--- title: Making the Grade image: https://magazine.clevelandclinic.org/hubfs/CC%20Magazine/Centennial/2000s/Making%20the%20Grade/Centennial-MakingGrade-Social.jpg --- [![Cleveland Clinic Magazine - Giving Does Good | Centennial](https://magazine.clevelandclinic.org/hs-fs/hubfs/CC%20Magazine%20Template%20Assets/img/logo-cc-magazine-centennial-mb-inverse.png?noresize&width=224&height=38&name=logo-cc-magazine-centennial-mb-inverse.png) ![Cleveland Clinic Magazine - Giving Does Good | Centennial](https://magazine.clevelandclinic.org/hs-fs/hubfs/CC%20Magazine%20Template%20Assets/img/logo-cc-magazine-centennial-inverse.png?noresize&width=552&height=65&name=logo-cc-magazine-centennial-inverse.png)](https://magazine.clevelandclinic.org/2021-centennial?hsLang=en) [Donate](https://give.ccf.org/CCMAG) THE 2000s # Making the Grade ## Share - [Share on facebook](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://magazine.clevelandclinic.org/2021-centennial/making-the-grade&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook) - [Share on twitter](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https://magazine.clevelandclinic.org/2021-centennial/making-the-grade&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&url=https://magazine.clevelandclinic.org/2021-centennial/making-the-grade&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&source=tweetbutton&text=) - [Share on linkedin](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://magazine.clevelandclinic.org/2021-centennial/making-the-grade&utm_medium=social&utm_source=linkedin) - [Share on email](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20Making%20the%20Grade%20&body=Check%20out%20https://magazine.clevelandclinic.org/2021-centennial/making-the-grade&utm_medium=social&utm_source=email) ![4 students talking about a knee bone](https://magazine.clevelandclinic.org/hs-fs/hubfs/CC%20Magazine/Centennial/2000s/Making%20the%20Grade/Centennial-MakingGrade-Wide.jpg?width=1030&height=540&name=Centennial-MakingGrade-Wide.jpg) The Lerner College of Medicine is dedicated to preparing future generations of physician investigators and scientists to advance biomedical research and clinical practice. | Photo: Don Gerda ## Also in 2002 WorldCom files for bankruptcy Kelly Clarkson wins “American Idol” Season 1 U.S. creates Department of Homeland Security Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine was established in 2002 with a record-breaking $100 million gift from philanthropists Al and Norma Lerner. “You don’t have to say thank you to us,” Al Lerner said when the gift was announced. “We’re saying thank you to you.” He referred to Cleveland Clinic as “the crown jewel of Cleveland.” The Lerner College of Medicine is affiliated with Case Western Reserve University, whose main campus is only blocks away from Cleveland Clinic’s main campus. “Three of the competencies we want our graduate physicians to have include personal development, professionalism and reflective practice,” said James Young, MD, Cleveland Clinic’s Executive Director of Academic Affairs. “Insight into the call-and-response of our patients and profession is the foundation of these three competencies. Listen to the call — and then respond.” The Lerner College of Medicine embraces a grade-free, competency-based assessment system with an emphasis on problem-based learning and problem-solving seminars. The first class matriculated in 2004 and graduated five years later. In 2008, at the behest of Cleveland Clinic CEO and President Delos “Toby” Cosgrove, MD, the Lerner College of Medicine began its ongoing practice of awarding full-tuition scholarships to all 32 students per class in its highly competitive program — a first for a U.S. medical school. ## Explore the Decades ### [![Polaroid of