LEAWOOD, Kan., Jan. 30, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- As Nueterra Global Alliance (NGA) continues to advance healthcare options around the world, they are proud to welcome FirstHealth of the Carolinas, a health system based in renowned golf resort, Pinehurst, NC, to their global network of healthcare systems, hospitals, physicians, insurance companies and third party administrators.

"The leaders of FirstHealth are incredibly excited to serve a broader patient base and are proud to be partnering with Nueterra Global Alliance," said John F. Krahnert, M.D., cardiothoracic surgeon and chief medical officer with FirstHealth of the Carolinas. "It has always been our mission to care for people and provide quality healthcare services to our patients. It is exciting to reach beyond our borders and offer access to our board certified physicians and outstanding facilities to the international community."

Established as Nueterra's international arm, NGA is working with international and domestic partner hospitals, like FirstHealth of the Carolinas, to generate both inbound and outbound medical exchange opportunities. They're also working to provide these facilities with educational and material resources.

"FirstHealth of the Carolinas is an incredible network of best-in-class facilities, with numerous specialty care options at their disposal, including a state-of-the-art heart center that's staffed with board-certified cardiothoracic surgeons, fellowship-trained orthopaedic surgeons and award-winning bariatric surgeons," said David Miller, president of Nueterra Global Alliance. "Our partnership with FirstHealth opens the door to an incredible healthcare destination for the patients we'll be bringing in from around the world."

Patients who travel to Pinehurst for medical attention will experience the highest quality care and be surrounded by a serene and relaxing tourist destination. Pinehurst is America's home for golf and the Pinehurst Resort, a top-notch spa resort that will host the first back-to-back men's and women's U.S. Opens in June 2014.

By partnering with NGA, FirstHealth will be included in international marketing efforts and can extend its medical specialties, including heart, valve, orthopaedic and weight-loss surgeries, to a broader patient base. In addition, FirstHealth has developed new pricing options that will allow NGA to provide their patient population with greater cost transparency and budget management.

"Price transparency is a huge part of what we're doing, because it's showing our patient base that medical exchange really is accessible and affordable," Miller said.

FirstHealth of the Carolinas began accepting NGA-referred patients in January 2014. To learn more, visit www.nueterraglobalalliance.com.

About Nueterra
At Nueterra, we're taking healthcare forward. We're unlocking opportunities for providers through clinical integration solutions. We're opening doors for consumers by expanding their access.

Through a growing list of innovative programs and services, we're putting the power of our global network of facilities and our advanced technologies to work - connecting patients, physicians, educators and investors. Our solutions expand market reach, increase market share and deliver a higher quality of care while reducing expenditures.

As healthcare continues to evolve, so will we - seeking out and maximizing emerging opportunities. To continue moving forward, we've aligned ourselves with a diverse team of partners.

By combining our strategic interests, capabilities and experiences, we're transforming healthcare and creating a new level of clinical integration. We're connecting providers. We're coordinating services. We're creating an exceptional patient experience.

About FirstHealth of the Carolinas
FirstHealth of the Carolinas is a private, non-governmental, not-for-profit healthcare network located in Pinehurst, North Carolina. The system primarily serves 15 counties in the mid-Carolinas and is licensed for four hospitals with a total of 582 beds, plus the Reid Heart Center, a rehabilitation center, three sleep disorders centers, three dental clinics, ten family care centers, five fitness centers, a laundry, four charitable foundations, a Hospice program, home health services, convenient care services and an insurance plan. Critical care transport, EMS and medical transport services are also offered.

FirstHealth is governed by a community-based Board of Directors consisting of twenty-two volunteer board members from Moore, Montgomery, Richmond, Hoke and Scotland counties. FirstHealth also has four entity boards. David J. Kilarski serves as chief executive officer for the healthcare system.

All major medical and surgical specialties and numerous subspecialties, including open-heart and valve surgery, bariatric weight-loss surgery, neurosurgery and neonatology are provided. FirstHealth hospitals have an active medical staff of 290 with more than 94 percent board certified. All hospitals hold all major accreditations with the exception of the newly opened Hoke campus, which is currently awaiting accreditation surveys. To learn more about FirstHealth, please visit www.firsthealth.org.

SOURCE Nueterra Global Alliance