Luxury Hospitals
The Cleveland Clinic offers a wide range of medical procedures in comfortable, modern surroundings with state of the art technology and some of Abu Dhabi's leading consultants. Luxury private hospitals combine 5-star luxury, privacy, and outstanding care. Used by royalty (The Princess of Wales has successfully undergone abdominal surgery at The London Clinic in Central London and will be receiving top-notch care at the facility, with her own private room and dedicated doctors.)
Jorge A. Guzman, M.D., is Chief Executive Officer of the Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi and as a seasoned healthcare professional with a rich background in both clinical practice and executive leadership, Dr. Guzman offers a unique perspective on the evolution and success of one of the leading healthcare institutions in the region. Under his guidance, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi has not only continued to excel in delivering world-class healthcare but has also expanded its reach and impact, particularly in serving the complex needs of the community. In this conversation, Dr. Guzman shares his journey to becoming the CEO, the core vision that drives the clinic’s operations, and the innovative strategies employed to navigate the ever-changing landscape of healthcare. Join us as we delve into the factors contributing to the growth and success of Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi and explore Dr. Guzman’s vision for the future of healthcare in the region.
In an exclusive interview with CEO Today, Jorge A. Guzman M.D provides insight into the rise of luxurious private hospitals offering outstanding healthcare and why Abu Dhabi’s aim is to position Abu Dhabi as a hub for the life sciences.
Dr. Jorge Guzman, the Chief Executive Officer of Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi
Dr. Guzman, as CEO and a Consultant Staff Physician, how do you balance the responsibilities of both high-pressure and important roles?
As the CEO of Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi and a Consultant Staff Physician, I find that balancing the responsibilities of both roles is a journey guided by humility and a deep commitment to service. At the heart of everything we do lies our vision which is to be the best place to receive care and to become the best place to work in healthcare.
In navigating the high-pressure demands of these roles, the camaraderie and support of our remarkable leadership team continuously propels me to fulfill our vision and mission. Working together for our patients, we confront challenges head-on, drawing fulfillment from the knowledge that our collective efforts make a tangible difference in the lives of those we serve.
Perspective is a guiding light in my approach. I constantly strive to forge meaningful connectionswith patients, and colleagues, with the broader community. Taking time for reflection allows me to cultivate gratitude for the incredible support we receive from our key partners, including Cleveland Clinic in the U.S., the M42 group, the Department of Health - Abu Dhabi (DoH), and other healthcare facilities.
I believe staying attuned to the needs of our people is paramount. By fostering an environment of transparency and proactive problem-solving, we can anticipate challenges and navigate them with resilience.
What is it that motivates you to serve patients and work towards better healthcare for Abu Dhabi, what made you want a career in this industry to begin with?
My journey to this role began with a childhood dream of facilitating hope and healing. As I progressed in my career, the Cleveland Clinic global approach to medicine resonated deeply with me, inspiring me to contribute to its ongoing legacy of innovation and excellence in compassionate care.
Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi was established in 2015 to cater to the complex healthcare needs of the UAE and deliver world-class care here in the capital. The hospital, which was modeled on the Cleveland Clinic in the U.S., aimed to bring novel and far-sighted care in complex fields to the Gulf region, serving patients close to home.
I joined the organization as Chief of Staff in October 2017, moving to the UAE from the United States, where I served at Cleveland Clinic, Ohio. I was particularly excited to become part of a visionary facility and inspired by the strong focus on advancement and excellence advocated by the UAE leadership. Fostering the patient-centric culture clinical excellence and enabling the highest standards of healthcare with our local partners – is still one of my key drivers.
Every day, I am reminded of the profound privilege it is to serve in this capacity a privilege I embrace with humility and gratitude.
When you started at Cleveland Clinic in 2007 as Director of the Intensive Care Unit did you have any goals for the department which came to fruition and how have you risen through the ranks to now becoming CEO of the Abu Dhabi Clinic?
When I arrived at Cleveland Clinic in 2007 to oversee the Intensive Care Unit, it was as the director of a small medical unit. I envisioned establishing a world-class service line dedicated to critical care, bringing together a multidisciplinary team of doctors, nurses, and specialists. Through meticulous standardization and advancements in critical care practices, we are the foundations for what today is one of the premier ICUs globally. This journey involved pioneering techniques, separating critical care into distinct highly specialized practices, and fostering a culture of excellence that continues to thrive today.
