include board-certified physicians and registered nurses who have completed rigorous training in the field of travel medicine and immunology. Passport Health’s services include adult and adolescent immunizations for business and leisure travel, college, immigration, military readiness, disaster relief, and bioterrorism response. Our on-site services for employers and schools include onsite clinics for Flu, Meningitis, Hepatitis A & B, Pneumonia and more. Passport Health has provided Anthrax vaccinations and Smallpox vaccination training and has worked with the US military, Post Office, Federal employees and has run a 24/7 immunization call center for the Department of Defense.

Franchise Business Review Names 2011 Franchisee Satisfaction Award Winners

2011-02-22T12:54:00.000-08:00

Passport Health Among Top Franchisors with High Franchisee Satisfaction

BALTIMORE, MD -2/22/11 -Passport Health, the nation’s largest provider of Travel Medical Services and Immunizations, announced today that it was one of the recipients of Franchise Business Review’s 2011 Top Franchises award. Passport Health also earned this prestigious award in 2009. “We are thrilled to be a part of this elite group of Franchisors,” said Fran Lessans, Passport Health’s Founder and CEO. “It is an honor to be recognized by our Franchisees and very satisfying to see that the hard work and dedication we put forth for our franchise owners is appreciated.” Passport Health was recognized in the Health Category and in the Mid-Size Class (systems with 50-199 units). The company still has several franchise business opportunities and open territories.

Passport Health’s travel medicine clinics are a one-stop destination for the international traveler. Their travel medicine specialists counsel travelers in travel safety and security information, water and food precautions, mosquito-borne diseases and travel & evacuation insurance. Each clinic carries all vaccines necessary to protect travelers on their business trips, vacations, mission trips, safaris, study abroad semesters, or intercountry adoptions. The clinics also provide access to specialty travel products, such as mosquito nets and protection kits for malaria, travelers’ diarrhea and water purification. Travelers leave fully prepared for whatever challenges arise during their journey.

This unique franchise offers low start-up cost, low-overhead and is an ideal investment opportunity for both medical and non-medical professionals. The concept is simple and the opportunity is ever-growing, as territories are given for development without extra fees per location.

Franchise Business Review grants the Top Franchises Awards annually to franchisors with the highest overall franchisee satisfaction according to an annual survey of operators. The satisfaction awards were based on a survey of more than 10,000 franchisees representing more than 300 franchise brands. “Are we seeing higher satisfaction rates as the economy improves? Absolutely,” said Franchise Business Review President and CEO Eric Stites. “But many of the award-winning companies have maintained great satisfaction scores throughout the recession and only continue to improve. It’s very telling when you see a franchisor with impressive franchisee satisfaction even when the economy is struggling.”

For more information contact Passport Health’s Franchise Team at 410.727.0556.

Jorge Castillo
Corporate Director of Business Development
jorge.castillo@passporthealthusa.com
410.727.0556

Southern Hemisphere’s Summer Lures Travelers

2011-01-05T13:16:00.000-08:00

Tropical Outbreaks Warrant Vaccinations

BALTIMORE, MD– 1/6/2011–When temperatures drop in the northern hemisphere, travelers tend to escape to warmer destinations. Tropical climates harbor mosquitoes which may carry deadly diseases like Yellow fever. A current outbreak of Yellow Fever in Uganda is of utmost concern to travelers heading to that region, but travelers are cautioned to receive counseling and proper immunizations and travel vaccinations before traveling—not just to Uganda.

“U.S. travelers frequent European destinations during our summer months,” said Fran Lessans, CEO of Passport Health (www.passporthealthusa.com), the largest private provider of travel medicine services/immunizations in the United States. “But during our winter we see a shift away from Europe and towards tropical regions like the Caribbean, Africa and South America where 80 to 90 degree temperatures lure travelers away from the Nordic freeze.”

The situation in Uganda is all too familiar to Passport Health’s Travel Medicine Specialists. They administer and prescribe vaccinations and medications recommended by the CDC, WHO, and other world surveillance organizations that constantly monitor outbreaks and other health hazards that affect travelers when they arrive at their destination.The Vaccine Specialists, which counsel 20,000 clients each month through 170 locations provide country-specific information, immunizations, malaria prophylaxes and a suite of specialty travel products like protection kits for malaria, diarrhea, and water purification.

“The right information can prove critical when traveling abroad,” added Lessans. “Whether you are traveling for business, pleasure, or for an intercountry adoption or mission trip, there are some things you need to know to ensure you stay safe and healthy. We spend about one hour with each client,” added Lessans. “We cover everything from travel insurance to diseases which cannot be prevented with vaccinations. Our clients also watch an informational video and receive a personalized travel-health booklet." Passport Health’s clients include major corporations, universities and NGO’s.

There are Yellow Fever cases in The Congo DR, Cameroon and Cotes d’ Ivoire as well as Dengue Fever (another potentially deadly disease transmitted by mosquitoes) cases in South America, Central America, Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, and the Middle East.Dengue Fever recently took the life of three-time world surf champion Andy Irons.

All of Passport Health offices carry a variety of immunizations to protect against diseases like Polio, Yellow Fever, Hepatitis A and B, Meningitis, Rabies, Typhoid Fever, Japanese Encephalitis, Tetanus/Diphtheria/Pertussis, Shingles, Pneumococcal and Human Papilloma Virus.

An Entrepreneur Gives Back

2011-01-04T14:35:00.000-08:00

RETHINK AFRICA

2010-09-14T07:07:00.000-07:00

Business Leaders, Public Sector Officials, African Embassies to Attend One-of-a-Kind Event

BALTIMORE—09/13/2010–Passport Health (www.passporthealthusa.com), the nation’s largest private provider of travel medical services and immunizations, in conjunction with the Mid-Atlantic Chapter of the Africa Travel Association (www.africatravelassociation.org) (ATA), and Loyola University Maryland’s Sellinger School of Business and Management (www.loyola.edu/Graduate/Sellinger) officially announced John McDonough, Secretary of State of MD as the keynote speaker for Rethink Africa (www.rethinkafrica.net).

“We are honored that Secretary McDonough will be presenting the keynote address,” announced Jorge Castillo, Corporate Director of Business Development and Marketing at Passport Health. “We know that Africa is a beautiful destination and continues to attract leisure, volunteer and business travelers alike. Nevertheless, much of what people see or hear about Africa is negative. We want to showcase the good things Africa has to offer and the business opportunities which exist there.” According to Mr. Castillo, Rethink Africa has 3 main goals:

1. Shift the paradigm and reshape the perception of Africa

2. Expose business leaders to economic development opportunities in the continent

3. Connect public and private sectors with business leaders and potential international travelers

Eddie Bergman, Executive Director for the ATA, stated that “Africa is often mistakenly perceived as a country—not a continent—and one plagued with disease, wars and famine. Our goal is to change this inaccurate perception of Africa. ATA International Headquarters encourages the Mid-Atlantic Chapter to engage the Baltimore and surrounding communities in the Rethink Africa event to promote Destination Africa.”

Rethink Africa will take place at Loyola University Maryland (McGuire Hall) on October 12, 2010. “Lifelong learning and a global perspective are core elements of a Loyola education,” said Karyl B. Leggio, Ph.D., dean of the Sellinger School of Business and Management “We understand the importance of serving as a resource to our students and to the greater community for opportunities that will open doors and transform perspectives,” she continued. “This pivotal event will allow guests to learn more about international partnerships and enriching cultural and travel opportunities in Africa.”

Rethink Africa will feature a special message from President Bill Clinton and Governor Martin O’Malley. Michael Unger, a senior associate at the Institute for Strategy and Competitiveness at Harvard and associate professor of management and international business at Sellinger will also address the audience. Attendees will have an opportunity to network, enjoy African-themed hors d’oeuvres and be entertained by a grand musical production with African singers and dancers and a live band, conducted by Rethink Africa’s music director, Jimothy Rogers.

“All proceeds are going to two charitable organizations: The Carson Scholars Fund and the There Goes My Hero Foundation,” added Mr. Castillo. “We are gearing up for a fantastic event and invite all to join us to rediscover the magic, reconnect with business opportunities and retrace our roots.” Sponsorship opportunities are still available. Sponsors and exhibitors include Costco Travel, Travisa, Raptim Travel, the MD Governor’s Commission on African Affairs and Sanofi Pasteur, among others. Visit www.rethinkafrica.net for more information.

Passport Health becomes Charter Sponsor of PREACTION ALLIANCE™

2010-08-30T08:26:00.000-07:00

ROSWELL, GA – Economic globalization brings increased international business travel, and as a result, greater exposure to communicable illnesses.

The H1N1 pandemic that began last year in Mexico forced many companies to face this reality, and new threats are emerging continuously, with illnesses such as Yellow Fever, Hepatitis A & B, Malaria and Japanese Encephalitis confronting today’s business travelers.

The key to mitigating these threats is Passport Health (www.passporthealthusa.com), a leading provider of travel health information and immunizations for international travelers, major corporations, universities and other international organizations, and a Charter Sponsor of the recently launched PREACTION EMERGENCY RESPONSE ALLIANCE™.

The PREACTION ALLIANCE™ (www.preaction.com) is a first-of-its-type private network offering business continuity and disaster-response capabilities through a low monthly-fee, membership-based organization. By becoming a Charter Sponsor, Passport Health has provided its network of franchisees – which comprise more than 170 locations nationwide -- access to a free annual membership in the PREACTION ALLIANCE. Thereafter, Member benefits can be retained for less than $1 a day.

“Passport Health is committed to the health and well-being of all employees and our Vaccine Specialists are mission-ready to respond quickly to PREACTION ALLIANCE Members’ needs, including disaster relief and emergency preparedness,’’ said Fran Lessans, Passport Health CEO.

“The question about pandemics is not if, but when they will happen. We just saw the impact that the H1N1 pandemic had on corporate productivity,’’ Lessans added. “All businesses should have a pandemic plan in place and have a plan to deliver antivirals to employees if necessary. Passport Health’s presence in the PREACTION ALLIANCE assures that vaccines are available to Members and that they can be administered in short notice.”

