SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)
Under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi hosted its first Annual Nursing Conference, focused on "Advancing Nursing Excellence".
The two-day conference, which was held on November 20-21, aimed to raise the level of nursing practices, enhance professional development and celebrate nursing excellence in the region.
The event brought together nursing professionals from across the globe to share innovative practices and advancements in complex patient care, as well as acknowledge Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi's dedication to making nursing a vital pillar in healthcare.
Led by the Nursing Institute at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, the conference provided attendees-from registered nurses to clinical specialists-the opportunity to expand their professional skills and connect with global experts, as well as the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).
Topics covered included innovative nursing practices, leadership, ethical considerations, and the role of technology in healthcare, all in support of advancing excellence in patient care.
Speaking to Aletihad at the event, Elizabeth Govero, Chief Nursing Officer at the Nursing Institute of Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, explained the significance of the event: "We're hosting our first annual nursing conference with the goal of making it an annual event, providing continuing education units, and bringing presenters from around the world to inspire and educate both local and international nurses."
Govero underlined Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi's commitment to serving local communities through education, research, innovation, promoting safety, quality outcomes and evidence-based practices in nursing.
"Innovation does not always mean new technology. Sometimes it is about learning and applying best practices consistently. Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi's growth over the last decade, particularly in handling complex cases such as transplants and neurosurgery, is a prime example of that kind of innovation," she added.
Govero highlighted the use of AI in nursing - piloting a wearable device for proactive care, noting its importance in improving patient care.
"We need to serve and treat patients as if they were our loved ones. The knowledge shared here will hopefully reignite that passion for care and make it contagious," she said.
Tracy McTigue, Nurse Manager, Acute Care, Nursing Institute, at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, spoke to Aletihad about how the conference supports their vision to advance regional healthcare.
She explained: "It helps us promote nursing leadership and excellence by connecting nurses across the region, sharing knowledge, and learning from each other. This fosters nursing excellence and motivates our Emirati nurses, which aligns with our vision to be the best in what we do."
Caregivers spoke about innovative patient care initiatives such as reducing infections and preventing pressure injuries in long-term care patients.
McTigue added: "Many of these initiatives have involved collaboration between nursing, pharmacy and the entire multi-disciplinary team. We also discussed some early-stage AI projects from a nursing perspective. We are very excited about these piloted projects."