Becker’s Healthcare Podcast: Expanding Cedars-Sinai’s Global Care Model With Heitham Hassoun, MD
Becker’s Healthcare Podcast recently interviewed Heitham Hassoun, MD, chief executive of Cedars-Sinai International, about the health system’s evolving global strategy and vision for delivering seamless care worldwide.
Hassoun told Becker’s Healthcare Podcast host Scott Becker that while the international program initially focused on medical travel—bringing international patients to Los Angeles for care—the program has transformed into a comprehensive global healthcare model.
“To be a top program today, you need to do far more than that,” Hassoun told Becker. “You need to bring not only direct care closer to patients where they are but also improve the continuity of care and the care delivery in those communities.”
One major initiative is the launch of wholly owned concierge clinics in strategic international cities, beginning with London. Additional clinics are planned for Singapore, Dubai and Mexico City—locations Hassoun described to Becker as “international cities with crossroads” that serve globally traveling patients who want to access Cedars-Sinai care.
“I feel like we’re building the modern railroad for healthcare,” Hassoun told Becker, describing the infrastructure needed to maintain continuity of care across borders.
Hassoun told Becker successful international expansion requires deep understanding of local markets, cultures and healthcare dynamics.
“Culture, as we always talk, eats strategy for lunch every day of the week,” he said. “You just have to take the time and really understand what’s happening, the dynamics, the physician practices.”
Hassoun told Becker healthcare delivery and medical science are increasingly interconnected across borders.
“We are living in a world that truly is more integrated than not,” he said.
Listen to the complete segment from Becker's Healthcare Podcast.