The PREACTION ALLIANCE was developed by Firestorm® (www.firestorm.com), a national leader in crisis management, threat assessment/risk analysis, and business continuity. Other Charter Sponsors include W.W. Grainger Inc., the leading supplier of maintenance, repair and operations products.

“The ability to travel the world is one of the great aspects of modern society. Unfortunately, introduction to unusual places, people, and cuisine is often accompanied by exposure to disease threats for which your body is ill-prepared,’’ said Dr. Don Donahue, Firestorm’s Director of Healthcare Response. “Overseas trips – for business or pleasure -- should be preceded by a travel medicine consultation. Vaccination and prophylaxis are critical requirements in many corners of the globe.’’

Media inquiries: Mike Pennetti at mpennetti@firestorm.com or (678) 892-4110.

Owning a Franchise Business Turns a Dream into Reality:

2010-07-16T07:01:00.000-07:00

One Franchisee’s Rapid Journey to Success through Passport Health

Arthur Dawson grew his Passport Health franchise from $400,000 in sales to 2.5 million in just three years. And, he did it by simply following the franchisor’s blueprint.

“We didn’t do anything special, or above and beyond what the corporate office recommends,” said Dawson, Passport Health’s franchisee in Dallas/Fort Worth, TX. “We sent postcards, visited doctors’ offices and did internet advertising. And it paid off quite well.”

Dawson bought into an existing franchise in February 2007, which had $400,000 in sales and three locations. During his first year, he opened two additional locations and sales jumped to $700,000. Sales hit $1.7 million the next year, and $2.1 million last year. He projects the business will reach more than $2.5 million in sales this year.

After working for a prescription benefit manager for 15 years, Dawson wanted a change. He looked at several different franchise business opportunities and quickly realized Passport Health was the best match for him. He didn’t like the level of competition and demands of the other franchises.

“I didn’t want to work weekends or long hours,” Dawson said. “I liked that Passport Health is in the medical field and there’s nothing similar out there. It’s the only comprehensive travel vaccine business.”

Passport Health’s travel medicine clinics are a one-stop destination for the international traveler. Their travel medicine specialists counsel travelers in safety and security travel information, water and food precautions, mosquito-borne diseases and travel & evacuation insurance. Each clinic carries all vaccines necessary to protect travelers on their business trips, vacations, mission trips, safaris, study abroad semesters, or intercountry adoptions. The clinics also provide access to specialty travel products, such as bed nets and protection kits for malaria, travelers’ diarrhea and water purification. Travelers leave fully prepared for whatever challenges arise during their journey.

The unique franchise offers low start-up cost, low-overhead and is an ideal investment opportunity for both medical and non-medical owners. It’s perfect for ex-corporate managers who want an exciting, simulating and challenging low-risk medical business. The concept is simple and the opportunity is beyond a job, as territories are given for development without extra fees per location.

New franchisees receive comprehensive operating manuals and one full business week of training at corporate headquarters in Baltimore. They also receive ongoing training and support as well as the benefits of Passport Health’s advanced information technology.
Prior to making his decision, Dawson visited the corporate office. He talked with the staff, asked questions, looked at how they did it and knew that he could do it. He also liked that franchisees deal with pleasant and interesting clientele, while building a business they can sell for a better retirement.

“Before Passport Health, I worked 70 hours per week for a company and felt that I could never please everyone,” said Dawson. “Now I work less than half that and make twice as much money and more. Plus, now I can do what I want everyday. There’s a huge difference in my lifestyle.”

He offered the following advice for people wanting to duplicate his success. “Know what you’re doing, be organized, understand the importance of investing early in getting things right, and you’ll have a huge payoff when it all comes together.”

For more information, call 410-727-0556, visit www.passporthealthusa.com or follow us on:

http://twitter.com/passport_health
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http://www.youtube.com/user/passporthealth
http://www.passporthealthusa.com/ for the latest updates.

Just in Time for World Cup, Leading Travel Entities Cement Partnership

2010-06-16T07:57:00.000-07:00

Africa Travel Association—Passport Health Alliance to Improve Total Care for Africa-Bound Travelers

BALTIMORE—06/16/2010–Passport Health (www.passporthealthusa.com), the nation’s largest private provider of travel medical services and immunizations, today announced a partnership with the Africa Travel Association, (www.africatravelassociation.org), the world’s leading travel industry trade association promoting tourism to Africa.

“This is a very important partnership,” announced Fran Lessans, CEO of Passport Health. “We know that Africa is a beautiful destination and continues to attract leisure, volunteer and business travelers alike. Our role is to make sure that their trip is not interrupted by things that can be easily prevented with proper preparation, education and immunizations.”

Edward Bergman, Executive Director of the Africa Travel Association (ATA) stated that Africa is often mistakenly perceived as a country—not a continent—and one plagued with disease, wars and famine. “Our goal is to change this inaccurate perception of Africa. Each of Africa’s 53 countries has something to offer and some of the world’s most majestic sites are on the continent. The ATA is pleased to welcome Passport Health as a supplier member of the association. They will provide our members access to a nationwide network of travel medicine specialists who will counsel and prepare travelers,” concluded Bergman.

Passport Health provides a comprehensive suite of services tailored to the international traveler. Whether someone is traveling to South Africa for the World Cup, Egypt to close a business deal, or Nigeria to volunteer, Passport Health’s medical professionals counsel travelers on everything there is to know about potential diseases that could harm them. The recommendations are specific to each traveler. “We have to know where they are going, their planned activities, where they will stay, time of year, altitude and their health history. Only then can we recommend the immunizations and medications that the client needs,” said Lessans.

Passport Health is creating an education foundation with the goal of teaching the general public about safe travel and the importance of vaccines for a healthy lifestyle. “The ATA will play an important role in this foundation as we will be working closely with them to develop educational programs, webinars and seminars for individuals and corporations who actively send people to Africa for business,” added Lessans.

Travel Season Arrives: Passport Health Reports Optimistic Outlook

2010-05-26T08:18:00.000-07:00

BALTIMORE, MD– 5/26/10–The economic recovery has energized international travel. Fueled by increased business, mission, adoption and leisure trips, Passport Health (www.passporthealthusa.com), the largest private provider of travel medicine services/immunizations in the United States, reports a significant increase in demand for services compared to last year’s subdued travel season. “During the recession businesses cut as many trips as they could and leisure travelers postponed vacations,” noted Fran Lessans, Passport Health’s Founder & CEO. “We are seeing a recovery and want to make sure all travelers are well-informed and properly immunized so that their trips are successful.”

“The Vaccine Specialists”, which counsel 20,000 clients each month through 170 locations, reported that in 2009 all continents experienced a decrease in international arrivals—with the exception of Africa which grew at 5%. Data from the U.S. International Trade Administration for January and February suggest that most continents will see an increase in inbound arrivals from U.S. Citizens led by the Middle East (33.9%), Africa (14.1%) and Asia (7.5%). “We are very familiar with countries in these regions,” commented Lessans. “There are endemic diseases like Polio, Yellow Fever, Hepatitis A and B, Meningitis, Rabies, Typhoid Fever, and Japanese Encephalitis which can be easily prevented with a vaccine.”

Passport Health’s Travel Medicine Specialists administer and prescribe vaccinations and medications recommended by the CDC, WHO, and other world surveillance organizations that constantly monitor outbreaks and other health hazards that affect travelers when they arrive at their destination. Services include a full-range of immunizations, travel health information, protective vaccines for a healthy lifestyle, and on-site immunizations for groups and organizations, including flu clinics.

The right information can prove critical when traveling abroad. “Whether you are traveling for business, pleasure, or for an intercountry adoption or mission trip, there are some things you need to know to ensure you stay safe and healthy,” Lessans said. Passport Health’s clients include major corporations, universities and NGO’s. Health departments, primary care physicians, and corporate travel managers all refer travelers to Passport Health because they are specialists. “Primary care physicians appreciate the individualized care we can deliver to their patients,” noted Lessans.

Passport Health carries a full line of specialty travel health products including protection kits for malaria, diarrhea, and water purification in addition to vaccines like Tetanus/Diphtheria/Pertussis, Shingles, Pneumococcal and Human Papilloma Virus.

Small investments pay big dividends in protecting workers’ health

2010-05-04T11:17:00.000-07:00

Although the flu season is months away, health care professionals already are preparing vaccinations against three strains of flu that could infect workers and leave businesses in a lurch.

It’s difficult to say exactly what type of flu might be going around when the season gears up next fall because each year the strain is different and it mutates, said Duellyn Pandis, president and CEO of Passport Health of Tampa Bay, which provides travel medical services and immunizations

But it’s certain that flu and other contagious diseases will emerge, and employers should prepare now to keep the workplace productive, said Pandis and Dr. John Sinnott, director of infectious diseases and international medicine at USF Health. Prevention is the simplest and cheapest tack businesses can take.

“Medical care is very expensive and by its nature complicated, so people try to avoid it,” Sinnott said. But vaccinations, along with encouraging healthy lifestyles, can make a big difference. “In almost any industry, the most expensive thing is employees. A small investment there pays big dividends, and also shows you care about them.”

Childhood disease a threat
Influenza, along with norovirus, which cause gastroenteritis, or stomach flu, are two of the most common potential outbreaks that can go through a workplace setting and send a lot of people home sick, Pandis said.

Influenza is preventable with vaccines, but norovirus is not, she said. “That’s just good hand washing and if anyone comes down with it, you have to be diligent about wiping down surfaces.”

A less common but growing health threat in the workplace are measles and other diseases typically associated with childhood. Most people are vaccinated against the diseases as children but don’t get boosters as adults, Pandis said. That’s an increasing problem as some parents fail to vaccinate their own children.

“If you have small children at home who are sick, you can be a carrier and bring it to work, and give it to someone who has low immunity or hasn’t gotten their booster,” she said.

