Medical exports: Boston brand-name education, but healthcare with a new name

Harvard Medical School and Boston University's dental school represent a cluster of US universities setting up shop in Dubai Healthcare City, US News and World Report notes.

Part of their success comes from a chillier climate for students from Arab countries who want to study abroad, Harvard Medical School Dubai Center's chief academic officer tells the magazine.

"What people in the region can't get is good post-graduate education," Dr. Robert Thurer is quoted as saying. "Now, many have to leave the country, but the opportunity is limited, and even more limited after September 11 with new visa restrictions."

While the Harvard name is attracting students, when it comes to healthcare, the transfer of its hospital consulting business to Partners HealthCare is drawing some consternation, according to an Arabianbusiness.com article called "Brand on the run."

In April, Harvard turned over the management of its international subsidiary Harvard Medical International to Partners, the parent company of Massachusetts General Hospital, Brigham & Women's Hospital, and other Harvard-affiliated hospitals. The new entity, called Partners Harvard Medical International, has 50 overseas programs in the Middle East, Europe, and Asia.

The reason for the transition was the gradual migration toward health system development and away from an original focus on medical education, Harvard said. That's not proving popular in Dubai or elsewhere, the Arabian Business story says, with the Harvard name expected to vanish by 2012.

"There is no question that our partners were concerned," Dr. Andrew Jeon, Partners Harvard Medical International's acting president and CEO, says in the story about reaction around the world. "Some had name associations and had made huge investments because of their belief in the long term commitment of HMI and its staff."

The new international entity will still draw upon faculty and staff across Harvard University, Harvard and Partners said when the transaction was completed.