From the Dean’s Desk | We’ve Built a Strong Tradition of Embracing Medical Humanities

Over the past 20 years, the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine has built a strong tradition of embracing humanities in medical education. Central to this effort is Stethos, our annual student-run medical humanities journal, now in its 14^th year, that features prose, poetry and photography from across the CCLCM and Cleveland Clinic communities. I’m excited to share that the 2024 edition of Stethos is now available online.

This year’s edition of Stethos features work from students, faculty and caregivers that reflects on the concept of transition. From photographs that highlight the ephemerality of nature to poems and narratives that tell personal stories of change, every one of this year’s contributions exudes the empathy that we value so highly as an institution. These pieces challenge us to look beyond the clinical and into the soul of patient care.

I encourage you to take a few minutes to admire the immense creative talent and diverse perspectives shared by our peers and colleagues. If you would like to contribute to the 2025 edition of Stethos, you can submit your work using this form. Submissions are due by March 29. Any questions should be directed to cclcmhumanities@gmail.com.

Professional staff may also wish to apply for the 2025-2027 John P. Murphy Fellowship in Medical Humanities. The two selected fellows will develop skills in medical humanities education through research, program development and symposium planning. Fellows will receive 20% salary support as well as access to additional funding opportunities. To apply, submit a two-page project proposal, updated CV, letter of interest and letter of support from your department chair to Katherine Burke, MFA, at burek@ccf.org by Feb. 1.

As I wrote in my introduction to this year’s edition of Stethos, we are proud of the growth and prominence of the humanities within our curriculum. What began as a complementary component of medical education has now become a cornerstone of our approach to training future physicians. The humanities enrich our understanding, foster resilience and enhance our ability to provide compassionate care. May we all continue to embrace our creative sides in 2025.

Bud Isaacson, MD

Executive Dean