Traditional childhood illnesses are occurring with more frequency in Europe, posing an additional concern for international business travelers, Pandis said.

Be prepared
Every business should have a disaster preparedness plan that includes contagious diseases, Sinnott said.

The plan should identify those people for whom workplace attendance is essential, including a way for others to work from home. Employers should think about cross-training, so workers learn each other’s skills and no job goes undone if someone is out sick.

A means of communication about an outbreak of illness in the workplace is essential, Sinnnott said. Smaller businesses might ask each person to call three to five others in a phone tree, while larger businesses rely on their human resource departments.

Employers also should keep tabs on their international travelers so they don’t spread a disease picked up abroad.

There should be hand-washing signage for everything, and alcohol-based washes should be conveniently located, Sinnott said. “At Tampa General Hospital, we put them by the elevators, then outside the restrooms and then moved them into individual offices.”

Larger employers should have an ongoing contract or ability to work with a physicians’ office if an outbreak does occur, he said.

He also suggested employers distribute their own office health newsletters, encouraging workers to maintain overall good health.

“If your blood pressure and lipids are good, and you are walking at lunch, you will do much better if you are exposed to an infectious disease than if you are an overweight diabetic,” Sinnott said.

Article by: Tampa Bay Business Journal - by Margie Manning Senior Staff Writer

Big Shot- Meet the entrepreneurial nurse who found opportunity on the end of a needle

2010-05-03T09:10:00.000-07:00

Entrepreneur Magazine May 2010- In the mid 1990s, Americans studying abroad began widening their horizons--instead of spending a semester in Florence or Paris, they were heading off to India, Thailand, Bolivia and beyond.

Fran Lessans, a nurse at a college health clinic in Baltimore, noticed that although students got the required travel inoculations, they were otherwise unprepared. "The health information they were getting was poor at best, so I started developing educational materials," Lessans says. "Word spread--I didn't even do any marketing--and people started coming out of the woodwork, wanting me to take care of them."

That's when she got the idea to set out on her own. She partnered with a doctor, and they bought a stockpile of vaccines and set up a small, part-time clinic offering individualized travel-health advice and injections. A couple of years later, Lessans was working as a nurse at Maryland General Hospital--and getting a constant stream of requests for after-hours travel consultations.

"The CEO of the hospital asked me, 'What do we have to do to keep you and your business here?'" Lessans recalls. "And I told him, 'Buy a franchise.'"

He did. And now 15 years later, Passport Health has 170 clinics around the country, dispensing travel vaccines, flu shots and other therapeutic injectables such as human growth hormone and osteoporosis shots.

Passport Health even trains government agencies in dispensing anthrax and smallpox vaccines. We talked to Lessans about becoming a medical entrepreneur and the changing world of travel health.

A travel-medicine clinic: now that is a niche.
The world is a smaller place than it was. Swine flu, anthrax, avian flu, SARS and other issues have brought vaccines to the forefront. Businesses are expanding into India and China and the developing world, and there are more people traveling, more scourges, more media attention. It's terrible to say, but when there are disasters, we do better. And I've found that a lot of people come in because they know someone who got sick abroad--if they have a cousin who went to Greece and got hepatitis, they'll make an appointment.

Who are your franchisees?
We have doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, people who were downsized looking for a franchise, people with medical folks in their family. A lot of our franchisees are well educated and looking for more stimulation than what an automotive or fast-food franchise can provide. There is a body of knowledge here that is ever changing and you need to stay abreast of it. You have to have a medical director involved.

We're meticulous about data collection and conduct studies. This is more of a professional franchise versus a blue-collar franchise, which is good news and bad news: I can't sell to all comers, but my franchisees don't need their hand held as much.

How about the off-season?
Travel medicine can be slow in the fall, but we specialize in vaccines of all kinds. We've been involved in several bioterrorism initiatives with the Department of Defense, training them on using the anthrax vaccine. In the fall, we do a lot of corporate flu and wellness contracts and have done vaccinations for T. Rowe Price, Delta Airlines and Constellation Energy. Plus we run a 24/7 call center that answers travel health questions from military personnel and Department of Defense employees.

Why go to Passport Health instead of a doctor?
You can call and tell us where you're going, and then do the forms online. There's no down time--you're never sitting in an exam room waiting. It's the Nordstrom approach to medicine--your time is valuable. [In Baltimore, for $48,] we give you a bound book of pertinent information and show a video about what to expect, what to eat and not eat. We teach you how to properly use bug repellent. This is our core business, and there's a lot of value because we're not stretched thin doing anything else.

WTCI Hosts Serbian Business Delegation

2010-04-26T08:13:00.000-07:00

Internship Seminar Lead by Passport Health

Baltimore, MD—04/26/2010—Passport Health’s Corporate Director of Business Development and Marketing, Jorge Castillo, lead a seminar about the importance of Internship Programs and collaboration between university systems and public and private business sectors at the World Trade Center Institute (WTCI) in Baltimore on Tuesday April 20th, 2010.

WTCI is hosting a delegation of young professionals from the Republic of Serbia from the regions of Belgrade, Nis, and Novi Sad. The delegation is sponsored by USAID (United States Agency of International Development) and will be in the U.S. for three weeks. All members of the delegation are professors, directors, pedagogues, and psychologists that are active in the area of employment, career guidance and counseling as well as leaders in local associations and organizations.

The seminar’s main objective was to provide the Serbian delegation with an insight into the private sector of the US economy and learn how businesses as well as students benefit from establishing successful internship programs. “Most questions raised during the seminar were inquiries about how to market internship programs to make them more attractive to employers as well as current students and graduates,” said Mr. Castillo. “In Serbia, internship programs are not well developed and they are not perceived as important neither by the business sector nor by university students.”

Passport Health’s seminar as well as other events during the time the delegation is here in Baltimore will aid them in finding solutions to bridge the gap and help both employers as well as job seekers realize the importance of internships.

Mr. Castillo spoke to the Serbian delegation about implementing internship programs and their importance in the work environment for students/graduates as well as employers. Passport Health, the largest provider of travel medical services and immunizations in the United States, has an exceptional internship program that Mr. Castillo developed over the last few years. All past and present interns at Passport Health have gained valuable working experience and have made significant contributions to Passport Health’s team at the company’s headquarters in Baltimore.

Mr. Castillo invited two members of his marketing team to join the seminar. Erin Duffy, who is one of the current Marketing and Sales Interns, as well as Tammy Broghammer, who started out as an intern in the spring of 2009 and was recently hired as the company’s Marketing Coordinator. Both provided insight regarding their own experiences and the value gained from their internships.

“I was honored to be asked to assist the Serbian delegation in understanding key strategies to unify universities and business as it relates to developing meaningful internship programs,” added Castillo. “An intern needs more than to learn how to file paper and enter data. They need to be given a meaningful purpose, cutting edge learning opportunities, evocative reading material and hands-on experience to feel challenged and inspired. The best way to do that is to set specific learning objectives and goals for their tenure. I run our internship program like a graduate business school module,” he concluded.

Passport Health has attracted top talent from business schools like The Joseph A. Sellinger School of Business and Management at Loyola University (Castillo’s M.B.A. alma mater), Towson University’s College of Business and Economics, The Alfred Lerner College of Business & Economics at University of Delaware, The School of Graduate Studies at Morgan State University, The Robert H. Smith School of Business and the School of Nursing at The University of Maryland College Park among others.

_______________________________

About Passport Health: Founded in 1994, Passport Health is the largest provider of travel medical services in the United States with convenient locations nationwide. Whether you are traveling for business or pleasure we can prepare you for your trip with destination-specific travel information, immunizations, specialty travel products, and international travel health insurance. Passport Health is a leading provider of travel health information and immunizations for international travelers, major corporations, universities, missionaries and volunteers and other international organizations.

Our nationwide staff is comprised of professionals that include board-certified physicians and registered nurses who have completed rigorous training in the field of travel medicine and immunology. We currently operate 170 locations in 36 states. Passport Health’s services include adult and adolescent immunizations for business and leisure travel, college, immigration, military readiness, disaster relief, and bioterrorism response. Our on-site services for employers and schools include onsite clinics for Flu, Meningitis, and more. Passport Health has provided anthrax vaccinations and smallpox vaccination training and has worked with the US military, Post Office, and Federal employees and currently runs a 24/7 immunization call center for the Department of Defense.

About the World Trade Center Institute: The World Trade Center Institute (WTCI) is the largest international business network of its kind in the Mid-Atlantic – a who’s who of the top global business executives in the region.

At WTCI we strive to drive the growth of Maryland’s flourishing global business community. Today more than 2,500 Maryland firms benefit from WTCI’s global connections, events, and extensive international business services.

WTCI was established in 1989. Financed jointly by area businesses and the State of Maryland, WTCI operates as a private, non-profit membership organization.

Passport Health Announces Partnership with Engineers Without Borders-USA

2010-04-06T07:24:00.000-07:00

BALTIMORE—04/06/2010– Extending its commitment to provide transnational volunteer organization members with pre-travel education, immunizations and medications, Passport Health (www.passporthealthusa.com), the nation’s largest provider of travel medical services and immunizations, today announced a partnership with Engineers Without Borders-USA (EWB-USA). www.ewb-usa.org.

“We are thrilled to be able to work with an organization of such prestige and that does so much good throughout the world,” announced Fran Lessans, CEO of Passport Health. “Our goal is to keep all travelers, including volunteers, healthy throughout their mission.”

Passport Health provides a comprehensive suite of services tailored to the international traveler. “We are excited to work with Passport Health to provide our members with individualized health planning resources for their projects,” said Cathy Leslie, EWB-USA Executive Director. “It is important to be prepared as our projects are often in remote locations which may require proactive measures, this is why we decided to offer Passport Health as an additional resource for our members.” The recommendations are specific to each traveler. “You have to know where they are going, their planned activities, where they will stay, time of year, altitude and their health history. Only then can you recommend the immunizations and vaccinations that the client needs,” added Lessans.

