Program Overview

Introduction to the Transformative Care Continuum

The Transformative Care Continuum (TCC) is an innovative, accelerated pathway to family medicine, offered by the Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine in collaboration with the Cleveland Clinic. This program is designed to meet the growing need for primary care physicians and provide the best care for patients.

Program Overview

The TCC is based on medical competencies and prepares students for careers in family medicine through a continuous experience from medical school through residency and beyond. The program's foundation is deep experiences with patients and healthcare delivery teams. The first cohort of students started in August 2018 and completed residency in 2024.

Program Details

• The TCC is an accelerated pathway that takes six years to complete.
• The program is designed for students who are determined to become family physicians and want to stay in Northeast Ohio to practice.
• Students will be embedded into their Cleveland Clinic site within their first days of medical school and will progress at that same site through to graduation, residency, and board certification.

Partner Institutions

The TCC has partnered with two Cleveland Clinic sites:

• Cleveland Clinic: Akron General, which provides the experience of a large, tertiary care academic medical center in a supportive environment.
• Cleveland Clinic: Lakewood Family Health Center, which offers a new high-tech environment with experienced family physicians who practice full-spectrum, community-based primary care.

The Transformative Care Continuum Difference

The TCC is at the forefront of a growing movement to adapt medical education to meet the needs of rapidly changing, 21st-century healthcare systems. The Heritage College was one of 21 medical schools nationwide chosen to join the 11 founding members of the American Medical Association "Accelerating Change in Medical Education Consortium."

Accelerating Change in Medical Education

The American Medical Association is working with the Heritage College and others to shape medical education's future. The consortium members are creating the "medical school of the future" by transforming how future physicians are trained.

Admission Criteria

The TCC selection committee looks for strong applicants with certain characteristics and experiences. These include:

• Determination to become a family physician
• Desire to stay in Northeast Ohio to practice
• Drive to go beyond the examination room and into communities, where responsive care begins

Research and Education

The TCC is part of a larger effort to transform medical education and improve healthcare outcomes. The program is committed to providing students with a comprehensive education and training in family medicine, as well as opportunities for research and community engagement.