Medical Education News - All MD Student Edition

Tuesday February 3, 2026
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1. Message from Vice Dean Logio
2. Notices
3. Student Affairs & Wellbeing
4. Financial Aid
5. Research
6. Health Sciences Library
7. Events & Opportunities

Holy Moly! It’s been cold and VERY snowy so far in 2026. I hope you are all keeping warm and safe. I know it’s been an extra stressor so give yourself some grace. It’s already February…which means March and April come next. The big thaw will come.

I have two things to share with all of you today. First is a lesson in kindness. George Saunders is a literature professor at Syracuse; he’s also a published author (Lincoln in the Bardo is probably his most famous book). He gave a commencement talk which highlights how important kindness is….for all of us. With dark cold days, it’s easy to get grumpy (I know I do), so I’m sharing his speech with you.

In other news, a recent podcast in Nature shared some scientific evidence for something I always guessed was true – now it’s a fact. We know medical school is hard work…but the rewards are worth it!

“From ants to humans, individuals prefer rewards that have been harder to achieve,” note the authors of a new study that follows up on evidence that the key is the release of the neurotransmitter dopamine in the brain.” Here’s the Nature Podcast. 

Keep in touch!

LL

M1/M2: Inclement Weather Reminder

When the university closes due to inclement weather, classes may be moved to a remote platform. Students should monitor email and Elentra for specific course updates and instructions. If sessions proceed remotely, Zoom links will be available within Elentra.

If a student is unable to participate due to weather-related circumstances, the standard attendance policy applies and an absence request must be submitted. Students are encouraged to prioritize their safety during severe weather conditions.

If you have any questions, please contact SOMCurriculum@case.edu.

Student Policies

A friendly reminder that The Office of Medical Education has created a centralized Policy Folder in Box that houses all current, approved student policies for easy reference. This folder is intended to serve as the primary source for information regarding academic, clinical, and administrative policies that apply to medical students. We encourage all students to review the contents regularly, as policies may be updated periodically.

SAVE THE DATE - Upcoming Mandatory Class Meetings

M1 Class Meeting: Monday, February 16, 2026, from Noon-1pm 
Topic: Welcome to Block 4 + MedEd Announcements & Updates
IN-PERSON: HEC 176 (Lecture Hall) 
Food provided after the meeting 

M2 Class Meeting: Wednesday, February 11, 2026, from Noon-1pm
Topic: Building Your Team & Planning for M3 Elective Rotations 
IN-PERSON: HEC 176 (Lecture Hall) 
Food provided after the meeting 

RTA Passes

Still need your RTA pass? Come by the Office of Student Affairs on the first floor to pick up your pass. We're available Monday-Friday between 9:00AM and 5:00PM; if you aren't able to make it to our office during those hours, please email societydeans@case.edu so that we can make alternate arrangements. Thanks!

New Session Added! Non-Clinical Career Series

A new session has been added to the Office of Student Affairs' Non-Clinical Career Series! The goal of this series is to help you explore the variety of non-clinical careers available to you. Learn more and sign up for the new session.

Wellbeing Wednesdays

Check out the Wellbeing Wednesday activities for February.

Want to get involved with promoting engagement and wellbeing?  Email  SOM-Wellbeing@case.edu to join the Office of Student Affairs - Student Engagement and Wellbeing student committees.

Follow us on Instagram @cwru_medwellbeing.

Thank you!

Thank you to our wonderful students and student groups (especially the coordinating work of the Student Wellbeing Committee and CSE3G), Jenn, Bethany, Dawn, and Drs. Lambrese and Yepes-Rios for a thrilling 2026 Cultural and Wellbeing Week. Please enjoy the pictures from the events.

AAMC FIRST Webinar

Watch the AAMC FIRST webinar, “Federal Student Loans and Repayment Plans: Key Updates Amid Ongoing Policy Changes.” Learn about recent changes to loan programs, borrowing limits, and repayment options.

Financial Wellness Tip 

Pay more than the minimum balance on your credit card to prevent the side effect of interest. —MD Student, Class of 2029. Access the AAMC Cutting Credit Card Interest and Fees resource here.

For more financial aid assistance, the SOM Office of Financial Aid can be reached directly at medfinancialaid@case.edu, 216.368.3666, or by visiting our office in the HEC, Suite 111.

M3/M4: Mount Sinai Otolaryngology Research Fellowship 2026-2027

Third- and fourth-year med students interested in otolaryngology or academic medicine are encouraged to apply for the 2026-2027 Mount Sinai Department of Otolaryngology Research Fellowship. This is a funded, year-long opportunity where participants will gain hands-on research experience, mentorship from faculty, and exposure to both clinical and academic aspects of the field. Applications are due on February 6th. Learn more through the application materials here.

