ITIC Americas Speakers

Dr Miguel Cortés Gutiérrez is a Senior Flight Physician with over 15 years of experience in aeromedical and critical care transport, having completed more than 500 air medical missions. He specialises in the management and transfer of critically ill patients, including complex ICU and emergency cases. He is a graduate of the University of Guadalajara and has trained in high-acuity emergency departments and intensive care units in Guadalajara, Mexico.

Dr Cortés holds advanced certifications in ATLS, ACLS, FCCS, and ABLS, and has completed clinical rotations at Shriners Hospitals for Children, with a focus on paediatric burn care. He is certified by the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) in Medical and Surgical Emergencies. His expertise includes advanced resuscitation, aeromedical evacuation, flight physiology, and crew resource management. He has also earned AMA PRA Category 1 Credits from Harvard Medical School for training in mechanical ventilation during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Brandon Bates is responsible for strategic growth and development as well as marketing, companywide, at AirMed International. He plays a vital role in the service delivery to all of AirMed’s key partners, as well as securing and managing new partnerships and executing brand strategies. Brandon joined AirMed in August 2005 as an Account Executive for the AirMed membership program and served as Director of Membership Sales for the organisation from 2009–2013. In addition, he oversees the 24/7/365 AirMed Global Operations Center which is responsible for handling over 100,000 calls annually. Brandon holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree in Business Administration and during his tenure at AirMed has successfully led initiatives targeted at developing new market growth and brand recognition. He is actively involved in the air medical transport community as a member of AAMS and THiA as well as currently serving as a Board Member of the UStiA.

Daniel Escolá is Regional Business & Product Senior Manager at Assist Card International and Country Manager for Assist Card Chile. With over a decade of experience in the travel insurance industry, Daniel has led strategic initiatives across Latin America, focusing on the design of innovative business models, product development, pricing, and international business growth. He began his career as a lawyer in Buenos Aires, working in law firms and the banking and insurance sectors before joining Assist Card in 2014. Daniel holds an MBA from Universidad Torcuato Di Tella, and a Digital Marketing Diploma from Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. His expertise lies in combining innovation and customer-centric strategies to enhance the travel insurance experience.

Dr Martinez is an Emergency Physician and Flight Surgeon, and Master of Health Administration. He has worked in the travel insurance industry as Medical Director for insurance and assistance companies in North and South America, during his many years of experience in clinical and medical administration practice.

Born and raised in Colombia, Dr Martinez holds dual (Canadian) citizenship, as he lived for over a decade in BC, working in the air ambulance and travel insurance sectors. He currently lives in Guadalajara, Mexico, where he directs ASSISTANCE SERVICES OF THE AMERICAS (ASA), an international medical assistance company that assists insurance and assistance services worldwide with their medical cases in Latin America and the Caribbean.

During his clinical practice Dr Martinez evacuated over 1,500 critical patients within five continents, in military and civilian operations. He holds ATLS and ACLS certifications, and has been a speaker for emergency medicine and medical insurance forums.

Erick serves as Vice President of Investigation Services at Diligence International Group, LLC, the premier provider of international investigations and anti-fraud solutions for the financial services industry. In this role, he orchestrates complex global investigations, spearheads the expansion of Diligence’s worldwide operations, and leverages cutting-edge investigative technologies while conducting comprehensive social media and desktop research.

Since joining Diligence in 2011, Erick has established himself as an industry thought leader, delivering impactful presentations on foreign death investigations, advanced social media research methodologies, and the application of artificial intelligence in fraud detection at numerous industry conferences. He is currently on the Board of Directors at the International Claim Association and co-chairs their Fraud and Risk Management Committee.

Laura Hilton has over 25 years’ experience creating quality-driven, cost-effective global healthcare networks. The architect of a worldwide healthcare network available to over 62 million insured members in 180+ countries, Laura is passionate about leveraging technology to simplify the healthcare experience. Laura has developed customized international healthcare solutions for multinational corporations, family offices, study abroad programs, NGOs and professional sports teams. A graduate of Yale University, Laura speaks five languages.

