Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine Presents the 7th Annual Story Slam

More than 100 students, faculty and friends were invited to gather on Oct. 12 for Story Slam, an annual Medical Humanities tradition that showcases narrative talent of medical students from the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine University and College programs.

The evening’s opening performance was a rendition of Pachelbel’s Canon in D performed by Akua Abrah (’27) and David Shin (’27) on violin and cello, respectively.

The evening’s keynote speaker was Lisa M. Wong, MD, musician and author of “Scales to Scalpels: Doctors who Practice the Healing Arts of Music and Medicine.” Dr. Wong and Jonathan Lass, MD, Director of the Eye Image Analysis Reading Centers at University Hospitals, together performed Beethoven’s Duet for Violin and Cello.
The student performances included:

“All American Reject” by Hannah Clarke (CWRU, M2)
“Fresh Growth” by Olivia Dhaliwal (CWRU, M2)
“An Ode to the Family: Waves” by Samuel Doty and read by Hannah Clarke (CWRU, M2)
“Where is it?” by Gus Roversi (’24)
“On Purpose” by Chineme Onwubueke (’25)
“Salut d’Amour” by Edward Elgar and performed by Akua Abrah (’27) and David Shin (’27)

This year’s event was organized by August Culbert (’26) and Meghana Iyer (’26).

“Last night’s Story Slam was such a breath of fresh air!” wrote Meghana on her social media page. “Enjoyed hearing beautiful student stories and performances alongside Dr. Lisa Wong’s keynote.”

Likewise, Gus shared on his social media that he had an “[a]mazing night hearing some amazing stories and beautiful music! Excited to have been able to share mine!”

Held again at the Market Garden Brewery in Ohio City, Story Slam was underwritten by the CCLCM Office of the Executive Dean (Bud Isaacson, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine and Executive Dean) and the R.J. Fasenmeyer Center for Clinical Immunology (Leonard Calabrese, DO, Professor of Medicine). Administrative and planning support for the CCLCM student coordinators was provided by Katherine Burke, MFA, Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine and Director of the CCLCM Program in Medical Humanities.

Photo credit: Matt Kohlmann