Tawam Hospital looking forward to a successful 2012

Al Ain, 23, January, 2012: Tawam Hospital, in affiliation with Johns Hopkins Medicine, is looking forward to an exceptional 2012 according to senior hospital management.  Tawam has enjoyed a very successful 2011, with highlights of the last 12 months including multiple awards, several highly-effective community health awareness initiatives, advances in the hospital’s healthcare services, and hosting a number of international medical conferences.

Last year the Hospital was recognised with numerous awards from several prestigious entities such as the Arab Health and Innovation Awards where Tawam collected an Award for ‘Excellence in Laboratory Services’, and was shortlisted for other awards including ‘Excellence in Patient Safety’ and ‘Excellence in Hospital Emergency Department’.  Tawam was also successful at Dubai Quality Group Awards where the hospital was honoured with a bronze medal for its innovative approaches in JCIA Training. At the SEHA Quality Improvement Transformational Awards, Tawam’s new surgical admissions process received a Gold Award; and November’s International Business Awards saw the hospital’s Ahlam Sheiban honoured as the Executive Healthcare Leader of the 2011.   Dr. Said Abu Hasna was a distinguished honouree in the same awards. The Hospital was also honoured at the  SEHA Circle of Excellence Second Annual Awards with ‘Business Entity of the Year’, ‘CEO of the Year’, ‘COO of the Year’, ‘CFO of the Year’, and ‘Facilities Director of the Year’ Awards.  Additionally, Emirati Dr. Taif Al Saraj Chief Clinical Officer at Tawam received a Sheikh Rashid Award for Academic Excellence for gaining a ‘superior’ PhD qualification, and a Tawam Hospital won a Dr. Parthab C. Reddy’s Safe Care Award for Best Patient Safety Initiative.

Gregory Schaffer, CEO, Tawam Hospital said, “At Tawam Hospital, we are pleased to have been recognised by so many well-respected bodies in our committed efforts to provide world-class healthcare in the UAE.  In addition to these awards, 2011 has been a year full of developments and advances, which has set high expectations for 2012, which we highly anticipate to be another exceptional year for Tawam.”

In 2009 Tawam became the first hospital in UAE to introduce mobile mammography screening in an attempt to curb the trend of late diagnosis leading to high mortality levels, and the units play an integral part of Tawam’s breast cancer awareness campaign each October and throughout the year.  Tawam has revealed that from January to November 2011, the Tawam signature mobile mammography unit conducted over 2000 screening mammograms.  An increased effort on awareness and screening programmes during International Breast Cancer Awareness month 2011 meant that 405 women, almost three times the monthly average, were screened during October. 

In addition to raising awareness of breast cancer, Tawam also participated in numerous other health initiatives, including February’s World Kidney Day community awareness campaign and a healthy lifestyle campaign launched in December in time for the New Year, to combat national concerns over obesity related illness.   In June, the Minister of Health conferred special appreciation on the Tawam Blood Bank in recognition of Tawam’s year round efforts toward blood services in the UAE, which includes an annual blood donation drive.

Steven Matarelli, COO Tawam Hospital said, “As one of the largest healthcare provider’s in the UAE, Tawam takes its responsibility to the health of local communities very seriously.  At Tawam, we are proud to present the various community service events and initiatives that have taken place in 2011.  In 2012 we endeavour to continue spreading awareness about the prevention of numerous conditions and diseases affecting our communities, emphasizing the importance of a healthy lifestyle”.

A regional patient referral centre for services including oncology and fertility, and a national referral centre for dialysis, in 2011 Tawam Hospital continued to be at the forefront of medical advance in UAE by hosting several international conferences. Conferences including March’s Fifth International Paediatric Conference, June’s Patient Safety Conference, and September’s Second International Pain Management Conference joined together prominent local experts, supported by international speakers from across Europe and the Middle East as well as speakers from Johns Hopkins Medicine, to share experience and expertise in the pursuit of excellence in healthcare.

