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SearchUnique tuition-free program cultivates physician investigators
Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine recently celebrated 20 years of training some of the world’s best physician investigators.
The innovative medical school program was the first in the nation to be tuition-free.
Since the first class enrolled in 2004, the five-year medical school has granted more than 500 medical degrees.
How it started
It all started with a vision for a different kind of medical school, fueled by a $100 million gift from Al and Norma Lerner, who in 2002, established the college as a distinct program within Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine.
The school does not give students grades or class rankings. The curriculum emphasizes patient care experiences, problem-based learning and competency-based assessment.
The program blends medical, social and cultural factors to cultivate physician investigators who promote health equity.
When they complete the program, students graduate with a Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree with special qualification in biomedical research.
Alums come together
Recently, current and former faculty and students and their families gathered to share memories and celebrate the progress of the school over the years.
J. Harry (Bud) Isaacson, MD, Professor of Medicine and Executive Dean, and Christine Warren, MD, MS (‘09), Associate Dean, Admissions and Student Affairs, CCLCM, hosted the event.
“We take immense pride that our graduates have thrived in this distinctive academic environment,” says Dr. Isaacson.
He says that students completing the program“provide exceptional clinical care, advance research and advocate for health equity within their communities.”
Where are they now? An alum shares her story
Renee Salas, MD, MPH (‘09), was a member of the inaugural CCLCM graduation class.
Today, she is a leading expert on climate change’s impact on health, and she was elected to the National Academy of Medicine for this work.
Dr. Salas also practices as an emergency medicine physician at Massachusetts General Hospital and is an affiliated faculty member at Harvard Medical School.
“Certain memories stick with you forever,” she says. “For me, our first day at the Lerner College of Medicine is one of those.”
“Walking through those doors was special. I remember a palpable sense of excitement among my classmates. We were pioneers, entrusted with helping to shape this new approach to medical education.”
Learn more about the Lerner College of Medicine