EWB-USA is a nonprofit humanitarian organization comprised of professional and student engineers and other disciplines, who volunteer to work with local communities and NGOs in over 45 developing countries around the world. EWB-USA volunteers, in partnership with host communities, design and implement sustainable engineering projects such as water, renewable energy, sanitation and bridges to support community-driven development programs around the globe. In addition to providing engineering services, EWB-USA volunteers raise all the money for travel and equipment which they install with community participation. EWB-USA has over 250 chapters conducting hundreds of projects worldwide.

EWB-USA project teams are comprised not only of engineers but also public health specialists as well as other disciplines. For chapters that choose the services, Passport Health Travel Medicine Specialists will work closely with them and brief them on country-specific recommendations.

“Every EWB-USA travel team member should have the proper immunizations and EWB-USA chapters must also have a site specific health and safety plan prior to any travel. We encourage our chapters to prepare as much as possible, and Passport Health is a service that can assist in these safety measures,” concluded Leslie.

Some of the current EWB-USA projects include the Minnesota Professional chapter where members are designing and implementing a water supply and distribution system in Sulnco, Honduras for 3,550 people. The Greater Cincinnati Professional chapter is completing its water supply system for its third orphanage in Rwanda while the Las Vegas Professional chapter is providing clean water and sanitation for an orphanage in Ghana. Northeastern University is implementing a water supply and distribution system in Bbanda, Uganda for 1,500 people, while the Central Houston Professionals is installing a similar water supply system for the 3,000 residents of Uraqueni, Bolivia. The University of Arizona chapter has a rain water catchment project in Mali and a water supply system for thirty villages in Ghana.

If you would like to volunteer, contact an EWB-USA chapter in your area to find out what skills they need for their current projects. You can also join EWB-USA or donate to a project of your choice.

***

Jorge Eduardo Castillo
410.727.0556
jorge.castillo@passporthealthusa.com

Sarasota Immigration Lawyer Announces Grand Opening of Passport Health of Sarasota

2010-02-11T10:19:00.000-08:00

P. Christopher Jaensch, the Managing Partner of Jaensch Immigration Law Firm, the leading immigration law firm in Sarasota, announced today the grand opening of a new, related business called Passport Health of Sarasota (www.PassportHealthSarasota.com).
Passport Health of Sarasota is part of the largest network of travel medicine advisors and vaccine providers in the nation. The Sarasota location is the newest Passport Health office in the U.S. and is one of 172 locations in 36 states. Passport Health has been recognized by the Center for Disease Control, the Department of Defense, the White House, plus local and foreign governments for superior performance.

Passport Health of Sarasota specializes in providing travel health consultations, vaccinations and travel products to international travelers for business, leisure, religious, educational and charitable purposes. The business provides clients with critical information to help them prepare for their trip and stay healthy while outside the U.S.

Health Travel Consultations: During a one-hour health travel consultation, each traveler receives a personalized country specific booklet which is called an “itinerary”. The client can receive counseling and all immunizations and medications in one visit since all vaccines are routinely in stock.

Travel related products like portable water purifiers, country specific malaria prophylaxis, and anti-diarrhea kits are available as are vaccines that may be required and/or recommended such as Hepatitis A and B, Flu, Meningitis, Pneumonia, Yellow Fever, pre-exposure Rabies and Tetanus.

General Wellness Vaccines: In addition to travel medicine consulting, Passport Health of Sarasota provides the community with a comprehensive range of vaccines that are not necessarily related to travel, including general wellness (lifestyle) vaccines such as Gardasil (human papilloma virus or HPV), Zostavax (shingles vaccine), and Adacel (includes pertussis for prevention of whooping cough).

Physicians increasingly outsource patient immunizations to the local health department and Passport Health of Sarasota provides an alternative for these patients. Local health departments do an admirable job of dealing with the health needs of the public, including vaccinations. However, busy professionals and families as well as older members of the community often prefer a premium-level, more attentive and more convenient experience when the choice is available and the cost difference is minimal.

An additional advantage over local health department is that Passport Health of Sarasota educates its clients about administered vaccinations, allowing its clients to make informed choices and select vaccines that do not contain controversial ingredients, such as thimerosal, a mercury-containing organic compound.

On-site Corporate Flu Vaccination Clinics: In the coming year, Passport Health of Sarasota will use its supplier relationships to amass a large inventory of flu vaccine for the next flu season. It will work with employers throughout the region to provide on-site flu vaccination clinics for their employees. Passport Health staff members will be contacting manufacturers, schools, professional offices, and other large businesses to schedule flu vaccination clinics for the fall.

Immigration Medical Exams: Passport Health of Sarasota is proud to announce that its Medical Director has been designated as a Civil Surgeon by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). It will be one of a few places in the Sarasota area and the only Passport Health office in the nation where immigration physicals may be obtained for immigrants completing the process of becoming permanent residents (“green cards”). This service is available to all qualifying immigrants and not just clients of Jaensch Immigration Law Firm.

Passport Health of Sarasota is open to the public by appointment with a centrally located office on Ringling Blvd. in Sarasota and offers a pleasant, well-care environment with little waiting, ample parking, knowledgeable staff, and ready access to vaccines that can often be hard to find. The Sarasota office will serve Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte, DeSoto, and Hardee counties in Florida. It is under the direction of Arthur J. Hodge, M.D., Medical Director and Gail “Dee Dee” Eldridge, R.N., Executive Director/Nurse Manager.

Passport Health of Sarasota is a joint venture of P. Christopher Jaensch, Managing Partner of Jaensch Immigration Law Firm, and Dr. Kamal Mekhael. Mr. Jaensch grew up in Sarasota and earned B.A. and J.D. degrees from the University of Florida. He has practiced immigration law in Sarasota for over 14 years. Dr. Mekhael is a Financial Planner and chartered broker from Canada. He currently serves as president of his own financial services firm. Prior to his business career, Dr. Mekhael obtained his Ph.D. in pharmacy from the Bio-pharmaceutical Centre in Geneva University, Switzerland followed by Post Doctoral work and teaching experience at both McGill University and Concordia University.

About Jaensch Immigration Law Firm: The law firm was established in Sarasota in 1984 and provides a wide range of immigration legal services to families, students, investors, entrepreneurs, professional and skilled workers, health care workers, athletes, coaches, aliens with extraordinary and exceptional credentials and more. Its website is www.VisaAmerica.com. Its blog of local immigration news is: www.ImmigrationSarasota.com

About Passport Health of Sarasota: Passport Health of Sarasota is located at 2195 Ringling Blvd. in Sarasota. Its website is www.PassportHealthSarasota.com. For more information contact Executive Director/Nurse Manager, Dee Dee Eldridge, at 941-362-0304 or send email to DeeDee@PassportHealthSarasota.com

Special thanks to Madduxpress.com

Haiti Earthquake Victims and Volunteers Face Clean Water Issues

2010-01-19T07:09:00.000-08:00

Water Safety, Access, Still Major Concern

BALTIMORE- 1/19/10—Six days after the magnitude 7.0 earthquake rocked Haiti the health and sanitation situation is still less than optimal in the makeshift camps. "Access to shelter, sanitation, water, food and medical care remains extremely limited," announced Riccardo Conti on a bulletin yesterday from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC's). Conti is ICRC’s head of delegation in Haiti.

Medical facilities in Port-au-Prince still lack staff and medicine and access to clean water is an issue for victims as well as Haiti earthquake volunteers. Passport Health, the leading provider of travel medical services and vaccinations, and Hydro-Photon, maker of SteriPEN portable water purifiers, are joining together to support Operation USA in its efforts to assist victims of the Haitian earthquake. OP USA is an international relief agency that helps communities at home and abroad overcome the effects of disasters, disease and endemic poverty by providing privately-funded relief, reconstruction and development aid. Since 1979, the Los Angeles-based nonprofit has worked in 99 countries, delivering over $350 million for relief and development projects.

“Hydro-Photon will provide quantities of its SteriPEN water purifiers to help protect the health of relief workers and earthquake victims on the ground in Haiti,” announced Miles Maiden, CEO of Hydro-Photon. SteriPEN utilizes ultraviolet light to destroy bacteria, viruses and protozoa in seconds, helping to prevent water-borne illness. Operation USA supports several field organizations, including Doctors Without Borders, Partners in Health and World Vision, all of which are presently working to improve conditions in Haiti. Please support its efforts through donations at www.opusa.org.

“The task facing humanitarian organizations is overwhelming," said Fran Lessans, CEO of Passport Health. Passport Health keeps up-to date health alerts for all international volunteers. “Water is essential, but clean water is scarce and volunteers have to take precautions with water purification devices so that they do not become ill while helping others,” she added. “We stand behind our partners Hydro-Photon and Doctors Without borders and encourage you to donate to Operation USA.

Passport Health will make recommendations for vaccines, portable water purifiers, and food, water and mosquito-borne illnesses for each volunteer. Clean water is an issue right now,” she concluded.

Passport Health is reaching out to all volunteer and relief organizations and is offering extended hours throughout their national network of clinics. Passport Health will also come on-site for departing volunteer groups.

Jorge Eduardo Castillo
Jorge.castillo@passporthealthusa.com
410.727.0556

Michael Griffin
Mgriffin@steripen.com
781.789.7727

Haiti Earthquake Mobilizes Relief Workers Donations, Volunteers Needed

2010-01-13T06:30:00.000-08:00

BALTIMORE- 1/13/10—The most powerful earthquake ever recorded in Haiti’s history devastated parts of the island Tuesday. “We are saddened by the news and extend our condolences to those affected by this earthquake,” said Fran Lessans, CEO of Passport Health, the nation’s leading provider of travel medical services and immunizations. “Our priority right now is to make sure that Haiti Earthquake volunteers take adequate measures so that they do not succumb to illness,” she added. Passport Health keeps up-to date health alerts for all international volunteers.
Passport Health is encouraging everyone to help out any way they can. Passport Health (www.passporthealthusa.com) has added a link on their website to allow direct donations to Doctors Without Borders (MSF), an international medical humanitarian organization working in more than 60 countries to assist people whose survival is threatened by violence, neglect, or catastrophe. MSF’s clinics have been damaged by this earthquake and teams are setting up clinics to treat those who are injured.

