Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi has appointed Engr. Arwa Alyafei as Executive Director, Clinical Engineering, strengthening its leadership team as the hospital continues to expand its advanced healthcare and medical technology capabilities in the UAE.
A seasoned biomedical engineering leader, Alyafei brings nearly two decades of experience across large public and private healthcare institutions, with deep expertise in clinical engineering operations, healthcare technology management, and regulatory compliance.
Two decades of healthcare engineering leadership
Prior to joining Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Alyafei spent over 17 years with Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City (SSMC) and its group entities, where she held multiple senior leadership roles including Director and Biomedical Engineering Director. During her tenure, she led large-scale biomedical engineering functions, oversaw complex hospital infrastructure projects, and supported clinical commissioning across diverse specialties.
Her earlier career also includes a long stint at Mafraq Hospital, where she served as Senior Biomedical Engineer, contributing to medical device lifecycle management and quality assurance initiatives.
Driving clinical engineering excellence
In her new role, Alyafei will be responsible for overseeing clinical engineering strategy, medical technology governance, equipment lifecycle management, and alignment with international healthcare quality and safety standards at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi.
She is expected to play a key role in supporting the hospital’s digital health ambitions, operational efficiency, and patient safety outcomes, as Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi continues to position itself as a regional leader in complex and specialised care.
Strong academic and professional credentials
Alyafei holds a Master’s degree in Engineering Management from the University of Wollongong in Dubai and a Bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Engineering. She is also a Project Management Professional (PMP) and holds ISO-related certifications. Fluent in Arabic and English, she brings both technical depth and leadership capability to the role.
Her appointment reflects Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi’s continued focus on strengthening clinical and operational leadership amid rising demand for high-acuity healthcare services in the region.
