Medical Education News - M3 & M4 MD Student Edition

Tuesday march 17, 2026
For newsletter archive, events, and more, visit our CAMPUS GROUP SITE!

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

Dear Students:

March Madness! In Cleveland, this refers to both NCAA Basketball as well as the CRAZY WEATHER!! We’re not quite to spring but it’s coming.

Big week for you senior students with Match Day on Friday. We look forward to celebrating with all of you! It’s a BIG moment for you. (As a reminder, PLEASE complete your AAMC Graduate Questionnaire).

M3s are rounding the corner on the clerkships. Think how far you’ve come since your first clerkship back in May 2025. We know you are excited about becoming the senior students, looked up to and revered by the underclassmen!!

I want to also remind you that as events continue in Iran and across the Middle East, we all recognize that these developments may be personal and distressing. Please reach out if you need help. University Counseling Services can be reached at 216-368-5872 or through MyHealthConnect. In addition, TimelyCare provides access to online support 24/7.

Each of you plays an important role in supporting each other; simply checking-in with a colleague or friend can make a meaningful difference.

Keep in touch. Stay well.

LL

Match Panels

The Office of Student Affairs and several Student Interest Groups are holding Match Panels at the end of March/throughout April. These panels are a great opportunity to learn from M4s who recently matched in that specialty. Please review the current schedule of Match Panels and RSVP links here!

If you have questions about a specific panel, please email the appropriate contacts listed in the "Contact for Questions" column.

Please help us identify and Food insecurity at the HEC

Health Professions students nationwide have reported experiencing food insecurity, meaning they worry that their food supply will not last through the month. Please help us understand the extent of food insecurity on our Health Education Campus and identify opportunities to address this need. We would greatly appreciate it if you can take the HEC Food Security Survey 2026 - it is anonymous, voluntary, and it is not research. The survey can also be accessed by scanning the QR Code:


CWRU Resources are available to any student experiencing food insecurity.

Wellbeing Wednesdays

Check out the Wellbeing Wednesday activities for March.

Follow us on Instagram @cwru_medwellbeing.

NEW! Global Health Chagas Disease Elective – São Paulo, Brazil- INTH 41010I

Train at Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein—the world’s leading center for Chagas-related heart transplantation--and the Federal University of São Paulo-- in a 4-week elective to observe diagnostic and management approaches to the presentation and treatment of Chagas Disease, a leading cause of chronic morbidity in the Americas. Rotation will include mentored  experience in cardiology, GI complications, transplant medicine, pathology, and transfusion screening, while mastering its clinical, laboratory, and public health dimensions.

Contact Dr. Charles King (chk@cwru.edu) at the Center for Global Health and Diseases, SOM, for more information.

CDC Epidemiology Elective Program (EEP) is Accepting Applications

The CDC Epidemiology Elective Program (EEP) is currently accepting applications for the 2027 program cycle. The application window closes on April 21, 2026, and the program is open to students in their third year and beyond — meaning current second-year students are also eligible to apply now.

EEP offers students a unique experience working alongside applied epidemiologists on real public health investigations — a valuable complement to academic training and an excellent pathway toward a career in the field.

Financial Wellness Tip

Before school starts, calculate your living expenses and budget for the right dose of loans, just enough to keep your financial health in check. For budgeting help, 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.

AAMC Weekly Webinars

As you transition into residency, this is an ideal time to focus on your financial planning. The AAMC offers weekly live webinars on Tuesdays and Wednesdays to discuss student loan repayment, payment plan options, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, and more. To register and see a full list of resourses, please see the announcement in the Debt Management Course in Canvas.

Outstanding Advisor Survey

Have you had an exceptional experience with your research advisor? Consider nominating them for an outstanding advisor recognition. Your feedback helps us recognize the quality of their support, and we share this information with current and future students to highlight outstanding advisors they may want to work with. Submit your nomination: Outstanding Advisor Survey

SAVE THE DATE: Department of Surgery Research Day: Wednesday, May 20, 2026

The annual UH Department of Surgery Research Day will be held on Wednesday, May 20, 2026 as an in-person event, featuring keynote speaker Dorry Segev, MD, PhD, Professor of Surgery and Population Health and Vice Chair of Surgery at NYU and the Founding Director of the NYU Center for Surgical and Transplant Applied Research.

