Cleveland Clinic announces collaboration with medical group in China

Cleveland Clinic said it has formed a strategic collaboration with a medical group in China to bring value-based, patient-centered healthcare to Shanghai New Hong Qiao International Medical Center.

Through the collaboration, Luye Medical Group becomes the first member of Cleveland Clinic Connected, an international program that allows patients around the world to connect with Cleveland Clinic's best practices and technology. The goal is to improve patient care delivery in the United States and around the world, according to a news release.

"We are honored to work with the Luye Medical Group to bring the first Cleveland Clinic Connected hospital to the city of Shanghai," Dr. Tom Mihaljevic, CEO and president of Cleveland Clinic, said in a prepared statement. "Disease and illness know no boundaries or borders, through innovative approaches and teamwork we can work together to impact lives in the healthiest way possible."

Crain's Cleveland first reported on the Clinic's potential work in China last August, at which point the Clinic was tight-lipped about what that work would look like.

In recent years, the Clinic has both expanded its global reach and established affiliation models, bolstering its brand domestically and beyond. The $8 billion healthcare system has an expansive network stateside and has established facilities in Canada and the United Arab Emirates. Cleveland Clinic London is expected to open in late 2020.

Though Cleveland Clinic physicians and surgeons will not directly treat patients at Luye Medical, hospitals in the Cleveland Clinic Connected program can access best practices and protocols used by Cleveland Clinic experts at its locations worldwide. Patients in Shanghai will be able to access detailed health education materials from Cleveland Clinic experts on conditions and various treatment options, according to the release.

The hospital — owned and operated by Luye Medical Group, the regional healthcare services arm of Luye Life Science Group — can also connect patients with Cleveland Clinic specialists through distance health technologies to obtain second opinions without the time and expense of travel.

"The collaboration with Cleveland Clinic, one of the world-leading healthcare organizations, marks one of the key milestones for Luye Medical, which is also a strong testament to our commitment to China," Liu Dianbo, chairman of the board and president of Luye Life Sciences Group, said in a prepared statement. "With our shared vision, we will strive for delivering world-class healthcare innovation and expertise to have a profound impact on the well-being of local community. As the collaboration advances, we look forward to working closely with public hospitals and universities to drive innovation with 'hospital of the future' collaboration centers and deliver international-level clinical outcomes and value to patients locally and nationally."

The partnership marks a significant milestone for Luye Medical and Cleveland Clinic to "fulfill their long-term commitment in China," according to the release. The focus is on key specialty areas and meeting growing needs for disease treatment and healthcare in the Shanghai community.

Based on "Healthy China 2030," which made health an explicit national political priority, the Shanghai government released the "Healthy Shanghai 2030" blueprint, under which Shanghai will establish a cluster of clinical specialty groups to become a Science Technology Innovation Center with global influence by 2030, according to the news release.

"With strong government support, Shanghai New Hong Qiao International Medical Center is positioned to be the pilot zone for national and Shanghai medical reform," Jie Yang, chairman of Shanghai New Hong Qiao International Medical Center Construction Development Co. Ltd., said in a prepared statement. "The collaboration between Luye Medical and Cleveland Clinic is expected to pave the way in developing a premium innovation healthcare hub and a high-end medical service platform based in Shanghai that can extend to the Yangtze River Delta, and service the whole country."

"Cleveland Clinic announces collaboration with medical group in China" originally appeared in Crain's Cleveland Business.