According to a MSF senior staff member "the situation is chaotic.” Many medical centers and one major hospitals are not functioning."

“There is a great need for volunteers,” continued Lessans. “Precautionary measures to consider when entering areas affected by the Hatian Earthquake include:
Up-to-date vaccinations:

Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertusis (TDaP)
Hepatitis A and B
Typhoid Fever
Water Purification Devices
Wound Care Kits
Anti-Diarrhea Prophylaxes, Medications, and oral rehydration solutions

“Passport Health will make recommendations for vaccines, portable water purifiers, and food, water and mosquito-borne illnesses for each volunteer. In these situations conditions are less than sanitary and we want to make sure no one gets sick while trying to help others. Clean water is an issue right now,” she concluded.

Passport Health is reaching out to all volunteer and relief organizations and is offering extended hours throughout their national network of clinics. Passport Health will also come on-site for departing volunteer groups.

Jorge Eduardo Castillo
Jorge.castillo@passporthealthusa.com
410.727.0556

Swine Flu (H1N1) Vaccine Arrives

2009-10-20T08:27:00.000-07:00

Health Departments, Hospitals Begin Mass Immunizations

Baltimore- 10/20/09- The Swine Flu (H1N1)Vaccine is starting to arrive at health departments, hospitals, and community vaccinator facilities.

However, states have only received 6 million doses thus far. “Demand for seasonal flu shots and swine flu shots are quite high,” said Fran Lessans, CEO of Passport Health, the largest private provider of travel medical services and immunizations in the U.S. “As community vaccinators we get calls from people who are interested and can’t get the vaccine from their doctor or do not want to spend hours in line at a health department,” continued Lessans. “The supply of Swine Flu (H1N1) Vaccine is trickling down slowly and only those in the high risk categories are eligible so far.”

Passport Health operates a 24/7 Vaccine Hotline for the Department of Defense and pharmaceutical companies, provides on-site flu clinics and administers antiviral programs for corporations.

The availability of vaccine varies from state to state and from county to county. The CDC recommends that these high-risk individuals receive the swine flu (H1N1) vaccine:
• Pregnant women
• People who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age.
• Healthcare and emergency medical personnel.
• Those between 6 months and 24 years.
• People 25 through 64 years with chronic health issues

Officials of the National Institutes of Health say that in clinical trials they've seen no serious side effects and that study subjects who have been immunized have generated a “good response.”

Several states have received shipments of the swine flu vaccine, although not as many doses as they were expecting. Regarding the seasonal flu shot, Lessans stated that demand is very high and people have been interested in receiving it earlier than usual. “There have been distribution problems and delivery dates have been pushed back,” commented Lessans. CDC officials stated that 77 million doses have been distributed to the private and public sectors as of the first week of October. Manufacturers are expecting to bring a 118 million doses to market in the next few months.

“Passport Health will be administering the H1N1 vaccine as it becomes available.” Those interested should call their local Passport Health at 1-888-499-PASS(7277) or visit www.passporthealthusa.com.

TYPHOON KETSANA LEAVES THE PHILLIPPINES, EN-ROUTE TO VIETNAM

2009-09-29T07:24:00.000-07:00

Contaminated Water, Mosquito-Borne Diseases a Health Hazard for Traveling Volunteers

BALTIMORE- 9/29/09- After Ketsana plowed through Philippines throughout the weekend many Filipinos experienced something they had never seen before: In Manila, streets were flooded to the highest levels ever recorded; and inside its houses, citizens dealt with water that rose up to 4 feet. Rivers and creeks, swollen after 24-hours rains that dumped more than a month's worth of average rainfall, flooded about 80 per cent of the city in which 15 million people live.

“It always saddens us to hear news like this,” said Fran Lessans, CEO of Passport Health, the nation’s leading provider of travel medical services and immunizations. “We were first respondents after the Katrina disaster and know first hand how devastating a [typhoon] can be. Our priority right now is to make sure that Typhoon Ketsana Volunteers leaving for The Philippines and Vietnam take adequate measures so that they do not succumb to illness,” she added. Passport Health keeps up-to date health alerts for all international travelers

On a recent interview with Voice of America, Stephen Anderson, the United Nations World Food Program's country director in Manila, compared the flooding caused by Tropical Storm Ketsana to Hurricane Katrina." It was more rain in fact than Hurricane Katrina and you know up to 20 feet of water engulfed some parts of Manila, especially the low lying areas," he stated. The Philippines are not out of the woods yet as another major storm is expected to enter Philippine waters on Thursday and make landfall later in the week on the northern island of Luzon; the same way Ketsana made landfall.

So far the death toll has risen to 240 people and over 1.9 million people were affected and 375,000 abandoned their homes and taken refuge in evacuation center because of Typhoon Ketsana, which also destroyed or damage 3,000 houses.

“There is great need for volunteers,” continued Lessans. “Precautionary measures to consider when entering areas affected by Typhoon Ketsana include:
• Up-to-date vaccinations:
o Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertusis (TDaP)
o Hepatitis A and B
o Typhoid Fever
o Japanese Encephalitis (depending on location)
o Malaria Prophylaxes
o Water Purification Devices
o Wound Care Kits
o Anti-Diarrhea Prophylaxes, Medications, and oral rehydration solutions

“Passport Health will make recommendations for vaccines, portable water purifiers, and food, water and mosquito-borne illnesses for each volunteer. In these situations conditions are less than sanitary and we want to make sure no one gets sick. Clean water is an issue right now,” she concluded.

Passport Health supplied, on short notice, doctors and nurses to postal and publishing facilities along the east coast after the Anthrax attack of 2001. Additionally the company prepared relief workers and relatives of victims of the Tsunami in Indonesia. After hurricane Katrina, Passport Health nurses were deployed to the Gulf Coast to vaccinate utility and relief workers. Passport Health nurses also supplied free flu shots to residents and Emergency Response Teams affected by the recent California wild fires.

SWINE FLU VACCINE CLOSER TO RELEASE

2009-09-24T08:11:00.000-07:00

H1N1 to Complicate Regular Flu Season

BALTIMORE- 9/24/09- The novel H1N1 virus (Swine Flu Virus) is expected to complicate the 2009/2010 flu season. At this time novel H1N1 vaccine has been approved for release but availability and access is still unknown. Seasonal influenza vaccine (flu shot) is available and the CDC recommends vaccination as flu season peaks over the next few months.

The H1N1 vaccine will most likely start to be released in mid to late October, “but the supply will be limited and only those at highest risk will be able to receive it,” stated Fran Lessans, founder and CEO of Passport Health, the largest private provider of travel medical services and immunizations in the nation. “We still do not know when the general public will be able to receive the H1N1 (Swine Flu) vaccine. We recommend that everyone get a seasonal flu vaccine.”

Passport Health plans to administer the novel H1N1 vaccine as a community vaccinator and has been attending weekly conference calls held by the CDC who will ultimately determine who receives it and who administers it.

Those at highest risk include:
• Pregnant women
• People who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age.
• Healthcare and emergency medical personnel.
• Those between 6 months and 24 years.
• People 25 through 64 years with chronic health issues.

“Businesses have to understand the storm that’s coming and take measures to insure their viability since the Swine Flu is highly contagious. They should have a pandemic plan in place which should include a seasonal influenza program and possibly antivirals,” continued Lessans. “There should also be special guidelines to follow if businesses are sending their workers overseas.”

Passport Health is gearing up for what will be undoubtedly be a “challenging” flu season, as described by Lessans. “Our priority is to help immunize the public against the seasonal flu first, and then assist in the administration of novel H1N1”. Lessans also explained that demand for the seasonal flu vaccine has increased significantly and manufacturers are having problems delivering the vaccine. “We have been through shortages before, and it’s challenging, but we have always been able to pull through.” Passport Health conducts on-site flu clinics for corporations nationwide and has an antiviral program in place.

For more information visit http://swineflu.passporthealthusa.com. To schedule an on-site flu clinic, contact Passport Health at 1-888-499-PASS (7277).

Webinar Examines Swine Flu Impacts on Business Travel

2009-08-20T07:44:00.000-07:00

AUG. 20, 2009 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ROSWELL, GA – “Business as usual’’ won’t be this flu season, with the effects of the H1N1 (Swine Flu) pandemic expected to include quarantines, travel restrictions and school and office closings. Businesses that rely on travel need to make preparations now to mitigate the impact.

Firestorm Solutions LLC and Passport Health USA are conducting a free webinar August 25 at 2 p.m. EDT to help businesses plan for the swine flu pandemic. Registration for “Healthcare Strategies for Today’s Mobile Society: Update on Antivirals and Vaccines’’ is available at www.predictplanperform.com.

James W. Satterfield, president and COO of Firestorm, a national leader in business continuity, communicable illness/pandemic planning, vulnerability analysis and crisis management, will moderate. Experts include Donald A. Donahue, the Executive Director of the National Security Health Policy Center in Washington, D.C., who has more than 30 years experience as a healthcare administrator in the military, government and private sectors, and Fran Lessans, CEO and founder of Passport Health, the largest private provider of travel medical/immunization services in the United States.

“While there are many uncertainties with H1N1 (Swine Flu), including its eventual severity and efficacy of the vaccination program, we do know that it will disrupt normal business operations,’’ said Donahue, who also directs Firestorm’s Healthcare Response Team. “Combined with regular seasonal flu, H1N1 (Swine Flu) is likely to cause high absenteeism and travel restrictions that will be major hindrances for organizations that are not properly prepared.’’

Passport Health (www.passporthealthusa.com) has provided anthrax and smallpox vaccination training and has worked with the U.S. military, federal postal facilities, and federal employees and currently operates a 24/7 immunization call center for the Department of Defense. The company also provides expert counseling and immunizations to international travelers and advices them on precautionary measures during outbreaks and pandemics.

