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2. Reminders
3. Curriculum
4. Student Affairs & Wellbeing
5. Financial Aid
6. Research
7. Health Sciences Library
8. Opportunities & Events
9. Staff Spotlight

It’s December! Hard to believe we are rolling right into Block 3 and Block 6….and past the halfway point for clinical years! Thanks to all of you for actively participating in the recent listening sessions. I have a few updates about what we’re working on.

 

• M1s: The recent communication about the Histopath lecture requirement at the last minute was a mistake on our part. We are committed to communicating required attendace as far in advance as possible One limitation of Elentra, our learning management system, is that “required” and “optional” are the only tags and apply only to attendance options. Elentra essentially designates when attendance will be recorded. Regardless of the attendance requirements, the material covered is always required as part of our core curriculum.
• The Block 7:Structure team is hard at work to provide information in advance of sessions. Please note that not all videos and PowerPoints are meant to match. The videos are remnants of COVID times and serve as supplemental study materials.
• If there are undergraduates using rooms above the first floor or being disruptive, please let the security officer on duty know immediately. They can only remedy the situation in the moment. After the fact, there is no information on who was there.
• Pool sticks: Two new sticks have been placed out for use. Replacement parts are ordered and once they arrive, there will be four sticks available and two in reserve.
• Ping pong paddles: A brand-new set of four paddles have been placed out. Ping pong paddles are typically replaced every 3–4 months; CBRE will continue to monitor wear and tear to replenish as needed.
• A reminder that anyone can submit a concern or request to the HEC facilities at hecfacilitiessupport@case.edu.
• M3s and M4s: UH is investigating the major issues with Lot #119. More to follow when I hear back from them.
• Other issues brought forward have been handed off to the relevant leaders for each issue.

Keep in touch. You know where to find me. LL

Inclement Weather Reminder

As we approach the cold weather season, please be aware of how inclement weather may impact your scheduled activities. The School of Medicine has specific procedures for classes and clinical activities, outlined below. 

School of Medicine's Inclement Weather Policy

Didactic: If the University closes due to inclement weather or any other emergent reason, didactic classes, simulation sessions, and experiential learning events may be delayed, moved to an online platform, or canceled at the discretion of the instructor.

Clinical: Clinical days are never canceled unless done so by the clinical preceptor or site, as clinicians have a professional obligation to support access to care—especially during emergencies. Students are expected to follow the operational status of their assigned clinical site and defer to the supervising preceptor or rotation leader regarding attendance. For safety, students should exercise their best judgment in determining whether to attend clinicals during inclement weather. Absences due to inclement weather will be counted toward the clinical absence total unless a state-issued weather emergency is declared.

University 2025-26 Inclement Weather Policy

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

Notability

Reminder to back up your data in Notability.

Inclement Weather Reminder

As we approach the cold weather season, please be aware of how inclement weather may impact your scheduled activities. The School of Medicine has specific procedures for classes and clinical activities, outlined below. 

School of Medicine's Inclement Weather Policy

Didactic: If the University closes due to inclement weather or any other emergent reason, didactic classes, simulation sessions, and experiential learning events may be delayed, moved to an online platform, or canceled at the discretion of the instructor.

Clinical: Clinical days are never canceled unless done so by the clinical preceptor or site, as clinicians have a professional obligation to support access to care—especially during emergencies. Students are expected to follow the operational status of their assigned clinical site and defer to the supervising preceptor or rotation leader regarding attendance. For safety, students should exercise their best judgment in determining whether to attend clinicals during inclement weather. Absences due to inclement weather will be counted toward the clinical absence total unless a state-issued weather emergency is declared.

University 2025-26 Inclement Weather Policy

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

Notability

Reminder to back up your data in Notability.

Block 6

Attention M2 Students: Block 6, the course titled Cognition, Sensation & Movement, will begin on December 8, 2025.

Pilot attendance assistant for M1, M2, and Sami

SOM UTech is excited to introduce the pilot launch of the SOM UTech SOM Bot in Easel. Your new pilot attendance assistant (M1, M2 & SAMI). This pilot phase helps us learn how accurate and helpful the chatbot is. Please try it out and share your feedback so we can continue improving the SOM Bot experience for everyone. This recording shows you how to access the SOM Bot on the Easel website.

M1 Wellness Word Cloud!

What are you grateful for?

Curious about food insecurity in medical school? 

You’re not alone. Approximately 15% of medical students report experiencing food insecurity, and we want to ensure you are aware of school resources and assistance. The School of Medicine and GSC are hosting a SNAP Resource Town Hall on Tuesday, December 16, at 12 PM in room 103B of the HEC (next to the Admissions and Financial Aid suite). At this event, you’ll learn about SNAP benefits, eligibility, and how to apply. We’ll also highlight other campus supports, including the CWRU Community Pantry, mobile pantry events, and wellness initiatives, and share ways to reduce barriers and stigma surrounding access. Join us to get informed, ask questions, and connect with resources designed to support your success. Free food will be provided to those who attend in person; otherwise, there is a Zoom link to attend virtually. RSVP to ensure enough food is ordered.

