Cleveland Clinic Celebrates a Decade of Healthcare in Abu Dhabi

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates: Since opening a decade ago, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi has redefined complex care in the United Arab Emirates and the surrounding region, setting new benchmarks and achievements as a global medical leader.

Since 2015, the hospital recorded more than 6.8 million patient encounters, performed more than 175,000 procedures, including over 800 life-changing transplants, 550 transcatheter valve replacements and over 6,400 neurosurgeries, and has introduced hundreds of groundbreaking medical innovations that have transformed healthcare in the region.

Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi continues to set new global benchmarks in complex care, research and education. In 2024, the hospital served over one million patient encounters and performed over 26,000 surgical procedures.

“Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi’s impact is tremendous,” said Cleveland Clinic CEO and President Tom Mihaljevic, M.D., holder of the Morton L. Mandel CEO Chair. “It is remarkable that in just 10 years, we have created a hospital that provides high-quality care to UAE residents and people across the region so they can experience Cleveland Clinic care close to home. We are also educating the next generation of Cleveland Clinic caregivers through multiple educational and residency programs, and our research activity is surpassing all expectations,” he added. “I am proud of what we have been able to accomplish in such a short period of time in the history of healthcare. It is a lot to be proud of.”

Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi was established with a mandate to provide world-class complex care locally, reducing the need for patients in the UAE to travel abroad for specialized treatments. Over the past ten years, it has evolved into a destination for medical care, pioneering innovation across multiple specialties, including transplant, cardiovascular care, oncology and neurology. With eight specialized institutes and a team of over 5,700 caregivers representing more than 80 nationalities, the hospital remains at the forefront of medical advancement and while catering to patients in the UAE, it now also serves those seeking complex care from abroad.

"Ten years ago, we set out to deliver the most advanced and complex care to patients in the UAE and the wider region,” said Georges-Pascal Haber, M.D, CEO of Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi.“Today, we stand as a beacon of excellence, having pioneered robotic and AI-assisted programs; performing the first combined heart and lung transplant in the UAE; the first robotic mastectomy in the Middle East. These milestones underscore our commitment to medical innovation, patient-centric care, and the visionary leadership of the UAE. We are driven every day by the trust of our patients and the dedication of our caregivers."

Pioneering Achievements in Complex Care

Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi has consistently led the way in innovative treatments and medical firsts:

• Transplantation: Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi is home to the UAE’s first multi-organ transplant center, having performed over 800 life-changing transplants. The hospital pioneered robotic donor and recipient kidney transplants and delivered the UAE’s first robotic bilateral kidney transplant from a deceased donor and first combined heart and lung transplant advancing organ transplantation in the region.
• Cardiovascular Excellence: Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi has performed over 6,500 surgeries, including more than 550 transcatheter valve replacements, and almost 2,000 coronary artery bypass surgeries (CABGS), setting new standards in heart care. The hospital has been designated as the Center of Excellence for Adult Cardiac Surgery by the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH), the regulator of the healthcare sector in the Emirate, reflecting its leadership in cardiovascular innovation. The hospital has pioneered advanced heart procedures, including the first minimally invasive mitral valve repair in the UAE and groundbreaking robotic-assisted cardiac surgeries, further cementing its role as a regional leader in heart care.
• Cancer Innovation: The Fatima bint Mubarak Center, the region’s most advanced standalone cancer facility, is redefining oncology care through cutting-edge treatments and multidisciplinary approaches. Since its inauguration in 2023, the center has recorded over 55,000 oncology clinic visits, and performed over 14,000 radiation treatments, over 22,000 chemotherapy infusions, and 14,000 imaging studies. The hospital has introduced the UAE’s first fully robotic mastectomy and has been at the forefront of precision oncology, offering advanced genomic testing and personalized treatment plans. It is also home to the country’s only AI-assisted adaptive radiation oncology, enhancing treatment precision and patient outcomes. In addition to clinical excellence, the center is an active research hub, with three clinical trials currently open. With expertise across multiple cancer subspecialties, including blood, breast, and gastrointestinal cancers, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi continues to elevate cancer care in the region.
• Neurological Advancements: With over 6,400 neurosurgeries performed, including 100 deep brain simulation (DPS) for the treatment of movement disorders, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi has established itself as a regional leader in advanced neurosurgical care. Recognized for its expertise, the hospital has been designated as a Center of Excellence for Stroke by DoH. In 2019, it performed the UAE’s first deep brain stimulation procedure for Parkinson’s disease, further solidifying its expertise in neurosurgical care. The hospital also provides advanced treatments for epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, and cerebrovascular diseases, utilizing cutting-edge imaging, AI-driven diagnostics, and minimally invasive neurosurgical techniques to enhance patient outcomes.

Driving Innovation in Healthcare, Research, and Education

As part of its commitment to advancing medical science, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi has embraced AI and robotic-assisted surgeries, performing over 1,100 robotic surgeries. The hospital has also been at the forefront of clinical research, with 229 active studies with a total of 600 research projects over the past decade. Its efforts have secured significant research grants and contributed to groundbreaking discoveries in precision medicine and artificial intelligence.

Education is integral to Cleveland Clinic’s vision, and in alignment with Abu Dhabi’s Economic Vision 2030, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi has played a crucial role in strengthening the local healthcare ecosystem. The hospital offers 14 clinical placement programs, including clinical electives, internships, medical residencies, and observerships. To date, more than 2,100 trainees have completed these programs, and over 2,000 clinical placements have been facilitated. Additionally, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi is the first UAE hospital accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME®) and has provided educational opportunities for more than 10,000 healthcare professionals through Continuing Medical Education (CME) programs.