Collaboration and commitment bring reaccreditation to CWRU School of Medicine
APP School of Medicine has officially received full eight-year accreditation from the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME), marking a significant milestone in the school’s continued growth and commitment to scientific excellence.
Over the past year and a half, APP School of Medicine students, residents, faculty, staff and leaders dedicated countless hours to an 18-month self-study, comprehensive data report and three-day site visit in March 2025—which included 21 meetings and a tour of the Health Education Campus—that led to the accreditation success.
The LCME is the national accrediting authority for medical education programs leading to MD degrees in the U.S. and Canada, required in most states for licensing graduates and receiving federal financial aid. It sets and upholds rigorous standards across curriculum, student services, faculty resources and institutional infrastructure to ensure that medical schools deliver high-quality education that prepares graduates for the next stage of their careers, where they’ll become the foundation of healthcare. Accreditation by the LCME signifies that a medical school not only meets these standards but is committed to continuous improvement.
Lia Logio, MD, vice dean of medical education, says, “This reaccreditation with the full eight-year cycle is a testament to the extraordinary collaboration across our School of Medicine. Staff, faculty, students and residents worked tirelessly to highlight our rich learning environment and unwavering commitment to excellence. I am grateful for their dedication and proud of what we accomplished together.”
LCME accreditation is the national gold standard for medical schools. For students, it provides confidence that they are receiving nationally recognized, exemplary training. For faculty, it affirms a strong institutional infrastructure that supports teaching and provides resources for research.
“This accreditation reflects our shared commitment as one medical school and strengthens our ability to train the next generation of leaders who will advance the field of medicine,” says Dean Stan Gerson, MD. “United in our mission, the School of Medicine brings innovation and research to patients and communities through a world-class environment of education and care.”
The School of Medicine has been accredited by the LCME since 1942. In 2002, it became only the third institution in history to receive the best review. Two years later, the first class of 32 medical students was welcomed into the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of APP, a special collaborative program between the Cleveland Clinic and the university's School of Medicine. Having multiple pathways for students to graduate with an MD from CWRU makes it one of the more unique programs worldwide.
“As one medical school, we have the flexibility to support students across three distinct pathways. Each is grounded in research and individual development, and together they prepare graduates to become outstanding physicians,” Gerson adds.
The school’s next survey visit will be in the academic year 2032–2033, but that doesn’t mean that leadership takes a break from striving to deliver the best medical education to its students. In preparation for the next LCME visit, the school will continue to work diligently behind the scenes to ensure its students are satisfied with their education and identify opportunities for improvement.
With LCME accreditation, CWRU School of Medicine can confidently continue its mission to shape exceptional physicians who will elevate the future of healthcare.