December 19, 2022/Lerner College of Medicine

From the Dean’s Desk | We Have Much to Celebrate

J. Harry Isaacson, MD

As 2022 comes to a close, I am grateful for the many achievements and good fortune we have realized over the past year. We have much to celebrate at the Lerner College of Medicine.

Perhaps most noteworthy is our ability to maintain in-person learning throughout the year, after having pivoted to remote learning when the pandemic began. Much of the medical education we offer requires hands-on learning such as simulation activities, anatomy lab and patient encounters, and the social aspects of learning together, side by side, cannot be overstated.

In March of 2022, the 14th graduating class experienced excellent match results. Cumulatively, 52% of all our graduates matched to the nation’s top hospitals (present and historic), according to U.S. News & World Report. More important, the majority of our students, both this year and historically, matched to their number one choice. Students have a variety of reasons for choosing where they wish to train, and matching to their number one choice, all rankings aside, is a tremendous achievement.

This year, two of our 33 graduates chose to train at Cleveland Clinic. Cumulatively, 85, or 17%, of our graduates have trained or are currently training here. At each graduation celebration, Cleveland Clinic leadership promises our graduates a job at Cleveland Clinic after residency. I’m delighted to share that cumulatively 22 of our alumni have taken up this offer and are currently on staff.

With important input from students, our faculty and leadership work hard to develop a meaningful curriculum, and we are grateful to our many donors who recognize the quality medical education that we provide. In 2022, we received $1 million from the John P. Murphy Foundation for expansion of our Medical Humanities Program and $.16 million in gifts to support scholarships; diversity, equity and inclusion; and professionalism in medicine. The encouragement and support that we receive from our donors remind us that we are on the right track.

To the entire CCLCM family — faculty, administrative team, students and donors — thank you for all your contributions this past year and every year. May you have a chance during the winter holidays to relax and recharge, and may your New Year be filled with much happiness and good health.

Bud Isaacson, MD
Executive Dean

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