Dear Students and Parents,

We are pleased to announce an important new support service for our students abroad. Syracuse University is now an institutional member of International SOS, a membership that gives students studying abroad access to a full range of medical information and emergency services.

Please use the number on the International SOS card that we send via mail. If you do not have a card, please call our offices for access information. Students should sign and carry the card with them. Parents should read the information on the attached card and record the membership number and website address so they also have access.

Here is a brief overview of the most important program features:

• As a member, you have access to ISOS information services at no charge.
  These information services range from the website information provided (including country risk ratings, State Department postings, medical travel recommendations and immunization requirements) to access to medical doctors via phone consultation, referrals to English-speaking doctors, to care assessment and translation services in case of hospitalization.
• However, use of actual medical services (beyond information services) is not free.
  While members have access to ISOS clinics and doctors around the world, delivery of such services must be covered by the member and/or the member’s health insurance policy. This program and membership is not an insurance plan! Students are still required to have health insurance that covers them abroad.
• We do strongly recommend you use another feature of ISOS membership: the personal information record.
  Students can input medical history, blood type, recent surgeries, allergies, etc., and this confidential information is only accessed by ISOS medical staff in an emergency situation where the student is not able to communicate. Travel plans and contact information (destination, dates, flights, hotels) can also be logged on the website, and will not be accessed unless the information is needed in an emergency.

We are very pleased to join 30 other educational institutions now using ISOS services, which for many years have provided the best-available emergency medical services for military personnel, US government officials and staff, and other worldwide organizations and corporations.

Sincerely,

Jon V.C. Booth
Executive Director