Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine Celebrates 20-Year Anniversary

Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine, an innovative medical school program with a mission to train physician investigators, is celebrating its 20th anniversary this month.

Since the first class enrolled in 2004, the unique five-year medical school has granted more than 500 medical degrees. A $100 million gift from Al and Norma Lerner in 2002 established the college, a distinct program within Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. Mr. Lerner passed away later that same year.

In 2008, Lerner College of Medicine became the first tuition-free medical school in the country. All 32 students in each class are awarded full-tuition scholarships, an investment made by Cleveland Clinic. More than 300 students have benefited from the free tuition program.

Lerner College of Medicine integrates patient care experiences, beginning in year one, with basic science and research. The curriculum emphasizes problem-based learning and a competency-based system of assessment, with no grades or class rankings. Upon completion of the five-year program, students graduate with an M.D. degree with Special Qualification in Biomedical Research.

Lerner College of Medicine’s novel curriculum includes a focus on medical humanities and incorporates social and cultural factors such as social determinants of health, climate change impacts on health, and diversity, equity and inclusion. This approach aims to cultivate skilled physician investigators who are equipped to promote health equity.

“From the beginning, Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine has been different by design,” said James K. Stoller, M.D., Chair of Cleveland Clinic’s Education Institute. “Our unique program has set new standards for the training of physician investigators. Our approach fosters critical thinking, self-directed learning and individual knowledge – the skills that ensure future success as physician investigators.”

Over the course of two decades, the college has continuously evolved. Since 2019, students from both Lerner College of Medicine and CWRU School of Medicine, along with CWRU nursing, physician assistant, and dental medicine students, share the same learning environment. The Health Education Campus of CWRU and Cleveland Clinic, which includes the Sheila and Eric Samson Pavilion, was designed specifically to allow these groups of future medical professionals to learn, study and collaborate together on the 11-acre campus.

“Since we welcomed our inaugural class 20 years ago, we’ve been committed to attracting students from a wide variety of backgrounds to influence the future of medical care and scientific understanding,” said J. Harry Isaacson, M.D., Executive Dean, Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine. “We take immense pride that our more than 500 graduates have thrived in this distinctive academic environment and depart with the expertise to provide exceptional clinical care, advance research and advocate for health equity within their communities.”