JEDDAH, 26 February 2004 — Dr. Floyd Loop, CEO of the Cleveland Clinic Foundation (CCF) and chairman of its Board of Governors, has stressed the importance of world class service and the transfer of knowledge in health care.
He was speaking at the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce & Industry late on Tuesday night. Those attending the event included JCCI officials and a number of physicians and businessmen.
Before Dr. Loop’s speech, JCCI Chairman Dr. Adel Fakieh said: “We believe that the best way to serve the business community is to enhance knowledge by bringing information and know-how about the latest and best practices to the community at large so that people will be able to develop competitiveness and ability to deliver world class service. In the present case, we are capitalizing on Dr. Loop’s visit in order to learn from his experiences and expertise.”
Dr. Walid Fitaihi, CEO of the International Medical Center (IMC) which will open in mid-2005, said: “We are fortunate to have an affiliation with the Cleveland Clinic and it is the first time a foreign hospital has equity in a hospital in the Kingdom. We are equally fortunate to have Dr. Loop as a board member. The CCF will assist us in policy procedures, know-how, training and other areas.”
When asked about cost, he said: “Cost is not an issue. It does not change anything related to the quality of care.”
Speaking about employing Saudis, Dr. Fitaihi said: “We are still working on this. We will employ highly trained physicians and nurses which is the most important thing. There will be a staff of about 300 at the hospital’s opening and the target is 750, most probably by the third or fourth year. We have educational and training programs within the facility. These are continuing education programs for physicians and nurses. We also hope to have joint education programs with the CCF through telemedicine, e-health and other joint programs.”
Dr. Fakieh explained that the IMC-CCF affiliation was a result of the Kingdom’s open investment policy. “You need an open environment, the right context and entrepreneurs and businesspeople to capitalize on the openness and begin such initiatives,” he said.
Dr. Loop described the IMC as the most modern hospital in the Kingdom and a “fabulous facility.” He said he was honored to be part of the IMC and that in the future, he would often travel to Jeddah.
About the IMC hospital building, whose architect is Dr. Sami Angawi, Dr. Loop said: “It is beautiful, functional, with attention to detail, service and quality.”
He said the mission of the CCF was to be an ideal framework. Its singular purpose is to benefit humanity through the efficient, effective and ethical practice of medicine, by advancing scientific investigation and medical education, by maintaining the highest standards of quality, and by honoring creativity and innovation.
Dr. Loop said that he realized that a hospital had to make profit if it was to deliver quality health care, profitability with principles but without bureaucracy. “What is needed is scholarship, leadership, courage and faith. Your conscience should be your religion,” he added.
Dr. Loop observed that service, people, quality, growth, finance and innovation give high returns. There should be no fear of failure, only fear of lack of service. “In order to accomplish, you must persist and never give up. Don’t worry about competition. Compete with yourself.”
Last year the Cleveland Clinic made a profit of $130 million, the largest in its history. “But of the $130 million, nearly half — $62 million — is for research,” Dr. Loop pointed out.
CCF has now established e-Cleveland Clinic, which is a web-based extension of its 80 years of experience. By 2008, it will have a new heart center, the largest project in the history of the clinic. “Great physicians and great scientists make great hospitals,” he said.
