US Ambassador to the UAE and Johns Hopkins Medicine CEO Dr Edward Miller visit Tawam Hospital

Abu Dhabi's largest hospital and the Middle East's first medical facility with affiliation to Johns Hopkins Medicine International.

Located in Al Ain, the Abu Dhabi emirate's second important city, Tawam Hospital is well known in the UAE and the Gulf region for the specialist treatment it offers particularly in oncology, surgery, fertility services and critical care. This has made the hospital a major referral centre for critical cases from the UAE and the region.

Dr Miller and Michele Sison, the US Ambassador, were accompanied by Prof Charles Cummings, Vice President for Medical Affairs, Johns Hopkins Medicine International and Mr Harris Benny, Vice President and COO, Johns Hopkins Medicine International. The delegation was received by Dr Ahmed Al Mazrouei, CEO, General Authority for Health Services, Abu Dhabi and escorted on a tour of the hospital's various departments by Michael Heindel, CEO of Tawam Hospital and other officials.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Miller said: "Johns Hopkins Medicine is a leader in global healthcare, committed to creating an environment where scientific research and technological advances continually lead to more effective and compassionate care for all. Johns Hopkins' partnership with Tawam Hospital extends this commitment to the UAE and the Gulf region, bringing the best that we have to offer in research, education, training and clinical services to the world community."

Tawam Hospital secured the 10-year affiliation from Johns Hopkins Medicine International earlier this year, under which the premier US healthcare institution assumed complete administrative and operational oversight of the 469-bed medical facility. Tawam Hospital comes under the supervision of the General Authority for Health Services, a local government body that oversees operations in Abu Dhabi's public hospitals.

Dr Al Mazrouei said: "The growing partnership between Johns Hopkins Medicine and Tawam Hospital furthers the policies of Abu Dhabi's visionary leadership to provide the highest quality healthcare to the people of the emirate and the UAE. The General Authority for Health Services, Abu Dhabi is committed to fulfilling this vision through the adoption of international management systems, operational resources and medical expertise provided by a globally-acclaimed institution of the stature of Johns Hopkins Medicine."

Michael Heindel, CEO of Tawam Hospital said: "Tawam Hospital is honored to welcome the US Ambassador and Dr. Miller. This important visit highlights the growing co-operation between the UAE and the US, and strengthens our existing ties with Johns Hopkins Medicine. Many patients travel abroad to seek specialist treatment, but it is our goal to grow Tawam's services in order to provide this care in the UAE."

"Dr Miller's presence here today will strengthen Tawam's long-term relationship with Johns Hopkins Medicine and will empower health professionals with tools that provide high quality healthcare services and educate future generations, leading to further improvements in healthcare for the local community, the country and the region," he added.

One of the foremost initiatives planned as part of this affiliation is the establishment of an oncology centre of excellence at Tawam with assistance from Johns Hopkins by 2009. The centre will treat the most common types of cancer as well as those prevalent in the Middle East such as lung, prostate and breast cancer. A wide range of treatments will be offered at the centre and the latest information will be available to physicians and patients from The Johns Hopkins Hospital, in Baltimore, US.