With over 20 years of experience in the healthcare and insurance sectors, Dr Sánchez Campos specialises in managing complex operations, leading case management teams, and developing networks across Latin America. His expertise includes optimising processes to ensure cost control, improving service delivery, and building strategic relationships with corporate clients and providers. As Director of Case Management & Networks for LATAM at Global Excel Management, he drives operational excellence and supports business expansion in key markets.

Dr Sánchez Campos has a deep understanding of travel, expat, and healthcare services, with a focus on delivering personalised customer care while achieving significant cost savings.

With a strategic mindset, he aligns global priorities with regional objectives, fostering collaboration across teams in North America and Latin America. He actively contributes to the financial health of the organisation by delivering exceptional outcomes for clients.

Aishell Sanchez is Head of International Business Development at Hospital Fundación Santa Fe de Bogotá, where she leads the institution’s international strategy and global market positioning. She is responsible for driving international growth, developing high-level strategic partnerships, and strengthening global networks across insurers, assistance companies, healthcare providers, and international stakeholders.

Aishell plays a key role in positioning Fundación Santa Fe de Bogotá as a leading high-complexity academic medical centre, internationally recognised for excellence in clinical outcomes, patient safety, research, and innovation. She also supports the international expansion and market positioning of Hospital Serena del Mar, a state-of-the-art hospital operated by Fundación Santa Fe de Bogotá, serving complex patients in Colombia’s Caribbean region.

She holds an MBA in Business Administration and Management and brings a strategic, results-driven, and quality-focused approach to international healthcare development.

Deborah is a Surveyor at Joint Commission International (JCI). In this role, she applies her extensive global healthcare leadership experience to evaluate organisations against JCI’s rigorous quality and patient safety standards, supporting their efforts to achieve and sustain excellence worldwide.

She has more than 38 years of healthcare leadership experience spanning national health systems, academic organisations, and international institutions. She previously served as the National Lead for Acute and Specialist Services at the Department of Health in England. She also co‑chaired the UK Emergency Services Action Team and served as a specialist advisor to the Prime Minister on Disaster Planning.

She served as the first nurse President of the National Association of Theatre Nurses (UK), working as a researcher at the King’s Fund Institute, and served as Director of Quality, Patient Safety, and Research at National Guard Health Affairs in Saudi Arabia.

Dr Belilty is the Founder and CEO of LOGIMEDEX, a leading Mexican medical assistance company recognised for its nationwide 24/7 response network and innovative model for pre-, intra-, and post-hospital care. Under his leadership, LOGIMEDEX has become a benchmark in Mexico and is expanding across LATAM, delivering efficient, reliable, and patient-centered solutions for international insurers and corporations.

A graduate in medicine from Universidad Xochicalco (2011), Dr Belilty began his career as an emergency physician in Mexico City. He earned a Master’s degree in Strategic Management of Health Organizations in 2014 and later served as Medical Director of Hospital Medical Center in La Paz, Baja California Sur (2015–2020).

His global perspective, expertise in risk management, and commitment to operational excellence have positioned him as a thought leader in medical logistics and healthcare strategy, trusted by partners across diverse markets.

Dr Griselda Eva Werner is a healthcare executive and medical doctor with a Master’s in Hospital and Health Services Administration and specialised training in Healthcare Project Management and Global Health Systems. With over eight years of experience in hospital operations, international medical assistance, and strategic healthcare management, she has led multidisciplinary teams and organisational initiatives focused on quality, innovation, and patient-centered care. As Chief Operations Manager at LOGIMEDEX, she oversees global healthcare coordination for insurers, cruise lines, and corporate clients, ensuring operational excellence and compliance with international standards. Renowned for her leadership, analytical vision, and strategic mindset, Dr Werner combines clinical expertise with executive management to drive sustainable growth and elevate service quality.