Tawam’s Oncology Department, which treats upwards of 18714 cancer patients annually, will also remember 2011 as a year of significant breakthrough.  Last year the Radiation Oncology Unit became the first cancer treatment facility in the UAE to commission Tomotherapy, a cutting edge new radiation treatment with much success; the first patients have safely and successfully been treated.
In fact, Tawam’s commitment to providing easy access to state-of-the-art healthcare to the population, regardless of where they are located, led to a number of developments for Tawam’s ‘Satellites’, or Primary Care Centres.  Better placed for communities living in the more remote areas of Abu Dhabi, Centres such as Al Wagan Hospital, introduced kidney dialysis sessions and extended its pediatric clinic hours and opened a ‘Well Women’ clinic. Jahli Clinic, which specializes in providing Family Medicine, also introduced important new services in 2011 including the launch of a monthly Chronic Disease Clinic, and Antenatal Care and Women’s Health Clinics, where women can make appointments for precautionary PAP smears and Breast Exams.
Humaid Al Mansouri, Deputy CEO Tawam Hospital commented: “Tawam Hospital is committed to the development of UAE nationals and increasing the Tawam Emiratization rate, particularly in leadership roles.   Emiratization is very important to us at Tawam, where currently around 55 per cent of senior management positions are filled by UAE nationals. Earlier this year, Tawam launched a pioneering new Emiratization initiative to aid in developing Emirati talent - the UAE has an exceptionally young population; fresh university graduates join the national workforce every year and Tawam is committed to encouraging them to fulfill their full potential and lead in line with government vision"

2011 also marks the first year that the first cohort of students graduated from Tawam’s pioneering Excel Emirati Program; a practical training course designed to equip hospital UAE national ‘front-line’ staff with the necessary skills to forge successful careers as healthcare professionals.

Tawam Hospital is part of the SEHA Health System and is owned and operated by Abu Dhabi Health Services Company PJSC (SEHA), which is responsible for the curative activities of all the public hospitals and clinics in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. 

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About Tawam Hospital
Tawam Hospital in affiliation with John Hopkins Medicine is a premier, 466-bed tertiary care facility located in Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, the largest of the United Arab Emirates. Tawam serves as a regional referral center for specialized medical care and a national referral center for oncology services. Though it offers services in all specialties, the hospital is best known for its neonatal care, emergency medicine, intensive care, oncology services and state-of-the-art cardiac care. Tawam Hospital is one of the first public hospital to receive JCI accreditation in the UAE.  Tawam Hospital is part of the SEHA HealthSystem owned and operated by Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (SEHA) which is responsible for the curative activities of all the public hospitals and clinics of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.

About Johns Hopkins Medicine International
Johns Hopkins Medicine International (JHI) facilitates the global development of the Johns Hopkins Medicine mission: to improve the health of the community and the world by setting the standard of excellence in medical education, research and clinical care.
As the international access point to thousands of Johns Hopkins experts in medicine, nursing, public health and health care administration, JHI coordinates treatment for out-of-town patients who travel to Baltimore and for local patients with limited English proficiency. It also provides services in hospital management, health care consulting and clinical education through strategic alliances and affiliations in the Middle East, Latin America, North America, Europe and Asia.

About the SEHA HealthSystem and the Abu Dhabi Health Services Company PJSC (SEHA)
SEHA is health in Arabic.  The Abu Dhabi Health Services Company PJSC– whose marketing identity is SEHA – is an independent, public joint stock company created to develop the curative activities of the public healthcare system in Abu Dhabi. The company owns and operates all the public hospitals and clinics of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi which together make up the SEHA HealthSystem.  SEHA is committed to continuous improvement of customer care to recognized international standards and providing our customers and communities served world class healthcare.  SEHA has partnered with internationally recognized hospital managers to achieve these goals.  These include Johns Hopkins Medicine International, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, VAMED, Medical University of Vienna, and Fresenius Medical Care.  SEHA owns and operates 12 hospitals with 2,644 beds, 62 ambulatory care, family care and urgent care centers and 2 blood banks.  SEHA is one of the largest integrated healthcare providers in the Middle East with more than 17,000 doctors, nurses, ancillary care and administrative personnel in its employ.  Visit our website at www.seha.ae.  For further information, contact Salama Al Mazrouei, Manager, Corporate Marketing and Communications (A) at smazrouei@seha.ae.