Unimed Vitória

Ranked among Brazil's top 10 medical cooperative operators, Unimed Vitoria has been able to deliver excellent financial and non-financial results which the leadership team attributes in large part to the success of their BSC program. They enjoy a healthy outlook despite the crisis facing the healthcare industry coupled with the economic and political uncertainties in Brazil.

Unimed is the world's largest healthcare cooperative and Brazil's largest medical care network, with a presence in 75% of the country. Unimed Vitoria is one of 376 medical cooperatives in the Unimed network, ranking sixth among Brazil's largest medical cooperative operators. Its 2,188 member doctors and 1,333 collaborators serve 231,000 customers. The cooperative ended 2006 with earnings of R$ 410 million and, with a 40% market share, as the industry leader in the state.

"Markets are undergoing deep transformation after decades of minor competition. With... the privatization of state-owned companies and global competitors, competition became more intense... Unimed Vitoria, always aware of changes in the competitive game, ...took its first steps in [1996]... elaborating its plan in a strategic manner... [In 2003], the BSC was adopted, permitting the implementation, follow-up and necessary adjustments, as well as [mid-course] corrections, [thereby] allowing the cooperative to focus on its objectives and thus reach projected results. The strategy guarantees competitive advantages... and above average long-term returns... Placing strategy at the center of its management model, [Unimed Vitoria has been transformed] into a [Strategy-Focused Organization]."

Dr. Alexandre Augusto Ruschi Filho, President