Developing the next generation of UAE caregivers

Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi Program Provides First-hand Experience of Healthcare Careers

Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi has welcomed a new class of students to its ‘Junior Caregiver’ program, which is taking place over the summer. 

A total of 75 top-performing students from public and private schools in Abu Dhabi are taking part in the program, which is designed to contribute to the future development of the UAE’s healthcare sector. By rotating through the different departments of the hospital, participants can better understand the diverse and exciting career options available in healthcare. 

“Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi’s Junior Caregiver program has proved immensely popular since it began in 2017, and this summer we are welcoming the highest number of students to date. By demonstrating the wide range of rewarding careers available in healthcare, the program encourages young people to consider careers as physicians, pharmacists, nurses and administrators. We believe that this approach will ensure that there will be a strong pool of healthcare professionals to support hospitals in the UAE in the future,” says Nizar Luqman, Chief Human Capital Officer at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi. 

Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi’s Junior Caregiver program was developed as part of the hospital’s commitment to building a sustainable healthcare sector in Abu Dhabi. By providing hands-on learning experiences, the hospital hopes to introduce the healthcare sector as a viable career option to the UAE’s next generation. 

The continued success of the ‘Junior Caregiver’ program is a result of the close collaboration between Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi and the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge. Staff from the hospital visited more than 10 schools across the capital to interview and select some of Abu Dhabi’s best and brightest students for the opportunity to participate.

“Healthcare will play an increasingly important role in our national development. This program is a wonderful opportunity for our next generation to gain valuable experience that will guide them in choosing their future career in healthcare. It is heartening to see so many students exploring how they can personally contribute to the achievements of the UAE in this industry,” continues Luqman. 

The summer program provides students with the opportunity to work alongside physicians in the hospital and gain a deeper understanding of the work that goes into providing care to patients. In addition, the students will rotate through 13 hospital departments including Pharmacy, Nursing, and Administration.

Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi is part of Mubadala’s network of healthcare providers, which work together to address the emirate’s most pressing healthcare needs. Designated as an advanced teaching facility by the Abu Dhabi Department of Health, the hospital has placed education at the core of its mission.