“These are important times,” said Lessans. “We have been at the highest pandemic level (level6) since June 2009. Businesses large and small have to understand the storm that’s coming and take measures so that their operations can continue. All business should have a pandemic plan in place and have a plan to deliver antivirals to employees if necessary, ” continued Lessans. There will also be special guidelines to follow if businesses are sending their workers overseas. Passport Health has been on conference calls with the CDC and will be ready to assist with the administration of the H1N1 vaccine and antivirals as per CDC directives.”

While there are many uncertainties with H1N1 (Swine Flu), including its eventual severity and efficacy of the vaccination program, we do know that it will disrupt normal business operations,’’ said Donahue, who also directs Firestorm’s Healthcare Response Team. “Combined with regular seasonal flu, H1N1 (Swine Flu) is likely to cause high absenteeism and travel restrictions that will be major hindrances for organizations that are not properly prepared.’’ Lessans said.

Firestorm (www.firestorm.com) employs a unique PREDICT. PLAN. PERFORM. methodology and provided the on-site crisis management support at Virginia Tech after the tragic shootings in 2007. Its Expert Council includes Lt. Gen. Russel L. Honorè (U.S. Army, ret.) and former U.S. Surgeons General Dr. C. Everett Koop and Dr. David Satcher. Firestorm recently began awarding franchises to better address the distinct local vulnerabilities and preparedness gaps that exist nationwide.
Satterfield can be reached at (800) 321-2219 ext. 211 or jsatterfield@firestorm.com. For more information on franchises, contact Executive Vice President Hutch Hodgson at (770) 643-1114 or hhodgson@firestorm.com. Media inquiries should be directed to Mike Pennetti at mpennetti@firestorm.com or (678) 557-9243.

Monsoon Season will Bring Japanese Encephalitis

2009-06-16T13:40:00.000-07:00

Baltimore, MD–6/16/2009—The 2009 monsoon season will soon arrive in the Asian territories and culicine mosquito populations are expected to increase. “These mosquitoes may carry the virus that causes Japanese Encephalitis (JE), which kills 10-15,000 people each year,” warned Fran Lessans, CEO of Passport Health, the largest provider of travel medical services in the U.S. A new vaccine called Ixiaro® has been approved by the FDA, and is ready for distribution in the United States. Some Passport Health’s offices will have both JE-VAX® and Ixiaro® until JE-VAX® is phased out. “The new vaccine is good for adults over 18 so we still have to use JE-VAX® for the younger population,” concluded Lessans. Both vaccines protect against JE.

Monsoons flood areas with fresh rain water and this attracts culicine mosquitoes which may carry the virus that causes Japanese Encephalitis. 30-50,000 people are infected each year. An educational video is available here .

China, Korea, Japan, Taiwan and Thailand have seen epidemics of Japanese Encephalitis. The CDC explains that the disease is controlled primarily by vaccination in these areas. “Vaccination is the best prevention for this potentially deadly disease,” cautioned Lessans, whose clients’ number one travel destination is India, followed by China. “JE is endemic in northeastern India and we see frequent outbreaks in China as well.”

The new JE vaccine is given in a 2-shot series, 28 days apart, while JE-VAX® requires 3 doses. The FDA has approved the new vaccine and it will soon be ready for use by Passport Health.

Japanese Encephalitis is a serious infection which occurs in certain rural parts of Asia and it’s transmitted by the bite of infected mosquitoes. It causes the brain to swell and symptoms of severe infections include high fever, headache, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, abnormal movements, occasional convulsions (especially in infants), coma, and paralysis. About 1 in 4 of such cases results in death.

“In addition to being vaccinated travelers need to know how to use the correct type of mosquito repellent and other precautionary measures,” cautioned Lessans. She went on to offer some tips for travelers:
• Remain in well-screened areas whenever possible
• Wear clothes that cover most of the body
• Use an insect repellent containing 20%-30% DEET on skin.
• Spray Permethrin on clothes, bedding and mosquito nets

For more information visit www.passporthealthusa.com or call 888-499-(PASS)

***

Jorge Castillo
410-727-0556
Jorge.castillo@passporthealthusa.com

Midshipman Falls From Meningitis

2009-06-08T14:44:00.000-07:00

BALTIMORE- 6/8/2009- The unnamed 20-year-old male U.S. Naval Academy plebe who fell ill last Wednesday died Monday evening at the University of Maryland Medical Center. Although the exact cause of death is not yet known, officials at the Baltimore-Washington Medical Center in Glen Burnie, where he was first admitted, said the midshipman was being treated for possible bacterial meningitis.

“We are very sorry to hear of this tragedy. The Academy is so close to where we all live and work,” said Fran Lessans, CEO of Passport Health. Lessans also said that bacterial meningitis is a serious disease and can have serious after-effects, such as brain damage, hearing loss, limb amputation, or learning disabilities. “It is because of its seriousness that 22 states require vaccination in dorms or a waiver to be signed declining the vaccine.”

Neisseria meningitidis is the leading cause of bacterial meningitis in the United States. Currently there are two vaccines that offer protection: Menomune® (meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine, MPSV4) and Menactra® (meningococcal conjugate vaccine MCV4) recommended for certain high risk children from ages 2 through 10, and it is recommended up to age 55. MPSV4 is recommended for those over age 55 who are at risk. Meningococcal vaccines are effective against most types of the disease.

Meningitis is an infection of the fluid surrounding the spinal cord and brain. Children and young adults, especially those living in close quarters or sharing utensils, dishes, bottles cigarettes and glasses are at higher risk; although persons of any age can become infected.

Of the two causes of infection, bacterial meningitis is often more serious and has a higher fatality rate than viral meningitis. Symptoms include fever, headache, stiff neck and more severe symptoms like confusion and seizures.

Lessans stated that in her home-state of Maryland, also the home state of the U.S. Naval Academy, 18 possible cases of meningitis have been reported this year according to the Baltimore Examiner. “We average about 20 a year, but there are over 3,000 cases nationwide” said Lessans. “If you are at risk, get vaccinated. This also includes those who are traveling over seas to high-risk areas, like the meningococcal belt in Africa,” cautioned Lessans whose company is the largest provider of travel medical services in the U.S. and counsels about 30,000 travelers each month.

Officials are still determining if the midshipman had bacterial meningitis and if that was the cause of his death.

Passport Health has meningococcal vaccinations ready in all 166 offices nationwide. For more information visit www.passporthealthusa.com or call 888-499-(PASS)

Seasonal Flu Lingers

2009-06-01T14:20:00.000-07:00

It’s not too late for a flu shot, if you can find one
BALTIMORE, MD-06/01/09- Although seasonal flu activity has decreased from its peak in late February, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) says there are still higher levels of influenza-like illness than is normal for this time of year. According to health officials, it is not too late to get vaccinated against the seasonal influenza virus.

Those who are in higher risk groups should particularly receive the flu vaccine, said Dr. William Schaffner, chairman of the department of preventive medicine at Vanderbilt University and a spokesman for the Infectious Disease Society of America. “There’s still some time to do it and there still will be some seasonal flu perking along,” Schaffner said. “I would say, by all means, get vaccinated.”

Those sentiments are shared by Fran Lessans, CEO of Passport Health, the largest provider of travel medical services and immunizations in the U.S. “We carry the flu vaccine year round,” added Lessans. “For us its flu season year round because our travelers do head to the southern hemisphere where flu season is about to begin.” Travelers traveling to the Southern Hemisphere should be vaccinated with the flu vaccine according to Lessans and health officials.

Passport Health Travel Medicine Specialists counsels and educates international travelers and administers the recommended/required vaccines during the consultation, including routine adult immunizations. The company also provides on-site flu clinics to companies across the nation to help protect employees and decrease absenteeism in the work place.

“The flu is a serious illness and Passport Health is trying to do its part in protecting and educating as many people as we can. We are monitoring the progress on the Swine Flu (H1N1) vaccine and watching what the virus will do next,” concluded Lessans. Health authorities will pay close attention to the southern hemisphere’s flu season this year because of the possibility of H1N1 further mutating or forming a hybrid with the seasonal influenza virus.

For more information about Passport Health flu immunizations or to find the Passport Health location nearest you, visit or call 1-888-499-PASS(7277).

Just in Time for Travel Season Specialty Travel Companies Cement Partnership

2009-05-18T14:40:00.000-07:00

Passport Health, Travisa Alliance to Improve Total Care for International Travelers

BALTIMORE—05/18/2009– Extending its commitment to provide clients with a streamlined continuum of care, Passport Health (www.passporthealthusa.com), the nation’s largest provider of travel medical services and immunizations, today announced a partnership with the nation’s leading expeditor of Passports and Visas: Travisa (www.travisa.com).

“We are thrilled to have Travisa as a partner,” announced Fran Lessans, CEO of Passport Health. “They share our values of superior customer service and reliability and provide a necessary service for our clients.” The partnership is a natural alliance that has developed over the years, she went on to say, “but now it’s official.”

Both companies had humble beginnings over 15 years ago. “We joke that we started our business from our closets; but, that is the truth,” said Jan Dvorak, Travisa’s founder and CEO. Both founders are entrepreneurs.

Passport Health provides a comprehensive suite of services tailored to the international traveler. Whether someone is traveling to India to close a business deal, or getting ready to complete adoption papers in China, Passport Health’s medical professionals counsel travelers on everything there is to know about potential diseases that could harm them. The recommendations are specific to each traveler. “You have to know where they are going, their planned activities, where they will stay, time of year, altitude and their health history. Only then can you recommend the immunizations and vaccinations that the client needs,” said Lessans.

“Travisa’s expertise and relationships with the embassies allows our clients to receive their visas and passports within a few days of ordering them. We have had clients that were leaving in less than 48 hours and Travisa has always come through.”

