Celebrating the Class of 2023: Lincoln-West School of Science and Health

​Join us in celebrating and congratulating an important part of the MetroHealth community: the Lincoln-West School of Science and Health class of 2023. The school opened its doors on MetroHealth's Main Campus in 2016, making it the country's only high school inside a hospital. Since then, our employees have supported and encouraged dozens of scholars by hosting interns, serving as guest speakers for classroom presentations, being mentors and more.

The School of Science and Health's graduation rate has been over 90% for all five graduating classes. 

This year's class graduated Friday, June 16. MetroHealth President and CEO Airica Steed, Ed.D, RN, MBA, FACHE, provided remarks via video for the ceremony. You watch her full remarks here, but here is a bit of what she shared with this year's grads: 

"I want every one of you graduates to know what a joy it has been getting to spend time with you. And to know that when I sat where you are sitting now … I never dreamed I would be where I am today – the first nurse, the first woman and the first person of color to be the CEO of Cleveland's nearly 200-year-old public health care system, a health care system blessed enough to have you as a part of it. 

Being first is something many of you know too well. Some of you are the first in your family to graduate, the first to go on to college, the first to start working toward a career in a new country, in a new language. 

Beyond those firsts, each of you are special in so many other ways. You each have your own incredible talents. And you have another first to carry with you for the rest of your life: You graduated from the first school in the United States inside of a hospital.

No matter where this big, beautiful life takes you, you are always welcomed back to MetroHealth, welcomed back home. And that invitation begins now." 

Katrina Kelly, MSN, MHA, RN, NPD-BC, MetroHealth's, Manager of Nurse Education and Professional Development proudly served as the keynote speaker and delivered an inspirational message on "Yes….You.  You have are ready for this moment and this new chapter in your life." 

We recently announced an ongoing commitment to the school, starting with the class of 2023. In partnership with the United Negro College Fund, MetroHealth will fund four, $5,000 merit-based scholarships for Lincoln-West School of Science and Health graduates. The funding can be used at both four-year and two-year post-secondary institutions. In all, MetroHealth will award 20 scholarships to School of Science and Health scholars over the next five years. 

Congratulations to this year's UNCF scholarship recipients:

• Khandah Abdullah (valedictorian)
• Mohamad Moussa (salutatorian)
• Mariam Walubila (salutatorian)
• Roberto Gonzales

In addition to the Lincoln-West scholars, MetroHealth will host five current college students who are UNCF scholarship awardees beginning in 2024 – regardless of where they attended high school – as paid interns. Students must be Cuyahoga County natives. UNCF interns will work in various departments and participate in MetroHealth's summer internship program.