forest](https://magazine.clevelandclinic.org/hs-fs/hubfs/CC%20Magazine/Centennial/Origins/War%20Story/Centennial-WarStory-SmallThumbnail.jpg?width=242&height=214&name=Centennial-WarStory-SmallThumbnail.jpg) Origins](https://magazine.clevelandclinic.org/2021-centennial/origins?hsLang=en) ### [![Cleveland Clinic Building](https://magazine.clevelandclinic.org/hs-fs/hubfs/CC%20Magazine/Centennial/1920s/Decade%20Page/1920-Small.jpg?width=242&height=214&name=1920-Small.jpg) The 1920s](https://magazine.clevelandclinic.org/2021-centennial/1920s?hsLang=en) ### [![Clinic Building](https://magazine.clevelandclinic.org/hs-fs/hubfs/CC%20Magazine/Centennial/1930s/Decade%20Page/1930-Small.jpg?width=242&height=214&name=1930-Small.jpg) The 1930s](https://magazine.clevelandclinic.org/2021-centennial/1930s?hsLang=en) ### [![George Crile Sr.](https://magazine.clevelandclinic.org/hs-fs/hubfs/CC%20Magazine/Centennial/1940s/Decade%20Page/1940-Small.jpg?width=242&height=214&name=1940-Small.jpg) The 1940s](https://magazine.clevelandclinic.org/2021-centennial/1940s?hsLang=en) ### [![Willem Kolff, MD, PhD, holding a can](https://magazine.clevelandclinic.org/hs-fs/hubfs/CC%20Magazine/Centennial/1950s/Decade%20Page/1950-Small.jpg?width=242&height=214&name=1950-Small.jpg) The 1950s](https://magazine.clevelandclinic.org/2021-centennial/1950s?hsLang=en) ### [![Dr. Rupert Turnball, MD with 3 women](https://magazine.clevelandclinic.org/hs-fs/hubfs/CC%20Magazine/Centennial/1960s/Decade%20Page/1960-Small.jpg?width=242&height=214&name=1960-Small.jpg) The 1960s](https://magazine.clevelandclinic.org/2021-centennial/1960s?hsLang=en) ### [![Floyd Loop, MD](https://magazine.clevelandclinic.org/hs-fs/hubfs/CC%20Magazine/Centennial/1970s/Decade%20Page/1970-Small.jpg?width=242&height=214&name=1970-Small.jpg) The 1970s](https://magazine.clevelandclinic.org/2021-centennial/1970s?hsLang=en) ### [![Joseph Hahn, MD operating on a patient](https://magazine.clevelandclinic.org/hs-fs/hubfs/CC%20Magazine/Centennial/1980s/Decade%20Page/1980-Small.jpg?width=242&height=214&name=1980-Small.jpg) The 1980s](https://magazine.clevelandclinic.org/2021-centennial/1980s?hsLang=en) ### [![Sherwin building](https://magazine.clevelandclinic.org/hs-fs/hubfs/CC%20Magazine/Centennial/1990s/Decade%20Page/1990-Small.jpg?width=242&height=214&name=1990-Small.jpg) The 1990s](https://magazine.clevelandclinic.org/2021-centennial/1990s?hsLang=en) ### [![Taussig Cancer Institute](https://magazine.clevelandclinic.org/hs-fs/hubfs/CC%20Magazine/Centennial/2000s/Decade/2000-Small.jpg?width=242&height=214&name=2000-Small.jpg) The 2000s](https://magazine.clevelandclinic.org/2021-centennial/2000s?hsLang=en) ### [![Stewart Kohl and Larry Pollock](https://magazine.clevelandclinic.org/hs-fs/hubfs/CC%20Magazine/Centennial/2010s/Decade%20Page/2010-Small.jpg?width=242&height=214&name=2010-Small.jpg) The 2010s](https://magazine.clevelandclinic.org/2021-centennial/2010s?hsLang=en) ### [![Lara K. Kalafatis](https://magazine.clevelandclinic.org/hs-fs/hubfs/CC%20Magazine/Centennial/Top%20Stories/Letter%20from%20Lara/Centennial-Lara-SmallThumbnail.jpg?width=242&height=214&name=Centennial-Lara-SmallThumbnail.jpg) Top Stories](https://magazine.clevelandclinic.org/2021-centennial/top-stories?hsLang=en) - [Archive](https://magazine.clevelandclinic.org/archive?hsLang=en) - [Contact](https://magazine.clevelandclinic.org/2021-centennial/contact-us?hsLang=en) - [Subscribe](https://donate.clevelandclinic.org/sign-up?hsLang=en) - [Purchase](https://magazine.clevelandclinic.org/2021-centennial/get-your-copy-today?hsLang=en) [Donate](https://give.ccf.org/CCMAG) [![Cleveland Clinic](https://magazine.clevelandclinic.org/hs-fs/hubfs/CC%20Magazine%20Template%20Assets/img/logo-cc.png?width=300&name=logo-cc.png "Cleveland Clinic")](https://my.clevelandclinic.org/) © 2026 Cleveland Clinic. All rights reserved. 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