From the Dean’s Desk | A Note of Appreciation

As 2021 comes to a close, I would like to express my sincere gratitude for the Lerner College of Medicine family: faculty, administrative team, students and donors.

Our faculty, which includes instructors, curriculum leaders, physician advisors, PBL facilitators and longitudinal preceptors, have demonstrated more flexibility and innovative thinking – hallmarks of CCLCM – than ever before because of the demands and uncertainties brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. They’ve shown great nimbleness pivoting to and from remote teaching, and, amidst all the upheaval, their passion for igniting their learners’ curiosity never wavered.

Likewise, our 160 students showed exceptional adaptability during the pivot to remote learning. Throughout it all, they stayed curious and engaged, and when we returned to in-person learning, their enthusiasm for being together was palpable. They returned to the Health Education campus reinvigorated and keen to participate in hands-on learning activities such as simulations, patient encounters, anatomy lab and much more.

An immense amount of work goes on behind the scenes every day to ensure CCLCM is operating properly, and this is where the administrative team comes in. From scheduling student rotations and managing student/faculty computers to coordinating milestone activities, such as Capstone, Match Day and graduation, and reviewing assessments and evaluations, our team of caregivers works tirelessly and without fanfare. They deserve a heartfelt round of applause for their dedication to keeping the program running smoothly.

Finally, our program would not be as robust as it is without the encouragement and support of our donors. Gifts large and small are crucial to defraying the cost of tuition so that our students have the freedom to train in the medical specialties of their choice — and those in which the community need is greatest — versus those that offer the largest financial reward. Donor support also contributes to, among other things, our strong medical humanities program, the goal of which is to instill in students a lasting sense of empathy and compassion for fellow humans.

Since CCLCM was founded in 2002, it has been our mission to train physician investigators committed to advancing biomedical research and clinical practice. The individual contributions of many collectively impact the success of CCLCM and our mission. To our faculty, administrative team and donors, thank you for the resources you invest every day in helping to develop confident, skilled physician investigators. To our students, thank you for putting your faith in us and for the time and effort you invest every day in your medical education journey.

May your holidays be everything you hope for, and may your 2022 be filled with happiness and good health.

Bud Isaacson, MD
Executive Dean