Texas Medical Center Salutes Consular Corp of Houston

Consul generals from 73 countries recently were invited to the Texas Medical Center’s annual Consul General Luncheon. Representatives from various Texas Medical Center institutions were on hand to inform the consuls about the various international services and programs they offer.

Duties of each consul, no matter in what U.S. city they are located, may vary depending on the country they represent. Traditionally, they issue passports and other documents to citizens of their countries and assist with citizenship matters; promote academic and professional exchanges; promote commercial relations and scientific exchanges; assist visitors in emergency transfer of funds; safeguard citizens’ interests in pension, estate and inheritance matters; trace missing persons; and locate interpreters or translators, should they be required.

In Houston, many consuls are also called upon to help citizens from the countries they represent secure medical treatment from Texas Medical Center institutions. This is the reasoning behind the annual Texas Medical Center’s Salute to the Consular Corps – to acquaint consuls with services offered by Texas Medical Center institutions so consuls will be prepared to correctly assist foreign patients in need of medical care.

Consular officers are either members of a country’s foreign service or are local residents recommended by local officials and appointed by the foreign government seeking representation. All consuls must be formally accepted by the State Department, which then issues an exequatur – a written recognition giving the consul authorization to fulfill their consular duties in the United States.

"The Consular Corps of Houston is an invaluable resource for the almost 20,000 international patients who seek medical treatment in the Texas Medical Center each year. We value our relationship with the Corp, and look forward to assisting them for many years to come," said Dr. Richard Wainerdi, president and CEO of the Texas Medical Center.

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©2006 Texas Medical Center

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