2026 Kaiser-Goldberg Research Fellowship

The Endocrine Society is accepting applications for the 2026 Kaiser-Goldberg Research Fellowship. Designed to support students interested in neuroendocrine and/or reproductive endocrine research, this 10-12 week summer program offers the opportunity to work in an Endocrine Society member’s lab. The application deadline is February 27, 2026. Learn more and apply here: Kaiser-Goldberg Research Fellowship.

Lunch & Learn with a Librarian: Navigating Primo - CWRU's New Library Search Platform 

Date: Wed, February 11, 2026 
Time: 12:30 - 1:00 PM 

Join us during your lunch break to explore CWRU's new library search platform, Primo!  Primo allows you to easily search the library's resources, including journal articles, books, eBooks and more in one location. Register here.

DEADLINE - Call for Nominations: 2026 Tom Mettee, MD Foundations of Clinical Medicine Award for exceptional contributions in teaching and mentoring

Applications are due no later than Friday, February 6, 2026 at 11:59 PM.

Over the past 12 years, the School of Medicine has six times given The Tom Mettee, MD Foundations of Clinical Medicine Award for exceptional contributions in teaching and mentoring to a physician that we have felt deserving of this to honor Dr. Tom Mettee. It is a biennial award that involves a committee of faculty, students, and staff to review individuals recommended for consideration typically presented at the Annual Education Retreat for Medical Education.

Nominees must be CWRU faculty clinicians who work with Case Medical Students in outpatient clinical setting(s) in the pre-clerkship years, and who demonstrate exceptional contributions in teaching and mentoring as exemplified by Dr. Mettee. Students, faculty, and staff may submit nominations. The selection committee will include a minimum of two students and two non-nominated faculty. Review the award criteria in the application.

PLEASE NOTE - only applications from CWRU program Classes of 2026, 2027, 2028 + MSTP Students will be considered.

Climate and Health Education Collaborative

Learn about current climate and health research in Cleveland and beyond! More info here.

RSVP Today

Poverty Simulation

A poverty simulation event will be held at the HEC to build awareness, empathy, and deeper understanding of the systemic challenges associated with poverty in Cleveland.

UH Health Services Research Speaker Series

The Distinguished Speaker Series features an internationally renowned expert to share perspectives on major themes in health services research, population and public health, and leadership influencing health and healthcare in the United States and worldwide. Register today.

February 3, 2026 | 11:00 am - 12:00 pm

Dr. Barnato is internationally recognized for her work on understanding the causes and consequences of variation in end-of-life intensive care unit and life-sustaining treatment use among seriously ill older adults. She oversees the Dartmouth Atlas of Health Care and is leading the development of the Dartmouth Health Equity Atlas. She established and directed the Clinical Scientist Training Program at the University of Pittsburgh and founded the Dartmouth Health Equity Research Pathways Program at Dartmouth. She has previously served as Vice President of the Society for Medical Decision Making and as a 2024 - 2025 Fellow of the Ivy+ Faculty Advancement Network. 

The Health Services Research Grand Rounds features an extramural-funded health services researcher from University Hospitals and across the United States to share scholarly insights on cutting-edge research. Register today.

February 17, 2026 | 11:00 am - 12:00 pm

Dr. Litt is an NIH-funded investigator focused on pathways through which chronic health problems impact behavioral development and functional outcomes among infants born preterm. His research leverages health services research and improvement science approaches to develop innovative models of post-discharge care for high-risk infant follow-up. 

Register for all speakers at UHhospitals.org/HSRCSpeakerSeries

PRIDE in Practice 2026

This CE-certified, live symposium is designed to review best practices that highlight the latest therapies, procedures, and diagnostics for the LGBTQ+ patient. The LGBTQ+ population represents a diverse group of individuals with unique healthcare needs that often go unmet due to barriers in accessing care, the knowledge of providers in the assessment of health risk and guideline-based care. Despite growing awareness of differing health outcomes, LGBTQ+ patients continue to face barriers to accessing affirming, high-quality healthcare. This symposium seeks to identify systemic challenges and opportunities for improvement to ensure safe, effective, evidence-based healthcare for LGBTQ+ individuals.

We Love our Future Alumni Event!

The Health Sciences Alumni Relations Teams invite all students to join them for hot cocoa and cookies on Wednesday, February 18, 2026 from 11:30am to 1:00pm, Samson Pavilion, 1st Floor. Learn more about the We Love our Future Alumni Event.

Medical Brigade Registration is Live!

Daniel Lewis Ravin Award

Academic Medicine Call for Cover Art

The AAMC peer-reviewed journal Academic Medicine is accepting submissions for theirCover Art feature until March 16.Accepted Cover Art will be published online in Academic Medicine starting in late 2026 and throughout 2027! Learn more about the requirements and submission process.

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