Sunshine Matters

In November, VISIT FLORIDA announced the establishment of a new grant program as part of Discover Florida Health – the state’s official medical tourism program – to assist Florida businesses in promoting themselves as a medical tourism destination of choice.  I am pleased to share that, following an intensive 4-week judging process, VISIT FLORIDA has awarded 25 medical tourism grants totaling $3.1 million.

Grants were awarded in two categories: 9 for medical tourism destination promotion and 16 for medical meetings and training promotion.  The grants aim to help grow awareness of existing medical tourism products and services in the state, as well as strengthen Florida as a preferred destination to host medical conferences, meetings and training programs. 

After much consideration, the eight judges selected the 25 winning entries.  Please join me in thanking the following individuals who graciously volunteered their time and expertise:

• Dr. John Armstrong, State Surgeon General , Florida Department of Health
• Tony Carvajal, The Florida Chamber Foundation
• Daniel B. Cormany, Florida International University
• Marc Fetscherin, Rollins College
• Nichole Geary , West Palm Beach office of Broad and Cassel
• Glenn Hastings, St. Johns County Tourist Development Council
• Dan Snyder, Asia Pacific Health Partners, Inc.
• Renee-Marie Stephano, Medical Tourism Association

Each grant awarded under VISIT FLORIDA’s medical tourism promotion program will be matched by private dollars.  The applicants had to be either a destination marketing organization, health care provider, medical facility, physician or, in the case of the meetings and training program grant, a collaboration that includes one or more of these entities.

To view the list of 2014-2015 grant winners, click here.  To learn more about VISIT FLORIDA’s medical tourism promotion grants, go to visitflorida.org/grants or contact us at grants@visitflorida.org.  For general medical tourism program information, contact me at bsmith@visitflorida.org.