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For the 34 students in the graduating class of 2024, the celebration on May 18 offered them a chance to reflect on their many accomplishments over the last five years and look forward to the next step in their medical career journey.
In his address to the graduating class, Bud Isaacson, MD, Professor of Medicine and Executive Dean of the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University, spoke on the power and importance of authenticity. Practicing medicine in an authentic manner helps to build trust with patients and improves health outcomes. Authenticity also helps physicians maintain their own well-being, preventing burnout.
“Authenticity is not just a gift we give to our patients; it’s a gift we give to ourselves,” he said.
Dr. Isaacson shared the results of a 10-year follow up of the first CCLCM graduating class, demonstrating how we are achieving our mission of developing physician investigators. He also invited the students to return in July for the program’s 20th anniversary celebration.
Cleveland Clinic CEO and President Tom Mihaljevic, MD, Professor of Surgery, addressed the students via video. He noted that the class, which matriculated in 2019, was separated by the pandemic just a short time later. Yet, despite the interruption in their educational routine, they stepped up as a team to help those in need including community members, fellow students and Cleveland Clinic caregivers. As is his tradition, Dr. Mihaljevic closed by reminding the graduates that they will always have a job at Cleveland Clinic.
Emily Abramczyk and Philip Wang presented a thank-you book to Mrs. Norma Lerner and Dr. Mihaljevic for their long-standing support of the program and its students.
The alumni and class gift to the college, presented by Angela Wei, was a contribution to the Darlene Gray Student Life Emergency Fund in memory of Darlene, a CCLCM caregiver who passed away suddenly in 2021. The fund provides emergency financial support for CCLCM students.
Saloni Lad introduced the student video, a reflection on the students’ last five years. View the student video.
This year’s faculty speaker was Monica Yepes-Rios, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine, who recognized the students’ many accomplishments over the past five years and shared words of encouragement as they embark on this next step of their medical career.
Student speaker Samantha Stallkamp Tidd shared an amusing story about a dropped butternut squash ravioli to describe how everyone at CCLCM is treated like family.
Several faculty members were recognized with awards.
This once-in-a-lifetime honor recognizes the faculty members' exceptional contributions to student learning and professional development.
Kaiser-Permanente Excellence in Teaching Award: Richard Cartabuke, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine, and Michael Faulx, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine
These two awards are presented by each graduating class to the non-faculty and faculty members who most embody the ideals of CCLCM and demonstrate the highest level of commitment to students.
Established in 2010, this award recognizes exceptional contributions to student learning and professional development in research.
Excellence in Research Award: Abhishek Deshpande, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor of Medicine
Established in 2017 in memory of Elaine F. Dannefer, PhD, this award recognizes a faculty member who exemplifies and advances the ideals of mentoring and reflective practice at CCLCM.
Elaine F. Dannefer, PhD Award: Christine Moravec, PhD, Professor of Molecular Medicine, and Craig Nielsen, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine
The following graduating students participated in advanced training or earned a degree in addition to their degree that reads “Medical Doctor with Special Qualifications in Biomedical Research”:
Clinical Research Scholars Program (MS)
Bioethics (MA)
Derrick Obiri-Yeboah
Nutrition (MS)
James Sullivan
Public Health (MPH)
Samyukta Dore
Systems Biology & Bioinformatics (MS)
Medical Scientist Training Program (PhD)
Adam Lauko
Pathways Programs
On behalf of the entire Lerner College of Medicine, we congratulate the Class of 2024. We are deeply proud of you — individually and collectively. May your life and work always reflect the highest standards of Cleveland Clinic and the medical profession.
