Cleveland Clinic has built a global reputation over 105 years. Now, it is exporting that expertise through a consultative program — without acquiring a single hospital. Cleveland Clinic Connected offers partner institutions access to world-class clinical and operational knowledge. Crucially, ownership, governance, and patient care stay firmly in local hands.
What Is Cleveland Clinic Connected?
Cleveland Clinic Connected is a long-term advisory program. It gives member hospitals a structured, collaborative relationship with one of the world’s leading health systems. The program delivers advisory services, clinical service line assessments, educational and training programs, and strategic guidance.
Moreover, the program serves both domestic and international hospitals. Cleveland Clinic draws on its decades of experience operating facilities across North America, Europe, and the Middle East. Joe Sweet, Senior Director of International and Emerging Markets, describes the approach directly: “We’re that at-the-elbow mentor to guide them and share lessons learned over Cleveland Clinic’s 105 years of operation.”
Importantly, this is not a branding arrangement. It is also not a management agreement. Instead, Cleveland Clinic Connected works as a deep, selective partnership — one that prioritizes quality over quantity.
How the Advisory Model Works
Advisory Services Without Management Control
Member hospitals retain full command of their operations. Cleveland Clinic does not manage member facilities. It does not employ their physicians or assume governance roles. Additionally, the member’s brand and identity remain intact throughout the relationship.
Dr. Emad Estemalik, MD, MBA, a Medical Director for Cleveland Clinic Connected, explains the philosophy clearly: “It’s really about cultural integration rather than imposing our own culture on our members.”
Furthermore, service delivery follows a hybrid model. Teams combine virtual collaboration with in-person engagement. This flexible approach allows Cleveland Clinic to serve members across multiple time zones and geographies without disruption.
Minimum Commitment Period
Each membership runs for a minimum of five years. This duration allows time to build meaningful relationships. It also creates the space needed to implement lasting improvements. Short-term engagements simply cannot achieve the depth that Cleveland Clinic Connected aims for.
Who Can Join the Program?
Cleveland Clinic evaluates potential members against a clear set of criteria. These include:
- Mission alignment — The institution must share Cleveland Clinic’s core values
- Geopolitical stability — The member’s market must be stable enough to sustain a long-term relationship
- Economic conditions — Both the institution and its regional economy must be viable
- Mutual benefit — Cleveland Clinic must be able to provide meaningful value to the member
Additionally, Sweet emphasizes selectivity. “We provide much deeper connections and advisory support with a select few rather than spreading ourselves too thin,” he notes. This focused approach distinguishes Cleveland Clinic Connected from other American healthcare organizations that offer similar consultation services.
Current Members and Their Goals
A Growing but Selective Network
Currently, Cleveland Clinic Connected includes six international members and three in the United States. The program continues to expand, though always with care. Two notable additions joined in 2025.
Radiochirurgia Zagreb, Croatia
Croatia’s Radiochirurgia Zagreb hospital joined the program in 2025. Its goal is to strengthen its position as a leader in oncology care across southern and eastern Europe. Cleveland Clinic’s expertise in clinical service line development directly supports this ambition.
Central Asian University, Uzbekistan
Central Asian University in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, also joined in 2025. However, its needs differ significantly. The university plans to build an entirely new hospital on its expanded medical campus. Cleveland Clinic will therefore provide guidance across multiple domains — facility design, medical education, residency program development, nursing school establishment, physician recruitment, supply chain management, and digital transformation.
These two examples illustrate the program’s versatility. Some members refine existing operations. Others build from scratch.
Why This Model Stands Apart
Most health system partnerships fall into predictable categories. Mergers, acquisitions, and management contracts all involve some transfer of control. Cleveland Clinic Connected deliberately avoids this. Instead, it functions as a collaborative resource — always accessible, never dominant.
This approach benefits both sides. Member hospitals gain expertise without losing autonomy. Cleveland Clinic, in turn, extends its clinical influence and builds relationships in regions where it may expand further in the future. Consequently, the program serves as both a knowledge-sharing initiative and a long-term strategic investment.
The Road Ahead for Global Healthcare
Cleveland Clinic Connected reflects a broader shift in how top health systems think about global growth. Direct ownership carries risk — regulatory, political, and financial. Advisory partnerships, by contrast, create value with far less exposure.
Therefore, this model is likely to attract growing interest from hospitals worldwide. Access to proven expertise, educational resources, and strategic guidance can meaningfully improve patient outcomes — without surrendering institutional identity. Cleveland Clinic Connected demonstrates that sharing knowledge, not acquiring assets, can be the most powerful form of healthcare leadership.
