Leading Hospital more than Doubles Number of Opportunities for Emirati Graduates

Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi’s Wateen Graduate Trainee Program Brings 50 More Young People On-Board Ahead of National Day 2018

As part of the Abu Dhabi 2030 Economic Vision for developing a highly skilled and productive workforce, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi has welcomed 50 UAE National Graduate trainees onto its Wateen graduate trainee program, as the hospital strives to encourage more people to pursue a career in healthcare. 

In total, 50 trainees have joined in non-clinical and clinical roles. The hospital made the announcement in the run-up to National Day 2018, as part of its wider efforts to support Emirati national career development in healthcare.

The Wateen graduate trainee program offers qualified UAE Nationals a structured development program to support their first steps in their clinical and non-clinical careers. 

In November, the hospital held a special graduation ceremony to recognize 20 multi-disciplinary healthcare graduates who were the first cohort of trainees to complete their development programs.

The group included graduate trainees pursuing clinical careers in nursing, dietetics, laboratory, physical therapy, imaging and social work. Other graduate trainees specialized in non-clinical roles in human capital, information technology and operations. 

Nizar Luqman, Chief Human Capital Officer, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, said: “The graduation of this first cohort of trainees and the on-boarding of new trainee are both important milestones as we look to develop the healthcare sector in the UAE. These young people make a distinct contribution to patient care while they are working at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi and leave us with a clear vision for the development of their career paths.” 

“Investment in the next generation of healthcare leaders is an essential part of building a sustainable healthcare sector in Abu Dhabi that can serve the wider region. It also ensures that the caregiver team at the hospital understands, and can respond to, the needs and culture of the community,” he added. 

Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi was officially designated and licensed by the Department of Health as a research and teaching facility in 2017, as part of its strategic plan to become a pioneering Academic Medical Center in the region. 

The hospital provides many development opportunities and educational programs for UAE National caregivers, such as residences and fellowships for physicians, nursing and allied health specialist programs and Individual Development Plans (IDP).

The name ‘Wateen’ is Arabic for aorta, the main vessel of the heart, which reflects the central role of UAE National talent at the core of Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi. The program typically runs for 12 months, with a four-part framework to cover all essential aspects of the knowledge, skills, and behaviors required for a successful career in healthcare. 

The program is open to all UAE Nationals who have graduated within the last two years with a minimum GPA of 3 or its equivalent. Applications are accepted all year-round at [email protected].

In addition to developmental programs, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi has signed partnerships with educational institutions in the UAE to contribute to the development of UAE national healthcare professionals.