ABC Medical Center in Mexico City and The Methodist Hospital in Houston formalize affiliation

HOUSTON- (Jan. 2007)-- Methodist International and American British Cowdray Medical Center (ABC) in Mexico City recently announced a six-year affiliation agreement, adding to Methodist's growing global network of affiliated hospitals. ABC, a leading teaching, private not-for-profit hospital, will collaborate with Methodist to help redefine its quality programs and put in place proven health care strategies to make the organization more efficient.

"This unique agreement provides the Methodist International with further experience in the Mexican health care market and offers ABC our well established experience in organizing health care systems," said Lynn Schroth DrPH., CEO, Methodist International. Methodist International's vision is to establish a network of exceptional hospitals in key regions of the world that will demonstrate unparalleled quality and performance. This network will become the model and benchmark for local, international, and global hospitals

Through this comprehensive and historic agreement , Methodist International will engage in knowledge transfer with ABC, a prestigious 120-year-old health care organization, assisting it in setting up a formal quality program and rebuilding its organizational structure to be more similar to those used in leading institutions like The Methodist Hospital. "This affiliation is beneficial to both parties, with the sharing of valuable expertise all focused on the patients. We are looking forward to working together in the years ahead as both of our organizations continue to grow," said Lawrence V. Meagher, Jr., MPH, Director General, The ABC Medical Center.

Methodist representatives will provide expertise as ABC commits to a different organizational model of health care delivery, which has proven to provide higher quality care, less errors, and more efficiencies. These improvements, Schroth said, are critical in the increasingly complex world of acute care and practice in the modern day hospital.

'In keeping with the ABC Medical Center's ongoing commitment to excellence in quality health care - we think that this collaboration will allow us to extend beyond borders to an international market, "Meagher said.

The new partnership also enhances post graduate education and training opportunities for ABC staff in the U.S. ABC staff will be able to participate in scheduled and ad hoc training programs. These will include training for nursing staff, technicians, and other medical and paramedic personnel. Medical staff training and continuing education programs will be offered to all credentialed staff at ABC, both in situ, as well as through teleconferences and videoconferences.

About ABC Medical Center

The ABC Medical Center of Mexico City, founded 120 years ago, has continuously served the greater Mexico City community. The organization has distinguished itself as the leading not-for-profit hospital, dedicated to clinical care of the highest order, education and research. In 2005 and 2006, in an extensive survey conducted among 1,200 of the country´s leading executives, designed with the support of the Hay Group Consulting firm, the ABC Medical Center was recognized as "the most respected organization" in the country within the healthcare services sector. The ABC also received first place ranking nationally in the category of Customer Service, and was recognized among the top ten "most respected" organizations in Mexico for all sectors for its client services.

For more information about de ABC Medical Center please call +52-(55)-523-08000 or visit the hospital web page: www.abchospital.com