Easing the Burdens of International Care
Dr. Bruno Nahar steps into his new role as director of UHealth International, a program that facilitates access to care for international patients.
Bruno Nahar, M.D., has assumed the role of director of UHealth—University of Miami Health System’s UHealth International, ensuring that international patients will continue to experience a smooth pathway to care.
UHealth International serves as a central resource for international patients and referring physicians, working closely with clinical departments across UHealth to facilitate access to care. The department focuses on physician engagement, international business development and referral networks while helping patients navigate the clinical, administrative and cultural complexities of receiving care in the United States.
“It’s very collaborative work,” said Dr. Nahar, an associate professor of urologic oncology at the Desai Sethi Urology Institute and the Eric and Elizabeth Feder Endowed Chair in Urologic Oncology Research at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. “It brings together physicians, clinical teams and administration with a shared goal of supporting international patients throughout their care journey.”
Coordinating International Patient Care
UHealth International helps patients with:
• Coordination of care with all specialties and hospitals
• Financial clearance for self-pay and insured patients
• Logistic services
• Assistance with visa letters
• Hotel recommendations and discounts
• Language translation services
• Support for accompanying family members
Dr. Nahar initially came to Miami from his native Brazil for a fellowship. After that, he stayed on as faculty at the Desai Sethi Urology Institute.
“Having trained and worked across different health care systems, I understand the issues international patients have with language, travel and cost coordination,” said Dr. Nahar. “What excites me about this job is the opportunity to help understand international patients and help them navigate this complex care in a way that’s very clear and coordinated.”
Smoothing the Patient Care Experience
Many international patients seek care at UHealth because advanced treatments may not be readily available in their home countries. UHealth International is designed to make their care experiences convenient. In addition to having access to the latest treatments and care from UHealth specialists ranked among the best in the world, international patients have their own international coordinator to take care of every aspect of their treatment. From setting physician appointments that accommodate travel schedules to assisting with travel arrangements for visas and providing recommendations for hotels, international coordinators work with patients to make sure the fine details of receiving care are all taken care of.
“We coordinate with physicians in a given specialty to take care of that patient. We help them get here, treat them and then they go back to their home country and continue the relationships through follow-ups,” Dr. Nahar said. “They’re already suffering from a disease or ill health, and often when they come here they’re very fragile, both physically and emotionally. Our role is to help remove barriers—whether clinical, administrative, or cultural—so patients can focus on their health.”
As director, Dr. Nahar plans to strengthen physician engagement, expand key international markets and better communicate the UHealth difference on an international scale.
“One of the strengths of UHealth International is its team,” he said. “I look forward to working closely with them and with colleagues across the health system to continue building a program that is efficient, compassionate, and centered on patient care.”
Dipen J. Parekh, M.D., chief executive officer of UHealth, founding director of the Desai Sethi Urology Institute and executive vice president for health affairs at the University of Miami, said, “Dr. Nahar’s experience training and working in different health systems makes him a natural fit for the role of director of UHealth International. We value his perspective on the challenges of international health care and are confident that UHealth International will thrive under his leadership.”
Tags: Department of Urology, Desai Sethi Urology Institute, Dr. Bruno Nahar, Dr. Dipen Parekh, patient experience, UHealth International