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When the Cleveland Clinic was established in 1921, its founders envisioned a future where physicians could share their clinical expertise and devote themselves to educating new generations of caregivers.
Eric G. Weiss, M.D., FACS, FASCRS, FACG, appreciates that mission. He is the Chief Academic Officer, Director of Education Center and Designated Institutional Official (DIO) for the Cleveland Clinic Weston Hospital programs.
“You can touch lives by being a physician,” said Dr. Weiss. “But when you teach people, that reach exponentially grows.”
Since its first program in 1990, Graduate Medical Education at Cleveland Clinic in Florida has grown at the Weston campus to become South Florida’s largest non-university, physician-graduate training center. Doctors from around the world come for residency and fellowship training in 1 of 16 programs, like colorectal surgery, internal medicine and neurology, among others.
According to Dr. Weiss, there are a number of studies that show patients receive a greater quality of care at academic medical centers. Cleveland Clinic is a State of Florida designated teaching hospital.
One reason is because there are multiple physicians evaluating patients. Residents, fellows and attending physicians collaborate to put the patient first. Attending physicians also routinely enhance their expertise by participating in quality and safety projects, giving lectures and mentoring residents and fellows in research.
“All of these things make for a more well-rounded and certainly a more inquisitive environment that ultimately leads to better patient care.”
In addition, education programs like this can help recruit and retain the best and brightest doctors.
“There are many physicians who only want to work in an academic medical center,” he explains. “They want to give back. They want to teach residents, fellows and medical students.”
Each year, potential incoming residents interview with different programs around the country. Dr. Weiss believes that the Cleveland Clinic reputation, South Florida setting and familial atmosphere make the program extremely attactive. Residents and fellows appreciate the level of interaction with attending physicians that they receive at Weston Hospital and recognize the quality, safety and excellent patient care that the organization demands.
“Our goal is to provide the highest quality and the best programs we can.”