Travisa is the sole provider of the Indian Visa, making it a perfect fit for Passport Health’s clients whose number one destination is India. Travisa processes over 400,000 visa applications for the Indian Embassy. They have also secured a deal with the Russian consulates to process their visas.

“We provide information about Passport Health to all our clients. We care about their wellbeing and know that they will receive the best care and information from their Travel Medicine Specialists,” concluded Dvorak. Passport Health sees over 20,000 clients every month through 170 offices nationwide. With summer just weeks away and despite a recession, both companies anticipate a strong travel season.

***

Jorge Eduardo Castillo
410.727.0556
jorge.castillo@passporthealthusa.com

PASSPORT HEALTH DISASTER RESPONSE EXPERTS OFFER SERVICES TO MYANMAR VOLUNTEERS

2009-05-09T14:27:00.000-07:00

May 9, 2007

WHAT: Passport Health, nationwide travel medicine providers and disaster response experts will prepare anyone traveling to Myanmar to assist with recovery efforts after Cyclone Nargis. Cholera has broken out in 2 areas and there is no fresh water or food available. The flood-swollen waterways that crisscross the Irrawaddy delta are crammed with dead bodies and animal carcasses. Vaccines for food and water diseases like Hepatitis A and Typhoid are protective and available. Oral rehydration packets are available for cholera treatment and Passport Health will donate packets to all relief workers in need of travel medical services prior to leaving for disaster response.

In the past Passport Health, on short notice, supplied doctors and nurses to postal and publishing facilities along the east coast after the Anthrax attack of 2001. Additionally we prepared relief workers and relatives of victims of the Tsunami in Indonesia. After hurricane Katrina, Passport Health nurses were deployed to the Gulf Coast to vaccinate utility and relief workers. Passport Health nurses also supplied free flu shots to residents and Emergency Response Teams affected by the recent California wild fires.

Anyone interested in volunteering to assist cyclone victims should call our toll free number 1-888-499-7277 for immediate assistance.

WHO: Fran Lessans, RN, MS, President of Passport Health

WHERE: Passport Health Nationwide Offices
For a complete list of locations across the country go to
our web site www.passporthealthusa.com

Passport Health is the largest buyer of immunizations outside the Federal Government in the U.S., spending $15 million annually on vaccine purchases. As experts in the field of immunizations and disaster response, Passport Health’s nurses and doctors offer broad expertise about immunizations and the diseases for which they provide protection. The Passport Health professionals have provided training for the Department of Defense and foreign governments. They have been providers of vaccines and disaster response services since the Anthrax attack of 2001.

Press contact: Jorge Castillo
jorge.castillo@pasporthealthusa.com

Swine Flu Spreads

2009-04-27T14:29:00.000-07:00

Travelers warned to avoid “non-essential” travel to Mexico City

Baltimore, MD—4/27/09-- With 40 Human cases of Swine Influenza A (H1N1) virus infections in the U.S., top officials declared a national health emergency Sunday. “Nobody is taking any chances,” said Fran Lessans, CEO of Passport Health, the nation’s largest provider of travel medical services and immunizations. “We are warning travelers to postpone their trips to Mexico City and, if they must go we are counseling them on the use of antivirals to prevent and treat this type of Influenza.”

According to the World Health Organization, infections have been confirmed in Mexico and 5 states in the United States. The associated press reports that 12 million doses of flu-fighting medications are being mobilized from a federal stockpile in the event they are needed. The Belfast Telegraph reported early this morning that Scotland has also reported two cases of Swine Influenza; the travelers having just returned from Mexico.

“We have Influenza immunizations and antivirals may be recommended”, added Lessans. “But this is not your typical Influenza strain. The Influenza vaccine does not specifically protect against the Swine Flu, but it does help boost an immune response since the Swine Influenza strain is also A (H1N1).”

How to protect yourself: Antivirals Tamiflu (Oseltamiviror) or Relenza (Zanamivir) are used for treatment when exposure is suspected. The antivirals, which are available at some of Passport Health’s nationwide offices, have proven to be effective against the Swine Influenza virus in laboratory tests. “To be effective, the antiviral regiment must be started within 48 hours of exposure,” concluded Lessans.

She went on to offer some basic tips:
• Practice basic good hygiene.
• Wipe common surfaces such as door knobs and phones with chlorine-based products.
• Avoid travel to regions where Swine Flu has been detected.
• Avoid large crowds and leave crowds if you observe someone who is symptomatic.
• If you are symptomatic, stay at home away from large crowds and your workplace.
• Wear a surgical mask whilst in areas where the Swine Flu has been detected and when traveling on airplanes.
• When you cough or sneeze, if you do not have a tissue available, cough into your arm, not your hand. Use of hot soap and water and alcohol sanitizers are proven methods to avoid transmission of the virus.

Swine Flu Spreads

2009-04-27T14:13:00.000-07:00

Travelers warned to avoid “non-essential” travel to Mexico City

Baltimore, MD—4/27/09-- With 40 Human cases of Swine Influenza A (H1N1) virus infections in the U.S., top officials declared a national health emergency Sunday. “Nobody is taking any chances,” said Fran Lessans, CEO of Passport Health, the nation’s largest provider of travel medical services and immunizations. “We are warning travelers to postpone their trips to Mexico City and, if they must go we are counseling them on the use of antivirals to prevent and treat this type of Influenza.”

According to the World Health Organization, infections have been confirmed in Mexico and 5 states in the United States. The associated press reports that 12 million doses of flu-fighting medications are being mobilized from a federal stockpile in the event they are needed. The Belfast Telegraph reported early this morning that Scotland has also reported two cases of Swine Influenza; the travelers having just returned from Mexico.

“We have Influenza immunizations and antivirals may be recommended”, added Lessans. “But this is not your typical Influenza strain. The Influenza vaccine does not specifically protect against the Swine Flu, but it does help boost an immune response since the Swine Influenza strain is also A (H1N1).”

How to protect yourself: Antivirals Tamiflu (Oseltamiviror) or Relenza (Zanamivir) are used for treatment when exposure is suspected. The antivirals, which are available at some of Passport Health’s nationwide offices, have proven to be effective against the Swine Influenza virus in laboratory tests. “To be effective, the antiviral regiment must be started within 48 hours of exposure,” concluded Lessans.

She went on to offer some basic tips:

Practice basic good hygiene.
Wipe common surfaces such as door knobs and phones with chlorine-based products.
Avoid travel to regions where Swine Flu has been detected.
Avoid large crowds and leave crowds if you observe someone who is symptomatic.
If you are symptomatic, stay at home away from large crowds and your workplace.
Wear a surgical mask whilst in areas where the Swine Flu has been detected and when traveling on airplanes.
When you cough or sneeze, if you do not have a tissue available, cough into your arm, not your hand. Use of hot soap and water and alcohol sanitizers are proven methods to avoid transmission of the virus.

Call your nearest Passport Health office: 1-888-499-PASS(7277) or check the latest updates at: http://www.passporthealthusa.com/travel-health-alerts.php

Jorge Castillo
Jorge.Castillo@passporthealthusa.com
410.727.0556

Meningitis Claims Four in Miami

2009-04-23T14:48:00.000-07:00

Irony for South Floridians, World Meningitis Day is April 25, 2009

Miami, FL- 4/23/09- A virulent strain of meningitis, Neisseria meningitidis W-135, is responsible for the deaths of four people in South Florida. Eight others have been infected in the past six months.

These deaths come just days before the first annual World Meningitis Day which begins April 25, 2009. The day is meant to raise awareness and educate Americans about the dangers of contracting the meningococcal disease. “We recognize the dangers of meningitis and the importance of being vaccinated against the disease,” said Fran Lessans, CEO of Passport Health, the largest provider of travel medical services and immunizations in the U.S.

Although the W-135 strain can be treated with vigorous, early intervention with antibiotics, Lessans warned that this is a fast-acting strain and “death can sometimes occur within hours of first symptoms.”

Neisseria meningitidis is the leading cause of bacterial meningitis in the United States. According to the CDC, serogroups B,C and Y are the major causes of meningococcal disease. Among those over age eleven, 75% of cases are caused by serogroups C, Y, or W-135. “The vaccines available in the United States protect against these 3 serogroups and there is plenty of vaccine available in Miami and throughout the U.S.,” commented Lessans after stating that the general population, especially those at risk, often does not get vaccinated.

Meningitis is an infection of the fluid surrounding the spinal cord and brain. Children and young adults, especially those living in close quarters or sharing utensils, dishes, bottles cigarettes and glasses are at higher risk; although persons of any age can become infected. “Most people don’t realize that even second hand smoking may put you at risk. The bacteria or viruses are exhaled with the smoke and breathed in by other people in the room,” stated Lessans.

Of the two causes of infection, bacterial meningitis is often more serious and has a higher fatality rate than viral meningitis. Symptoms include fever, headache, stiff neck, sensitivity to light, rash and sometimes seizures.

Officials in Miami-Dade are urging hospitals and doctors to notify the Miami-Dade Health Department as soon as they discover any new cases so they can take protective measures. For more information on vaccinations visit www.passporthealthusa.com/miami or call 305-642-9889 to make an appointment.

First Annual World Meningitis Day Gaining National Support

2009-04-20T07:13:00.000-07:00

World Meningitis Day is April 25, 2009

BALTIMORE, MD- 4/20/09- The first annual World Meningitis Day begins April 25, 2009 and is gaining national support. The day is meant to raise awareness and educate Americans about the dangers of contracting the meningococcal disease. “We recognize the dangers of meningitis and the importance of being vaccinated against the disease,” said Fran Lessans, CEO of Passport Health, the largest provider of travel medical services and immunizations in the U.S. “Passport Health wants to honor this day and show its support by offering to vaccinate and educate Americans about the disease.”

Travel season is quickly approaching and travelers should be aware that many popular travel destinations are in countries where meningitis is endemic. International travel and migration facilitate the rapid intercontinental spread of meningococcal disease, according to The Journal of Travel Medicine. “The disease is endemic in the meningococcal belt which runs through sub-Saharan Africa,” added Lessans. “This area stretches from Senegal to Ethiopia across the middle of the continent.”

