[July 29, 2008]

Business travel gives boost to clinic

(Patriot-News, The (Harrisburg, PA) (KRT) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Jul. 29--With high fares, airport security hassles and a poor economy, it wouldn't seem wise to expand a business that caters to international travelers.

But Paul Judith of Monroeville is expanding his chain of Passport Health franchises.

He recently opened one at 3314 Market St. in Camp Hill. He plans to open three more in Pennsylvania within the next six months.

The business specializes in providing vaccines needed by international travelers. Based on their destinations, clients are told what vaccines they need and given the shots.

Passport Health, in conjunction with another firm, also gives customers a book of medical and non-medical information about the area they will visit, including information on local customs and business etiquette.

Judith said the book, along with an assessment of needed vaccines, costs $45. That also includes a 60- to 90-minute informational meeting with a registered nurse. The vaccines cost extra.

Passport Health is part of a national chain based in Baltimore.

Judith, 62, who previously worked in sales and marketing, opened his first franchise in 2001. The Camp Hill franchise is his seventh.

He said international travel remains strong. He wouldn't reveal sales figures, but said he wouldn't be expanding if revenues weren't good.

Most of his business comes from corporate clients. Companies must visit their overseas locations regardless of the economy, he said.

A record 64 million U.S. residents traveled abroad in 2007, according to the Travel and Tourism Research Association, which cited data from the U.S. Department of Commerce.

Judith said Passport Health stocks all vaccines a traveler might need, such as vaccines for anthrax, rabies or yellow fever. It also offers on-site flu clinics for businesses.

He said it's expensive to stock all those vaccines, which often aren't covered by insurance, and to keep up with information about them.

Because of that, many doctors prefer to refer patients to another provider for the vaccines, and don't view him as competition, he said.

Chuck Moran, a spokesman for the Pennsylvania Medical Society, said he is aware of no safety concerns among doctors related to such clinics.

Holy Spirit Hospital offers similar services at a travel clinic at its main site in East Pennsboro Twp., a mile or so from Passport Health.

Volume is growing, with monthly caseloads ranging from 86 to 110 in 2008, said Mary James, Holy Spirit's manager for employee health, occupational health and travel.

James said much of the business comes from Messiah and Dickinson College students preparing for missionary work and exchange programs.

James said the travel clinic is a profit maker for the hospital, and Holy Spirit plans to expand it. Non-profit community hospitals such as Holy Spirit typically offer profit-making services to off-set the cost of important services that lose money.

A Holy Spirit spokeswoman declined to comment on the competitive impact of Passport Health.

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