CCLCM Welcomes New Surgical Clerkship Director

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Robert Simon, MD

As the new surgical clerkship director for CCLCM, Robert Simon, MD, is eager to ensure the students have a fulfilling experience and hopes to make the rotations through general surgery as individualized as possible.

“I want to be approachable and help the students get what they want out of their clerkship rotations,” says Dr. Simon, who begins his role on April 1.

During the medical students’ third year, they rotate through various clinical specialties, the goals of which are help them round out their clinical training and determine their career path forward. The surgical clerkship director oversees the students’ rotations through general surgery, one of the core rotations.

“All third-year students rotate through surgery,” says Dr. Simon, who is also an Assistant Professor of Surgery. “Even if they know they don’t wish to pursue general surgery, they can still have a valuable learning experience that they can apply to their future career.”

As director, Dr. Simon will help the students navigate their rotation, advise them and help resolve any issues that might arise. He will also ensure that the students meet the right people, particularly if they need a letter of recommendation for residency training.

Dr. Simon’s experience teaching medical students began when he was a fellow at Cleveland Clinic. He taught the third-year students who were rotating through general surgery and led some Friday morning reports with them. He also led education in the OR and teaching on rounds, noting that he strived to make the rotation relevant to them no matter which specialty they were considering as a career.

“I’m excited to take on this new leadership position, get to know the students better, listen to them and see how we might make the program better yet,” he says.

The surgical clerkship has been under the direction of Steven Rosenblatt, MD, Assistant Professor of Surgery, who has served in the role for five years.

Craig Nielsen, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine and Assistant Dean for Clinical Education, says, “The role of clerkship director can be challenging and time consuming. I am very appreciative of all Dr. Rosenblatt’s efforts over these last five years.”

Please join us in sincerely thanking Dr. Rosenblatt for his outstanding service as the surgical clerkship director and in welcoming Dr. Simon to the role.