With over two decades of experience servicing Canadian and international health insurers and assistance companies, Pablo Castillo is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer at MedBrick Inc., a Canadian company specialising in medical assistance, cost containment and health tourism in The Americas.

Pablo is also the Founder of Destination Health – Canadian Medical Tourism Trade Show, an international event held in Montreal and Ottawa in recent years. He holds an undergraduate degree in Liberal Arts from Bishop´s University and has been dedicated to providing business solutions and innovative strategies to the industry since 2002.

Dr Herrera is the Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of MedOne Assistance, a leading travel assistance company based in the Dominican Republic. A licensed physician with a strong background in emergency and prehospital care, Dr Herrera combines clinical expertise with strategic operational leadership to deliver high-quality, patient-centered assistance solutions. With extensive experience coordinating complex medical evacuations, ground support, and international insurance case management, she plays a pivotal role in ensuring seamless care for travellers and expatriates alike. Her commitment to innovation, ethical standards, and service excellence has positioned MedOne as a trusted partner for global insurers, corporations, and healthcare networks. Dr Herrera is passionate about expanding access to quality care and elevating the standards of the travel assistance industry throughout the region.

Joseph is currently the Executive Director/CEO of International Services at Northwell. As Executive Director, he leads the strategic vision of our International Services programme and partners with both clinical and administrative leaders to connect the incredible teams within Northwell to a global audience. To showcase the full depth and breadth of Northwell, we have aligned three key areas, International Patient Services, The Center for Global Health, and International Consulting Services.

Joseph has been with Northwell for over 13 years and prior to this role, served as the Vice President/Associate Executive Director of Experience Services for our three Manhattan sites where he was responsible for transforming day-to-day operations to experience touch points.

Before entering the world of healthcare, Joseph worked with luxury brands and has a BFA in theatre performing arts with a minor in business from Adelphi University, as well as an MBA in marketing and advertising.

Neal Levin is an accomplished Fraud, Investigations and Asset Recovery attorney. Often compared to The Wolf from Pulp Fiction, Neal contends with a litany of fraudsters and fraudulent transactions, including those stemming from bankruptcy fraud, occupational fraud, corporate governance fraud, government corruption, insurance fraud, bank fraud, mortgage fraud, asset concealment, so-called asset protection plans, offshore financial centres, blockchain, bitcoins and other cryptocurrencies, art fraud and related thefts, and, of course, Ponzi schemes.

His practice is international in scope, encompassing expertise in Foreign Money Judgment Recognition and Enforcement, Arbitration Award Enforcement, Chapter 15 Bankruptcy, and International Discovery under 28 USC §1782. He has appeared in dozens of different tribunals over the course of over 30 years in the business. Neal and his team, which includes an internal investigations unit, leverage their success through the use of progressive intel harvesting as well as an intensive study of the psychology of fraudsters and victims.

Originally from Taiwan, Dr Cheng-Kai Kao is Medical Director, Office of International Programs, University of Chicago Medicine, where he is also the Chief Medical Information Officer.  He is US Board Certified in both Internal Medicine and Clinical Informatics.

His areas of interest include clinical decision support, documentation improvement, digital health, hospital at home, and international patient care.

Constanza ‘Connie’ Traub is the Vice President of Marketing at VIP Universal Medical Insurance Group (VUMI), where she leads global marketing, communications, product innovation, and strategic market expansion across the Americas, Europe, and emerging regions. With more than 15 years of experience in international private medical insurance (IPMI), Connie has played a key role in positioning VUMI as a leader in high-quality, patient-centric healthcare solutions.

Her work is deeply rooted in the company’s mission of improving healthcare access, cost transparency, and service quality throughout Latin America – a region facing rising medical inflation, inconsistent standards of care, and growing demand for international coverage. Connie collaborates closely with actuarial, underwriting, provider relations, and leads the product development team to design solutions that balance affordability with superior patient experience, including specialty products like My VIP Care and Travel VIP.