Passport Health becomes Charter Sponsor of PREACTION ALLIANCE™
ROSWELL, GA – Economic globalization brings increased international business travel, and as a result, greater exposure to communicable illnesses.
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:
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.”
The End
CORPORATE SUMMARY:
Founded in 1994, Passport Health is the largest private provider of travel medical services and immunizations in the United States with convenient locations nationwide. Passport Health is a leading provider of travel health information and immunizations for international travelers, major corporations, universities 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. Today, Passport Health is a household name in many areas, and many great territories are still available.
Just in Time for World Cup Leading Travel Entities Cement Partnership
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 by proper preparation, education and immunizations.”
Edward Bergman, Executive Director for 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 worlds’ most majestic sites are on the continent. ATA is pleased to welcome Passport Health as a supplier member of the association which 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. “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 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
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.”
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 Announces Partnership with Engineers Without Borders-USA
“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.
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Jorge Eduardo Castillo
410.727.0556
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