"Though healthcare is in the midst of a major transformation, Cleveland Clinic is very well positioned for the future," Dr. Tomislav Mihaljevic says in a statement about his appointment as the Clinic's new CEO. (Photo: Cleveland Clinic)

Known as "Tom" by colleagues and "Tommy" by friends, Mihaljevic currently serves as the CEO of the Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, a role he's held since September 2015.

Frequent flyer

For the past six years, he's traveled back and forth between the U.S. and the United Arab Emirates 60 times, as he balanced helping launch the Clinic's facility in Abu Dhabi with his work as a cardiac surgeon in Cleveland.

Home sweet Cleveland

"I've always considered Cleveland my home ever since I moved here," Mihaljevic said Friday during an interview with The Plain Dealer.

Over the next four months, Mihaljevic will split his time between Cleveland and Abu Dhabi as he transitions into his new role. He used to have a residence in Cleveland and plans to re-establish himself here. While it's "too early to tell" where he will live, he said it won't be "too far from the Clinic."

A sporting attitude

Mihaljevic is a sports fan and used to play basketball.

"Obviously, I am rooting for the Cavs. They are my team. I'm really looking forward to being here to follow them."

Father of two

Mihaljevic is the divorced father of twin 11-year-old daughters, who live in the United Kingdom with their mother. During his trips to and from the U.S. while working in Abu Dhabi, he frequently stopped in London to visit his daughters.

International roots

The incoming CEO was born in Croatia and is a naturalized American citizen. He earned his medical degree from the University of Zagreb's medical school in Croatia and completed his residency in cardiovascular surgery at the Clinic for Cardiovascular Surgery of the University of Zurich in Switzerland before coming to the United States. He speaks Croatian, English and German.

Source: http://www.cleveland.com/healthfit/index.ssf/2017/09/five_things_to_know_about_the_1.html

Formatted for CROWN by Marko Puljic
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