Beyond the walls of Cleveland Clinic, my aspiration extends to revolutionizing ICU care on a broader scale. I envision our institution becoming a beacon of innovation, leveraging telemedicine and remote care integrated with cutting-edge data and digital technologies. Our goal is to extend the reach of our expertise far beyond our physical location, ensuring that anyone in need can access world-class ICU care wherever they may be. Additionally, establishing a critical care transport program would support our commitment to extend assistance to patients wherever they may be, therefore bridging gaps in care delivery and ensuring timely interventions for those in critical need.
Prior to my tenure at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, I served as the Vice President of Regional Hospital Medical Operations at Cleveland Clinic in the U.S., where I pioneered the development of the ICU telemedicine program (eHospital). This experience provided invaluable insights and laid the groundwork for my continued dedication to advancing critical care practices.
Throughout my journey, my focus has always been on putting patients first and driving excellence in medical care. This dedication has propelled me through the ranks, from spearheading critical projects within the hospital to assuming the role of CEO. Yet, I remain deeply committed to my roots as a consultant staff physician in the Critical Care Institute, ensuring that the highest standards of care are upheld at every step.
In essence, my journey from leading the ICU to becoming CEO reflects a humble commitment to excellence, innovation, and the relentless pursuit of better patient outcomes.
With a wealth of knowledge and 35 years of experience, how have you seen the healthcare industry change, in particular, advancement within Cleveland Clinic?
The realm of healthcare is ever evolving, and institutions must stay abreast of trends to adequately address the needs of the communities they serve.
I have been privileged to witness profound transformations in the healthcare industry since the beginning of my career, The history of the Cleveland Clinic Foundation shows how a vision to lead the way in modern medicine, born from modest origins, has endured for over a century and continues to resonate powerfully across borders and this has been very inspiring.
Now Cleveland Clinic is a globally renowned institution dedicated not only to the delivery of medical care but also to research, innovation, and education of healthcare professionals. Cleveland Clinic was first established as a multi-specialty group practice. From a small outpatient clinic, it has grown to become the world’s first integrated international health system. With more than 65,000 caregivers worldwide, and almost 6 million patient visits per year, at more than 200 locations. Cleveland Clinic has introduced many medical firsts, opened multiple facilities around the world and is proud to be ranked among the top hospitals globally. The vision of its founders in 1921 remains ingrained in Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi’s mission: to provide compassionate complex care, research for health, and educate those who serve.
Building on Cleveland Clinic’s legacy of pioneering advancements in various complex conditions, including cardiac procedures and innovative surgery techniques, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi has followed suit with the delivery of personalized care through research, utilization of cutting-edge technologies and our world class expertise, to meet the industry demands in the region.
We’ve been able to leverage technologies at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi to ensure the best outcomes for our patients. Digital and robotic technologies have offered a significant opportunity to optimize resource usage and enhance the efficiency of interventions. For example, the daVinci robotic system enhances precision in minimally invasive procedures, reducing hospital stays and easing the burden on healthcare systems. Ethos adaptive radiotherapy being utilized in our cancer center allows real-time therapy adjustments based on tumor changes, shortening treatment times. AI-based solutions like Transpara aid in cancer detection during mammograms, while AI in endoscopies improves adenoma detection rates.
Personalized medicine is gaining traction globally and is emphasized by regulators in the UAE, with Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi being a key player in the Emirati Genome program led by the Department of health Abu Dhabi (DOH) and M42. The clinic also focuses on sustainability, aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adopt energy-efficient solutions. These efforts align with their commitment to providing world-class healthcare.
In keeping with our vison, we will continue to monitor these trends, and ensure that patients have unfettered access to the best-in-class care.
Cleveland Clinic is able to help and support many patients to get the medical treatment they need without travel; how is this effective in Abu Dhabi? Can you tell us how this has benefited the community?
Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi has been established as a global destination for the delivery of world-class complex care, with a specific mandate to serve patients close to home. The hospital aims to bring to patients the care for which they were traveling abroad, including advanced interventions in the fields of cardiovascular, oncological, neurological and transplant medicine.
In line with this directive, we have prioritized the delivery of multidisciplinary, patient-first solutions in fields that require the highest levels of expertise, and in areas that call for the use of innovative, cutting-edge technologies.
For example, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi houses the only multi-organ transplant center in the UAE, which has performed over 590 organ transplants since its launch in 2017. Prior to its establishment, patients in the UAE who required such transplants were forced to seek care outside the country.
Last year, we also inaugurated the Fatima bint Mubarak Center, a first-of-its-kind integrated and stand-alone cancer center in the UAE. The center is playing a key role in genome testing for the delivery of tailored cancer screening and treatment, and also offers, as an example of advanced interventions, radioembolization (TARE-Y90 therapy), a minimally invasive targeted therapy for patients with metastatic liver cancer.