Residents, fellows, and medical students are invited to submit an abstract to be presented as a quick shot at Research Day. Depending on the number of submissions, we hope to allow all submitted abstracts the opportunity to present. The best presentations, as voted by the audience, will be awarded cash prizes.

Event Details:

UH Department of Surgery Research Day

Wednesday, May 20, 2026 | 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Location and Schedule:

7:00 – 8:00 AM – Oliver Payne Lectureship Grand Rounds (Kulas Auditorium)

8:15 – 10:00 AM – Resident Case Presentations and Career Development (Kulas Auditorium)

10:00 AM – 12:30 PM – Break

12:30 – 5:00 PM – Research Presentations (Wolstein Auditorium)

Important Dates:

• Abstract submission opens: Friday, March 13, 2026
• Abstract submission deadline: Friday, April 10, 2026
• Notification of accepted abstracts: Friday, April 17, 2026
• Presentation submission deadline: Friday, May 8, 2026
• UH Surgery Research Day: Wednesday, May 20, 2026

Abstract Submission Instructions:

Submit an Abstract as a Word document using the online submission form by April 10, 2026, at 5:00 PM ET. Each person may submit one abstract. Cash prizes will be awarded for the best medical student and best resident/fellow presentations. Abstracts of those selected to present will be included in the event's booklet/program.

Guidelines:

Residents, fellows, and medical students are welcome to submit. Maximum of one submission per presenter (presenters may be co-authors on multiple submissions). Abstracts will be judged on originality, scientific/clinical merit, clarity, and presentation of findings. All submissions must be submitted as a Word document using the Research Day Abstract Template. There is a 500-word limit. The abstract should include an introduction, methods, results, and conclusions. One table, image, or graph is permitted. Abstracts previously presented at other regional/national/international meetings are acceptable.

Please contact Heather Cigoi (Heather.Cigoi@UHhospitals.org) or Lisa DiNardo (Lisa.DiNardo@UHhospitals.org) with any questions.

Orthopaedic Surgery Research Year Opportunity 2026-2027

Third-year med students interested in orthopaedic surgery are encouraged to apply for the 2026-2027 Rothman Orthopaedic Institute Spine Research Fellowship. This is a one-year, full-time, and paid opportunity to work with the spine research team at the Rothman Orthopedic Institute. Learn more through their website here, and applicants should send materials to: spinerothman@gmail.com

Clear your Cache

Medical journal vendors (e.g., ScienceDirect, JAMA) often require clearing cookies and cache because their session-based, cookies become corrupted or expired (vendors often update the time-out period), causing access blockage. Clear out your cookies, cache, history, etc. consistently BEFORE accessing a resource.

To cut down on how often you have to clear your cache, use a “Private Browser”

In Chrome, you can find this option in the 3 dots on the upper right of your screen. Choose “New Incognito Window”.  The process is similar in other browsers.

Contact the CHSL at askCHSL@case.edu for assistance with this or other questions regarding resources and services

Deadline March 31 - 2026 Jerry Kowal Student Scholarship - Accepting Applications

The Ohio Geriatrics Society wishes to announce that applications for the 2026 Jerry Kowal Student Scholarship are currently being accepted. This award is to be granted to a medical student, PharmD candidate, physical therapy, occupational therapy, audiology, speech therapy, physician assistant, or nursing/nurse practitioner student who is interested in attending the 2026 American Geriatrics Society National Scientific Meeting being held this year, Virtual platform. Two scholarships are to be awarded. Please complete the application and send to Himika Dalia, hdalia@metrohealth.org, by the deadline of March 31, 2026. Awards will be announced on April 10, 2026.

MetroHealth Family Medicine Department Conference

The MetroHealth Family Medicine Department is hosting an upcoming Family Medicine CME conference event, and it is free for students to attend. Learn more and register for the conference.

2026 AAP Medical Student Essay Contest on The Art of Communication in Psychiatry

It is time for the 2026 AAP Medical Student Essay Contest on The Art of Communication in Psychiatry!

Benefits

• Complimentary Annual Meeting Registration
• Up to $1,000 reimbursement for meeting-related travel, hotel, and meal expenses
• Essay presented as a poster at Annual Meeting

The selected winner of the creative writing contest will receive up to $1,000 for reimbursement of travel expenses to attend the 2026 AAP Annual Meeting in Salt Lake City, UT where s/he will present the essay. The theme is: The Art of Communication in Psychiatry: Connecting with the Patient.

