Cleveland Clinic

May 12 - 19, 2023
London & Abu Dhabi

Practical Information

Our Honorary Host

Our wonderful itinerary will be led by Dr. Cosgrove, as well as Cleveland Clinic leaders and friends in London and Abu Dhabi. You will enjoy the best dining and cultural experiences each city has to offer, along with behind-the-scenes tours of Cleveland Clinic London and Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi.

Toby Cosgrove, MD

Toby Cosgrove, MD, is former CEO and current Executive Advisor of Cleveland Clinic. He is Strategic Advisor to Care Centrix, Senior Advisor of Innova Health Partners, and is Member of the Board of Directors of Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, American Well, Hims & Hers and View. He worked for Google Cloud and currently is an advisor for several healthcare organizations. As an expert on health issues, he is a frequent commentator in national and international media.

As CEO and President of Cleveland Clinic from 2004 through 2017, he led the $8 billion organization to new heights of achievement and efficiency, seeing it ranked the #2 hospital in America (U.S. News). In his role as Executive Advisor, he is working with Cleveland Clinic leadership on strategies for national and international growth.

Dr. Cosgrove graduated from Williams College and the University of Virginia School of Medicine. He trained at Massachusetts General Hospital and Brook General Hospital in London. In 1967, he was a surgeon in the U.S. Air Force, earning a Bronze Star.

Dr. Cosgrove joined Cleveland Clinic in 1975, and chaired the Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular surgery from 1989 to 2004. He performed over 22,000 operations and earned an international reputation in valve repair. He holds 30 patents for medical innovations. As CEO from 2004 to 2017, he reorganized services, improved outcomes and patient experience, and strengthened the organization’s finances.

He is a member of the National Academy of Medicine, and a Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors. In 2016, he was a Fortune Businessperson of the Year (No. 14). Three successive presidents of the United States have consulted him on healthcare issues.

 

Ellen Rudolph

Having joined Cleveland Clinic in 2019, Ellen Rudolph is the Art Program Curator and Senior Director. She leads the Art Program in its mission to create meaningful interactions with contemporary art throughout the Enterprise. She led the art installation at Cleveland Clinic London and commissioned artists Jacolby Satterwhite and Sandra Cinto for site-specific projects in Cleveland and Florida. She also led a collaboration with the Cleveland Museum of Art in celebration of Cleveland Clinic’s Centennial, which culminated in an exhibition of paintings by Derrick Adams at CMA.

Prior to joining Cleveland Clinic, Rudolph was Chief Curator at the Akron Art Museum, where she led an ambitious exhibition program and drove notable acquisitions, including works by Mickalene Thomas, Nick Cave, Yinka Shonibare and Jenny Holzer among others. Rudolph has served as Executive Director of the Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage and also worked at Progressive Corporation and Sotheby’s New York. She has Art History degrees from Northwestern University (BA) and Case Western Reserve University (MA).

Getting into the UK

U.S. citizens need only a valid passport with a 6 months remaining validity, not a visa to enter the United Kingdom. If you do not have a passport or need to renew yours, applications are available at larger branches of the US Post Office or from passport agencies located in major cities.  If you have any questions about obtaining a passport, call your local Post Office or the passport information number listed under “State Department” in the US Government section at the front of your phone book.  For safety allow at least 10-12 weeks for your passport to be issued or renewed.

Getting into Abu Dhabi

U.S. citizens need only a valid passport with a 6 months remaining validity, and a visa to enter Abu Dhabi. If you do not have a passport or need to renew yours, applications are available at larger branches of the US Post Office or from passport agencies located in major cities.

COVID-19

US Government COVID-19 advice for entering the UK can be accessed: here. US Government COVID-19 advice for entering Abu Dhabi can be accessed: here.

Staying Healthy

If you have a pre-existing condition then you should bring your medications in their original, clearly labeled, containers. It is also a good idea to have a letter from your physician describing your medical conditions and medications, including generic names. For general emergencies and ambulance service in the UK, call 999. For general emergencies and ambulance service in Abu Dhabi, call 999 for Police, 998 for Ambulance and 997 for the Fire Department.  

Time Zone

During our trip, the UK will be 5 hours ahead of Cleveland and Abu Dhabi will be 8 hours ahead.

Money

The currency in Britain is the pound sterling (£). Paper money (‘notes’) comes in £5, £10, £20 and £50 denominations. Some shops don’t accept £50 notes because fakes circulate. The local currency is the UAE dirham (AED or Dhs), which is divided into 100 fils and is pegged against the US $ (US $ 1: AED 3.6725).

ATMs

Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) are the cheapest and most convenient way to get money. ATMs connected to international networks are situated in all cities and towns and usually offer the best exchange rate.

Credit Cards

Most major international cards are recognized, and you will find that most hotels, restaurants and major stores accept them. But always check first to avoid disappointment.

Cash

You always get a better exchange rate in-country, but it is a good idea to arrive in the UK with enough GBP/ EUR to (at least) buy a coffee for example. Don’t travel with too much money though as it just isn’t necessary. There is an ATM in the airport, just ask your driver to point it out to you, otherwise there are many within the immediate vicinity of the hotels in London and Abu Dhabi.

Tipping

Tipping will be taken care of for you throughout the trip where we are together. So, the only time you will need to think about tipping is when having a drink or meal on your own.

Telephones

To make an international call you will need to dial 00 then the country code (1 for the US) then the number you require. The dialing code for the UK is +44. The dialing code for Abu Dhabi is +971-2. Please check with your cell phone provider what your data deal is before leaving, it is not unusual to find yourself with a rather large data cost when using your smartphone. Roaming is expensive but there are deals available with your provider that should lessen the impact.

Weather

May is a very pleasant time to visit London, UK, when the weather is mild and the flowers are blooming. At this time of year, the average temperature for the month is 65°F (18°C), considerably warmer than any of the previous months. The weather in Abu Dhabi in May is hot. At this time of year, the average temperature is about 95°F (25°C). However, is it a dry heat and very pleasant.

What to Pack

As we will be doing a lot of walking during the day, your daily dress should have comfort in mind and be in keeping with variable temperatures.  Footwear is of the utmost importance and good rubber-soled flat shoes for the daytime are highly recommended.
Just before the trip, you will receive a list of suggested dress codes for each evening by email.