Abu Dhabi hospital nurses to support US counterparts

ABU DHABI: A team of eight nurses from Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, an integral part of Mubadala Health, has flown to the United States to spend six weeks with caregivers on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic at Cleveland Clinic Hillcrest Hospital in Ohio.

Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi’s collaboration with the Us-based Cleveland Clinic during this time highlights the international confidence in Abu Dhabi’s healthcare sector and the readiness of its medical workforce and resources during the pandemic.

“Nurses have played a critical role during the pandemic by providing direct assistance and raising awareness among patients and communities,” said Sue Behrens, chief nursing officer, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi. “Having been on the frontlines of care for the sickest patients during the peak of the pandemic in the Emirates, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi’s nursing workforce has gained the crucial knowledge and treatment skills required to address the pressing needs of patients in the United States and are ready to support their counterparts where and when it is needed the most.”

Nimeh Mahmoud, a nurse on the neurological intensive care team at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, said that when she got the call one evening to volunteer in the US, she did not have to think twice. “I became a nurse to help people in need and give back to the community. So, when I was told that there was an opportunity to help my colleagues in the US, I could not refuse.”

Jennifer Yeckley, who is part of the wound and stomal care team at the Abu Dhabi hospital, says that she will be sharing her experience and expertise in treating COVID-19 patients in the UAE with the US team.

“During the peak of the pandemic, we learned a lot about the positioning of patients while they recovered. I’m looking forward to sharing that knowledge and learning more from my peers at Cleveland Clinic.”

Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi is an integral part of Mubadala Health. With a vision to transform the regional healthcare landscape, Mubadala Health sets a new benchmark for the UAE and regional healthcare industry through its state-ofthe-art facilities and world-class caregivers who strive to put patients first across its continuum of care. Innovation, research, and education are the foundational pillars of Mubadala Health, supporting the further development of a sustainable healthcare sector in line with the vision of Abu Dhabi and the region.