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION: June 1, 2026

Submission Requirements
The contest is open to any student who is both currently enrolled in an accredited medical school in the United States, Canada or around the world and will be enrolled at the time of the Annual Meeting September 16-19, 2026. The work must be an original unpublished essay of 1,000 words or less. ONLY ONE SUBMISSION PER STUDENT WILL BE ACCEPTED.

Students may click here to apply online.

Essays should be submitted electronically and request the following information:

• Student’s Name
• Name of Medical School where enrolled, year in school
• Mailing Address, Phone Number, Email Address

Selection Criteria
Judges will be blinded to the participant and affiliated medical school. Judging will be based on originality, uniqueness, flow of thought, and appropriateness to the theme.

Deadline for submission is June 1, 2026. No additional submissions for the 2026 Annual Meeting will be considered after that date.

For QUESTIONS ONLY, contact James Haliburton, MD, Medical Student Essay Subcommittee Chair, at jamesrhaliburton@gmail.com. All essay submissions must be made through the Award portal.

Submissions for Lasker Foundation video contest

The Lasker Foundation is accepting submissions for its 2026 video contest. The competition is open to medical students, interns, residents, and fellows; doctoral students and postdoctoral fellows in biomedical sciences; and health professions graduate students who are currently conducting research. Applicants are asked to describe a biomedical research question they are studying — or would like to explore — and explain its future impact on science and patients. Winners will be awarded a prize of $5,000. The application deadline is April 2.

Read More

Women's History Month: Honoring Leadership, Impact and Opportunity

Each March, Women’s History Month provides an opportunity to reflect on the vital contributions women have made - and continue to make - across every field including healthcare. Established by Congress in 1987, this month is dedicated to recognizing the leadership, innovation and advocacy of women whose voices and actions have shaped our communities and our world.

This recognition holds special meaning at University Hospitals where women make up a significant portion of our caregiver workforce and are at the forefront of delivering compassionate care to our patients. Your expertise and leadership directly influence outcomes and strengthen trust in the care we provide every day.

This year’s national theme, “Leading the Change: Women Shaping a Sustainable Future,” selected by the National Women's History Alliance, highlights women who are reimagining systems to support environmental, economic and social sustainability. In healthcare, this work shows up in countless ways, from innovative care models and research to mentorship and advocacy that supports a more resilient future for our patients and communities.

Women’s History Month is also a time to learn from one another and invest in growth. We invite you to participate in upcoming opportunities including:

• A UH Health Impact Lunch & Learn at 12 p.m. Wednesday, March 25. Click here to register for the virtual event that features moderator Heidi Gartland, Chief Government & Community Relations Officer, and panelists Holly Ma, Vice President, Nursing Professional Development, and Brett Glotzbecker, MD, Academic Chief Medical Officer & VP, System Quality,
• UH’s virtual Women’s Leadership Symposium, Friday, March 6, 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. Click here to register,
• Fidelity Women Talk Money events offered throughout the month. These sessions are designed to inform, inspire and support both personal and professional development. Click here to save your seat and for more information. Topics include “Creating Space for Success - Boundaries & Balance”, Wednesday, March 11, 2:00-2:45 p.m.; “Financial Power-up”, Wednesday, March 18, 2:00-2:45 p.m.; “Share the Wealth – How to Grow Your Career and Community”, Wednesday, March 25, 2:00-2:45 p.m.; and “Help Boost your Tax Refund”, Wednesday, April 8, 2-2:45 p.m.

We believe our history is our strength, and that a workforce rich in varied perspectives is essential to advancing health and healing. Thank you for the care you provide and the difference you make.

Register Today - UH Global Health Grand Rounds

Please join us for the Global Health Grand Rounds, a webinar series consisting of extramural-funded researchers, leaders and renowned experts who will share their scholarly insights on cutting-edge research and perspectives on global health.

Second Tuesday of each month from 12:00 to 1:00 pm U.S. ET.

Register Today - UH Health Services Research Grand Rounds

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.

When: May 21, 2026
Where: Cleveland Clinic Administrative Campus (CCAC)
3175 Science Park Drive, Building #4, 4th Floor
Beachwood, OH 44122
Cost: Free to medical students

More information and registration for PRIDE in Practice.

Tranquility Tuesday

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