Save the Date: Cultural & Wellbeing Week

CSE3G (formerly the Diversity Action Council 2.0) and Student Wellbeing Committee are hosting its annual Cultural & Wellbeing Week just after winter break.

When: Monday - Friday, January 12-16, 2026

What: Student-led lunch-and-learns, wellbeing activities, demonstrations, dinners, and more, culminating in a Friday lunch for all medical students across programs.

Have an idea for an event or want to sponsor an event? Share it with us using this short form: https://forms.gle/3meBeXyu88pEShno6.

You only need to come up with the idea and we can provide administrative support to make it happen.

Cultural & Wellbeing Week is created by students and student groups, for students, and is supported by the Office of Student Affairs.

More details to come, please mark your calendars now!

Wellbeing Wednesdays for December

Check out the Wellbeing Wednesday activities for December.

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

Important Dates

Spring Disbursement:

• January 12th
• Refunds expected by January 26th

Spring Tuition Bills:

• Available: December 9th
• Due: January 23rd

If you have any questions about these dates or your financial aid, please contact our office—medfinancialaid@case.edu, 216.368.3666, or HEC, Suite 111. 

Financial Wellness in Medicine

Join us for our Financial Wellness in Medicine group speaker event on Individual Income Tax basics with Mary Sasmaz, Ph.D., CPA, CFP—Wednesday, December 3rd at 12 pm EST in HEC Room 199A. For more details and to register, please visit our Debt Management: A Money Matters Course.

Submit a video of your research for Three Minute Thesis (3MT™)

The fifth annual CWRU Three Minute Thesis (3MT™) competition will be held on Friday, February 27th, 2026 at the Tinkham Veale University Center, and graduate and medical students are invited to participate! The first round of video submissions are due on December 7, 2025. Learn more here: 3MT Competition.

M1s - Summer Research Program in Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Medicine

The Stanford Cardiovascular Institute (CVI) is offering a 10-week Summer Research Program in Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Medicine for Undergraduate and Medical students. Students will have the opportunity to work on an independent research project in the labs of Stanford faculty. Two upcoming information sessions will be offered:

Wednesday, December 3 from 10am-11am PT via Zoom

Wednesday, December 10 from 10am-11am PT via Zoom

The program application deadline is December 19th, 2025. Learn more and apply here: Stanford CVI Program

VisualDX Lunch and Info Session

Join the CHSL for lunch and an information session about VisualDX. This event will take place Wednesday, December 17, 11:30-2:30 in room 149A/B in the Samson Pavilion. Lunch will be provided!
Highlights of the VisualDx database:
• Build a custom differential in seconds.
• Review more than 49,000 of the best medical images.
• Identify and treat medication reactions.

Register for the event at visualdx.com/casewestern/ We hope to see you there!"

How to Cite AI

CHSL’s research guide AI in Health Sciences, now includes instructions on how to cite generative AI tools in AMA, APA, and MLA formats. Users can also explore the guide’s RSS feeds of the latest AI research in medicine, nursing, and dental education.

We encourage you to browse the library’s full collection of Research Guides to support your learning.

Course Announcement! MPHP441 - Climate Change and Health

This 3-credit graduate course will teach students from a variety of disciplinary backgrounds about i) the impacts of climate change on human health; ii) the mechanisms responsible for such impacts; and iii) potential approaches to address these challenges. Review the syllabus for further details.

Monica Yepes-Rios, Assistant Dean Student Engagement and Wellbeing

Born in Colombia, moved to US/Washington DC when I was 12. My mother's family is from Hungary, I grew up speaking Spanish and French, and only a few Hungarian words. Attended Duke undergrad, George Washington University School of Medicine for Med School and Residency in Internal Medicine. Lived throughout the East Coast and West Coast out to Hawaii with my spouse's Naval career, largely dedicated to medical education in UME and GME, and to the service of the Hispanic and other communities. In addition to my SOM position, I have a clinical practice in Primary Care/Internal Medicine at the Cleveland Clinic, Ohio City Hispanic Clinic, a bilingual clinical practice, and serve as the Cleveland Clinic Medical Director Community Health/Food as Medicine initiatives addressing food insecurity. 

I have 4 children, enjoy hiking with our 2 Australian Cattle Dogs, Stand-Up Paddling on our North Coast, and traveling. 

As Assistant Dean Student Engagement and Wellbeing, I strive to build an environment of belonging for all students, and work alongside my colleagues in Student Affairs and Medical Education to support every student to thrive.

I approach my work with a goal in mind, a north star that guides our best efforts to create an environment for every student to belong and thrive. Respect, kindness, and excellence are central to how I approach my daily work.

How long at SOM? 

8 years

Favorite part of the job and why?

getting to know our amazing students and working with great colleagues 

Something in Cleveland Dr. Yepes-Rios would like to see?

new restaurants 

Early bird or a night owl?

Early bird

From where does she draw your biggest inspiration?

Collaboration

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