Mission/Vision
Welcome to the Program in Medical Humanities at Lerner College of Medicine! Here at CCLCM, the arts and humanities are a central feature of the curriculum and of extracurricular programming.
The Program in Medical Humanities at Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine helps future physicians connect the science of medicine with the art of healing. Through poetry, narrative, visual art, and theatre, students explore the human experience of health, illness, and care. Alongside our curriculum, we host events like the annual John P. Murphy Symposium in Medical Humanities, the Med Student Story Slam, and Stethos, our student-run medical humanities journal—creating opportunities for reflection, creativity, and community. We envision a medical community where the humanities are woven into every aspect of learning and practice—where storytelling, art, and reflection inspire compassion, understanding, and a deeper sense of connection between patients and clinicians.
History of Humanities at CCLCM
The Medical Humanities program at CCLCM began with a bold idea: medicine is not only about science but also about people, their stories, and the cultures that shape their lives. Founded by Martin Kohn, PhD, with faculty such as Molly Wimbiscus, MD, the program created space in medical education for reflection, creativity, and cultural awareness.
From the start, the humanities were not an add-on but a core part of the curriculum. In the first two years, students explored literature, visual art, storytelling, and history, while the clinical years offered smaller but meaningful opportunities to continue reflection. Writing and discussion encouraged students to connect what they were learning in the classroom and hospital to the human experiences behind every illness.
Innovation soon became a hallmark. Signature projects like Devising Healthy Communities invited students to collaborate with local partners and explore health through creative expression. Reflective writing often moved beyond the page, performed by professional actors who gave voice to student stories. These experiences helped students see medicine through different perspectives and recognize the social and cultural forces that shape health and healing. Creativity was also celebrated in Stethos, the student-run medical humanities journal. Its pages featured essays, poetry, artwork, and reflections, highlighting students’ growth and insights. Beyond the journal, scholarly writing and presentations demonstrated how the humanities shape empathy, resilience, and professional identity.
Today, the program’s legacy continues to inspire. Generations of learners have discovered that medicine is at its best when it blends scientific skill with human connection. For students who want to become not only knowledgeable physicians but also compassionate and reflective professionals, the Medical Humanities program at CCLCM offers a path to discover what it truly means to care.