Comprehensive, International-Standard Oncology Program the First of Its Kind in China
Expands United Family Healthcare's Spectrum of Patient Care
Appoints Renowned Oncologist to Lead "New Hope" Center
BEIJING and BETHESDA, Md., Aug. 7 /PRNewswire-Asia/ --
Chindex International, Inc. ("Chindex") (Nasdaq: CHDX), a leading independent American provider of Western healthcare products and services in the People's Republic of China, today announced that the Company's Western-style hospital network, United Family Healthcare ("UFH"), plans to launch a comprehensive, international-standard oncology program, called "New Hope," at a stand-alone outpatient facility near its Beijing United Family Hospital ("BJU").
The New Hope oncology program will be the first of its kind in China and will ensure that each patient receives compassionate care through the expertise of a responsive and experienced team of international and Chinese healthcare professionals. Housed in a LEED-standard "Green" building, the New Hope Center will provide international expertise to diagnose and treat cancer and will offer an array of treatment modalities, including chemotherapy, radiation therapy and other oncology-related support services. The New Hope Center's oncology program also will utilize established resources, such as medical and surgical cancer treatment from BJU, a leading institution in Beijing's medical community. Chindex intends to host a formal ceremony to celebrate the opening of the New Hope Center later in the year.
Roberta Lipson, President and CEO of Chindex, commented from Beijing, "We are bringing renewed hope to cancer patients in China through providing diagnosis and treatment expertise with a human touch, in a world-class setting. While Beijing United Family Hospital is an established leader in a variety of cancer treatments, our New Hope Center will expand the spectrum of our patient care and provide an unparalleled, new-to-market approach in China. This will include the highest quality medical expertise, multi-language support, proactive administration and psychological and nutritional services, delivered at Joint Commission International standards. Currently, Chinese patients have to travel abroad for this patient-centered approach to cancer care. When we first opened Beijing United Family Hospital, our approach to Obstetrics and patient-centered primary care quickly became a model for emulation, attracting much attention and many patients. I fully expect that our comprehensive cancer program will have a similar following."
Chindex has appointed Dr. Philip Brooks to lead the program and serve as Vice President of Medical Affairs and Director of Oncology at BJU. Dr. Brooks is currently the only American medical oncologist in China to be certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM). In addition to being a medical oncologist, Dr. Brooks is also a board-certified hematologist and has more than 30 years of medical experience in both fields.
Lipson continued, "Dr Brooks is uniquely qualified to head the program, with extensive experience serving in numerous clinical, academic, hospital, and professional capacities, including previously in the United States. We believe the New Hope Center will attract Chinese patients who want a differentiated, international approach to their cancer care with all of the amenities and service levels for which BJU is known."
"Today's announcement is one more step in our long-term strategy to provide patients with the highest quality medical services in China. We are evaluating an initial program at our Shanghai United Family Hospital, BJU's sister facility, as well as at new locations such as in Guangzhou," concluded Lipson.
About Chindex International, Inc.
Chindex is an American healthcare company that provides healthcare services and supplies medical capital equipment, instrumentation and products to the Chinese marketplace, including Hong Kong. Healthcare services are provided through the operations of its United Family Hospitals and Clinics, a network of private primary care hospitals and affiliated ambulatory clinics in China. The Company's hospital network currently operates in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Wuxi. The Company sells medical products manufactured by various major multinational companies, including Siemens AG and Intuitive Surgical, for which the Company is the exclusive distribution partner for the sale and servicing of color ultrasound systems and surgical robotic systems respectively. It also arranges financing packages for the supply of medical products to hospitals in China utilizing the export loan and loan guarantee programs of both the U.S. Export-Import Bank and the German KfW Development Bank. With twenty-eight years of experience, approximately 1,300 employees, and operations in China, Hong Kong, the United States and Germany, the Company's strategy is to expand its cross-cultural reach by providing leading edge healthcare technologies, quality products and services to Greater China's professional communities. Further company information may be found at the Company's websites, http://www.chindex.com and http://www.unitedfamilyhospitals.com .
Safe Harbor Statement
Statements made in this press release relating to plans, strategies, objectives, economic performance and trends and other statements that are not descriptions of historical facts may be forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"). Forward-looking information is inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, and actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors, which include, but are not limited to, the factors set forth under the heading "Risk Factors" in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2009, any updates and additions to those "Risk Factors" in our interim reports on Form 10-Q, Forms 8-K and in other documents filed by us with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time. Forward-looking statements may be identified by terms such as "may," "will," "should," "could," "expects," "plans," "intends," "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "predicts," "forecasts," "potential," or "continue" or similar terms or the negative of these terms. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. We have no obligation to update these forward-looking statements.
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