Dr. Abelson will be completing his service and retiring from his long-time role as preceptor for the Art and Practice of Medicine course at the end of the academic year
After multiple years dedicated to serving as a preceptor for the Art and Practice of Medicine course and mentoring numerous students, Tom Abelson, MD, will be completing his service and retiring from that role at the end of this academic year. Dr. Abelson’s role at Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine actually began with the inauguration of CCLCM, and he has been a valuable part of the college since. Clinical Associate Professor Emeritus of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Dr. Abelson has served as the Regional Medical Director for the East Region, Medical Director of the Cleveland Clinic Beachwood Family Health and Surgery Center, facilitator for the Foundation of Clinical Medicine, preceptor for the Art and Practice of Medicine course, and he was, above all else, a supportive and kindhearted mentor and colleague. Cherished most for his compassion for his colleagues and students, Dr. Abelson will remain an unforgettable member of the CCLCM community.
“As the unofficial ‘dean’ of the Art and Practice of Medicine preceptors, Dr. Abelson has been an invaluable resource for other preceptors, showing them the ropes and sharing his wisdom and skills,” says Katherine Burke, Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine and Director of the CCLCM Program in Medical Humanities. “But most importantly, Dr. Abelson has always been a compassionate mentor for CCLCM students, giving generously of his time and mentorship.”
We invite you to learn more about Dr. Abelson through this short interview:
Tell us about yourself and your career.
I applied to Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine early decision for all the usual (and excellent) reasons. I did a rotation in otolaryngology while visiting Israel for a summer. Why ENT? Simply because the chairman spoke English! He demonstrated to me that otolaryngology could provide me with the most exciting, most varied and most challenging career I could imagine.
He was right. I took care of patients as young as 1 day to as old as 105. I did everything from complex head and neck surgery to microscopic ear and laryngeal surgery to facial reconstruction. I learned procedures in practice that I never imagined in training. I was able (before the days of subspecialty fellowships) to develop multiple areas of special interest including pediatric ENT, head and neck, and medical care of the professional voice. I was a non-academic private practitioner who taught his whole career and got his name on more than 25 papers! What a blast! You cannot plan all of that.
What sparked your interest in medical education?
My interest in medical education was sparked by exposure to outstanding teachers (of students, residents, colleagues and patients) who were inspirations and mentors.
What have you enjoyed most about being a preceptor for the Art and Practice of Medicine course?
When CCLCM was inaugurated, I knew what role I wanted to play. As a preceptor I had the opportunity to get to know one-quarter of each incoming class extremely well by spending two hours a week during the academic year with eight students for their first two years of medical school. I was given the opportunity to learn about the role of the humanities in medical education and to study and discuss medical ethics, healthcare systems and policies, and, most importantly, how to become a good physician. And much more.
What is one thing about your educator career that you’ll miss the most?
It is not a platitude or an exaggeration to say that I learned more from my students (and residents) than they learned from me.
As you reflect on your educator career, what’s one highlight you’d like to share?
I loved attending graduation three years after precepting each class and observing the students’ maturation, career choices and personal choices, and, most importantly, meeting their families.
What aspect of CCLCM have you enjoyed the most?
I have been reminded every year about the astounding way that bright students from fundamentally diverse backgrounds can use those backgrounds, educational opportunities, good decision-making and good luck to become amazing physicians. How? By making every opportunity a learning opportunity, with open eyes and curious brains.
