Mahogany and Mirrors

The Cleveland Clinic is like a city inside Cleveland. The Cleveland Clinic Police headquarters are located across from our hotel. The hospital spans an area of 6 city blocks by 3 blocks. There are several sites under construction as the facility expands. To say the organization is impressive is an understatement.

A shuttle bus took us to the International Patient Center to check in and receive my itinerary. The lobby of the International Patient Access Center immediately bestows a feeling of trust and confidence upon the patient. The polished marble floor reflected our images. Mahogany-clad walls with mantles, mirrors and showcases interspersed, displayed various gifts from patients: Ming Vases, Fabergé eggs and the like. It was a little intimidating.

My Registration Agent started the process inside her spacious office. I was asked to verify the info: My name: check. Address: oops, that wasn't me. Birthdate: oops, again. Email address: mine. The Agent made the corrections to the info then introduced me to my Financial Agent. They had all the correct info on me in this office. Next, I met Marina, my Concièrge. She escorted us to the first appointment and arranged a driver for the following day.

The day before, Roni presented me with a gift of Kick-it-up-a-Notch socks. Regular readers know well the Summers' obsession with Kick-Ass footwear and accessories. Refer also to:Kicking II . I had chosen a kind of Pippi Longstocking look for the day.

Back in the hotel, after the set of investigations, I contacted my Patient Coordinator to clarify my schedule for the next day. I also had to return calls to some of the staff who'd been trying to reach me in Ontario over the past 4 hours.

The Cleveland Clinic: It's technologically advanced. It's a world leader. The Ambassadors in the hallways greet each passerby with a cheerful "Good morning" reminiscent of the Monty Python bit. The atmosphere exudes Excellence, with capital E. Behind the mahogany, under the Ming vases, after the Diplomat patient-base has gone home, it's just like other outfits: misplaced data and records, communication barriers and conflict from the blends of formal and informal groups. It's not smoke and mirrors, it's mahogany and mirrors. It's actually kind of comforting, you know?

Having our own driver is a nice touch,too.

[Cleveland Clinic]   [Good Morning]