The meningitis vaccine is especially recommended, if not required, for the following people: students attending college/universities, students studying abroad, travelers, camp attendees, humanitarian workers, missionary workers, and volunteer abroad workers.

According to the WHO, there is an estimated total population of 300 million people living along the meningococcal belt. You can find more information related to the meningococcal belt in Passport Health’s “country of the month” blog. In honor of Meningitis Day, the daily blog will focus on meningitis and how it can affect travelers.

Meningitis is a serious disease that affects the brain and spinal cord. According to the CDC, approximately 20% of those infected have long term consequences and between 10%-12% die from the disease each year. The United States has nearly 3,000 cases of the disease every year. The disease is transferred through respiratory secretions and the spread of the disease is facilitated through prolonged contact. Be aware that meningitis can be contracted by people of all ages, not just college-bound students.

Travel, Faith, Volunteering & Good Health Converge

2008-11-10T07:01:00.000-08:00

Passport Health Attends Inaugural World Religious Travel Association Expo

Baltimore, MD – 11/10/2008- The first annual World Religious Travel Association (WRTA) Expo took place in Orlando, FL last week. The WRTA announced that 2009 will officially be the “Year of Faith Tourism”, with a three-fold goal of: highlighting the new era of Faith Tourism; increasing awareness of the personal and communal benefits of faith tourism; and, contributing to the global economy.

Passport Health, the largest provider of travel medical services in the U.S. and member of the WRTA, attended this momentous event. “We are part of something historic,” announced Fran Lessans, CEO of Passport Health and a panelist at the exposition. “We believe in the good that humans can do around the world. That is why we want to make sure that all faith travelers are properly immunized and educated before they leave.”

Religious and international volunteer travels have remained constant—despite uncertain economic times. Short-term volunteer travelers are expected to increase by 30% in 2009. Long-term travelers who stay for over one year, are poised to increase 3%. “We want to send a strong message that faith tourism is no longer a niche but a full-blown industry,” said Kevin J. Wright, founder and president of the WRTA. “More than 500 tourism organizations and travel professionals from over 30 countries attended the historic Expo. All are fully committed to the continued expansion of Faith Tourism, including WRTA member Passport Health.”

Passport Health’s Travel Medicine Specialists, who come on-site, administer and prescribe vaccinations and medications recommended by the CDC, WHO, and other world surveillance organizations that monitor outbreaks and other health hazards that affect travelers when they arrive at their destination. Services include a full range of immunizations, travel health information, protective vaccines for a healthy lifestyle, and on-site immunizations for groups and organizations, including flu clinics.

“Passport Health already sees hundreds of missionaries and volunteers. Being at the expo allowed us to inform attendees about our services and the importance of good health and up-to-date vaccinations,” added Lessans.

“Religious tour operators, volunteer vacation providers, churches, mission coordinators and Passport Health are working together to provide the best service possible to those who want to travel to help or to see first-hand where their faith began. We are honored to be a part of this organization.”

Keeping Your Employees Healthy During America’s Financial Crisis

2008-09-30T13:46:00.000-07:00

Passport Health On-Board with CDC’s Goal to Vaccinate 261 Million this Flu Season

Baltimore, MD – 9/30/2008- The economic downturn which started months ago has progressed to derail institutions like Lehman Brothers and most recently Wachovia, the U.S.’s fourth largest bank. As Wall Street continues to hemorrhage, companies nationwide brace for a rough fourth quarter and have already begun to downsize.

Keeping core employees healthy and on the job is of utmost importance during this downturn so that productivity is not compromised. So how do you keep those core employees’ productivity up? You encourage them to participate in a company-wide flu immunization program says Fran Lessans, CEO of Passport Health, a nationwide travel medicine company that provides vaccinations, education and medications for international travelers. “Your employees are crucial to your company’s day-to-day operations,” explains Lessans, whose company also provides on-site flu clinics for some of the largest corporations in the U.S. “When you are lean you can’t afford increased absenteeism because of the flu.”

In a well publicized article, CNN reported that the flu costs the U.S. economy nearly $10 billion dollars each year in lost productivity and wages. “Influenza is spread when people work closely together or touch infected surfaces,” cautioned Lessans. “If you have a small office the flu can literally shut down your entire operation and that is why employers should encourage all workers to get their annual flu shot.”

According to the CDC, the influenza virus causes illness in 10% to 20% of the population each year. Approximately 200,000 people are hospitalized each year in the United States because of influenza. Some 36,000 people succumb to the illness annually. “Passport Health is committed to reducing the occurrence and impact of the flu,” added Lessans. Last year, the company administered over one million doses of flu vaccine throughout the nation. The CDC recommends that the general population get vaccinated especially all children over the age of 6 months, people over the age of fifty, healthcare personnel, the immunocompromised and those family members who have contact with them, and pregnant women.

As experts in the field of immunization, Passport Health’s nurses and doctors offer broad expertise about all vaccines--including flu--and the diseases for which they provide protection. To learn more about flu clinics visit http://www.passporthealthusa.com or call 1-888-499-PASS(7277).

Press contact: Jorge Eduardo Castillo
410-727-0556
jorge.castillo@passporthealthusa.com

Influenza Concerns Create Need for an Innovative Approach to Protecting Employees

2008-06-24T14:37:00.000-07:00

Passport Health to study the impact of offering intranasal influenza vaccine on vaccination rates

Baltimore, MD – 6/24/2008- Growing concerns in the business community over the influenza virus spreading throughout the workplace has created a need for a new approach to immunizing employees. Passport Health, a nationwide network of over 165 vaccine and travel medicine providers has signed an agreement with MedImmune, a division of Astra Zeneca, to assess the impact of offering intranasal influenza vaccine on influenza vaccination rates in the employer setting starting September 2008.

According to the CDC, the influenza virus causes illness in 10% to 20% of the population each year. Approximately 200,000 people are hospitalized each year in the United States because of influenza. Some 36,000 people succumb to the illness annually. The flu accounts for millions of lost work days in addition to decreased productivity at the office. Passport Health is committed to reducing the occurrence and impact of the flu. Last year, the Baltimore-based company administered over one million doses of flu vaccine during on-site clinics and at their 165 nationwide locations.

This fall, Passport Health will offer some of their corporate clients the opportunity to participate in a clinical research study underwritten by the sponsor--MedImmune. This study will help evaluate whether having a choice of an intranasal influenza vaccine, in addition to injectable vaccine, will increase vaccination rates in employer-based clinics. Research data will be evaluated by the University of Pittsburgh.

In the past, Passport Health has worked with the Department of Defense, Centers for Disease Control, pharmaceutical companies, and clinical research organizations to conduct clinical trials. Prior clinical trial research projects have included Anthrax, Hepatitis B, Yellow Fever and influenza to mention a few. Passport Health is also working towards partnering with several pharmaceutical sponsors for clinical trials on avian influenza. All Passport Health medical professionals participating in the MedImmune study have completed rigorous clinical trial training through the University Of Rochester School Of Nursing.

The best way to prevent the flu is to immunize. The time to get a flu vaccine starts when the vaccine becomes available in September and continues into winter, through January or later, when the influenza season typically peaks. The CDC recommends that the general population get vaccinated especially: all children, people over the age of fifty, healthcare personnel, the immuno-compromised and those in contact with them, and pregnant women. Passport Health is committed to minimizing the impact of the influenza virus by administering flu clinics throughout the country and participating in clinical trials. As experts in the field of immunization, Passport Health’s nurses and doctors offer broad expertise about all vaccines, including flu and travel immunizations, and the diseases for which they provide protection. For more information, please visit http://www.passporthealthusa.com.

Increase in International Travel Fuels Specialty Firm’s Growth

2008-04-25T13:52:00.000-07:00

Passport Health Offers First Class Medical Care for Travel Anywhere

BALTIMORE, MD– 4/25/08– Fueled by increasing international business, mission, adoption and leisure trips, travel medicine clinics are among the fastest growth areas in the health care delivery arena. No firm reflects this growth more than Passport Health, the largest provider of travel medicine services in the United States. The health care provider, which counsels 20,000 clients each month, just opened its 160^th office.

In less than two years the firm has grown by more than 50 percent. International travelers – 33 million last year – can now enjoy the same comprehensive service throughout the nation. Health departments, primary care physicians, and corporate travel managers all refer travelers to Passport Health because they are specialists in travel medicine. “Primary care physicians appreciate the individualized care we can deliver to their patients,” noted Passport Health Founder and CEO Fran Lessans.

Passport Health provides destination-specific travel health information and immunizations for international travelers. Clients include major corporations, universities and NGO’s. Three new offices have recently opened in Minneapolis, MN; Columbus, OH, and Vancouver, WA.

Lessans said her firm’s growth has been propelled by a growing understanding among international travelers that the right information can prove critical when traveling abroad. “Whether you are traveling for business, pleasure, are doing an intercountry adoption or are on a mission trip, there are some things you need to know to ensure you stay safe and healthy,” Lessans said.

Passport Health’s Travel Medicine Specialists administer and prescribe vaccinations and medications recommended by the CDC, WHO, and other world surveillance organizations that constantly monitor outbreaks and other health hazards that affect travelers when they arrive at their destination. Services include a full range of immunizations, travel health information, protective vaccines for a healthy lifestyle, and on-site immunizations for groups and organizations, including flu clinics.

Passport Health carries a full line of specialty travel health products including protection kits for malaria, diarrhea, and water purification. Recommended travel vaccines include: Yellow Fever, Hepatitis A and B, Meningococcal, Pneumococcal, Pre-Exposure Rabies and Tetanus/Diphtheria/Pertussis. The company also responds to the community’s need for specialty vaccines that are not necessarily related to travel. Protective vaccines for a healthy lifestyle include Shingles and Human Papilloma Virus (which causes cervical cancer).

For more information visit www.passporthealthusa.com or call 1-888-499-PASS(7277).