In addition, we are proud to have revolutionized cardiovascular care in the region. Recognized by the Department of Health - Abu Dhabi (DoH) as Centre of Excellence (CoE) for adult cardiac surgery, the certification showcases Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi’s advanced capabilities to offer a wide array of integrated surgical and structural interventions to diagnose and treat heart disease.
We aim to continue bringing groundbreaking technologies and healthcare expertise to the UAE, ensuring that patients have access to the highest standards of medical diagnosis, prevention and treatment while remaining close to their families and extended support systems.
Can you explain some of the services you provide to your patients that they could not have gotten without the creation of the Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi?
At Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, what sets us apart is our delivery of compassionate care with a continual focus on innovation. In addition to offering world-class complex care for our patients, we have also pioneered many firsts in the UAE and the region.
A prominent example is the organ transplant capabilities we have brought to the UAE. To date, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi’s Transplant Center has completed several challenging transplants, including several double lung transplants, multiple combined organ transplants, and even a ground-breaking triple kidney swap transplant.
We have also been privileged to transform cancer care by making Ethos adaptive radiotherapy available for patients. This pioneering AI-powered system uses artificial intelligence (AI) technology to allow real-time adaptation of cancer treatment based on changes in the patient’s anatomy and tumor status, thus optimizing treatment time and radiation exposure for patients with pelvic, abdominal, bladder and prostate cancers. Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi was the first to launch the technology within the Cleveland Clinic Global Network, and also the first to bring the new-age system to the UAE.
We currently offer the country’s first invasive microvascular and coronary spasm program and have treated complex cardiovascular conditions including over 430 TAVR procedures since 2015. Groundbreaking surgeries like a robotic rib resection, venolysis for venous thoracic outlet syndrome and complex aortic valve replacement for a patient with bicuspid aortic valve disease were successfully performed in 2023 alone.
Designated as a Centre of Excellence for stroke care by the Department of Health - Abu Dhabi, our Neurological Institute utilizes the ARTIS Icono system, employing AI and advanced imaging for immediate intervention in ischemic strokes, the most common type globally.
We continue to pioneer new surgical techniques, including gallbladder drainage using lumen apposing metal stents (LAMS) for gall bladder inflammation and developed enhancements for patient comfort in radical gynecomastia surgery.
Embedded in all our pursuits is our desire to elevate patient comfort and experiences, in keeping with our mission to provide world-class care, delivered by expert and compassionate caregivers.
What does this award mean for you personally and for the clinic? How do successes such as this one positively affects the work you and your colleagues do?
I am thrilled to have been selected for this prestigious award that celebrates leadership success in the Middle East. As I accept it, I would like to stress the unrelenting contributions of our caregivers. The recognition is a true testament to their dedication and resilience, which is key to all our achievements as a healthcare organization.
The pursuit of excellence and putting patients first is embedded in our DNA at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, with each caregiver driven by an unwavering focus on providing the best care for our patients. This award only reinforces our commitment to deliver on our mission of providing world-class, complex care across all our domains: patients, caregivers, community, and organization.
We will continue to enhance experiences as part of our mission to transform healthcare in the UAE and the broader Gulf region, guided by the direction provided by the wise leadership of the UAE.
Finally, Dr. Guzman, is there room within the clinic for continued growth, and what can we expect to see from you in the future?
It is indeed a true privilege for me to be at the helm of Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi: its forward-thinking approach and vision for excellence ensures that there is always scope for progress and growth. Indeed, our outlook for the future centers on developing patient care in line with four characteristics shaping the sector globally: advancement, safety, sustainability, and personalization.
With a focus on advancement, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi is working to enhance expertise, research efforts and infrastructure in a manner that ensures the provision of complex care. Prioritizing safety, our caregivers operate under a principle of Zero Harm, working to improve metrics around hospital safety and well-being. To enhance sustainability, we seek to reduce our environmental impact and optimize our operational models. We also aim to continue tailoring patient interventions, contributing to the development of personalized precision medicine, in line with our standing at the forefront of healthcare innovation.
Leveraging our role as part of the M42 group, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi will also draw on, and support, local and global health promotion, and advancement initiatives. In addition, we remain resolute in our objective to extend world-class healthcare to patients close to home.
We are guided in our efforts by the Department of Health - Abu Dhabi’s aim to position Abu Dhabi as a hub for the life sciences. Our commitment to our mission remains firm, and through our endeavors, we will persevere in bringing the highest standards of care to the UAE and the Gulf region.
https://www.clevelandclinicabudhabi.ae/
Published by: www.ceotodaymagazine.com - June 20th, 2024
