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We look forward to partnering with you in your journey through medical school. Out of our commitment to our patients, we want to make sure that you are aware of the policy regarding drug screening for medical students.
Individuals who are impaired by alcohol or other substances may endanger patients. Therefore, these individuals may not be suitable candidates for admission, promotion, or graduation. Further, CWRU SOM has an obligation to their clinical healthcare partners to maintain safe, productive, and drug- and alcohol-free environments. Participation in clinical rotations during a student’s time at CWRU SOM is an essential requirement of the curriculum. Most, if not all, of CWRU’s clinical healthcare partners require that all participants submit a negative drug screen prior to participation in clinical rotations. Knowing that our students may enter these clinical spaces before formal clinical rotations, to comply with the expectations of our clinical affiliates, all CWRU SOM candidates must pass a comprehensive, pre-matriculation drug screen before matriculation. Drug screenings will be required only after the applicant has been accepted into the CWRU SOM and prior to matriculation.
As such, you are required to undergo drug screening prior to matriculation. The required drug testing is a Chain of Custody 10 Panel Test that includes testing for THC, Cocaine, Opiates, PCP, Amphetamines, Benzodiazepines, Barbiturates, Methaqualone, Propoxyphene and Methadone. We have arranged for testing through CastleBranch (https://discover.castlebranch.com/solutions/screening/), with a cost of approximately $37 (cheaper than most other options available). CWRU-specific URL for CastleBranch testing will be available in flyer below. Rest assured that if you have an active prescription for a medication that would appear on the drug test, this will be vetted by CastleBranch with your provider. In these instances the drug testing result would be reported to the school as compliant. Your medical diagnoses and medication history are not shared with the medical school.
Failure to comply with and to pass this required drug screen will result in a review by the CWRU SOM Drug Screen Working Group and could lead to a variety of outcomes including assessment and counseling, and up to and including rescission of the applicant’s acceptance to CWRU SOM. If a student has a positive drug test and holds an active prescription for the drug that is detected, as above this will be vetted by an agent of CastleBranch. Should a student have a positive drug test and does not hold an active prescription for the drug that is detected, this situation would require review by the Working Group. Results of your drug screen must be received no later than 5pm ET on June 19, 2026.
Following matriculation, “for cause” drug and alcohol testing may be initiated when concerns are raised regarding the performance, behavior, or actions of a medical student that indicate a reasonable suspicion for substance impairment. Any concerns that raise these suspicions for substance impairment will be reported to administration who will then determine whether “for cause” testing is appropriate. Compliance with “for cause” drug and alcohol testing of medical students is a condition of continued enrollment. Failure to comply and/or to pass this drug screen may result in disciplinary action against the student by CWRU SOM, up to and including dismissal from the program. Please rest assured that this initiative is grounded in our unwavering commitment to the safety and well-being of our patients and fellow caregivers. In fact, submitting to this level of scrutiny is an important part of your professional identity formation: with great trust comes great responsibility.
We thank you in advance for your compliance with this policy; it demonstrates your willingness to uphold our shared values. If you have any questions or if we can be of any assistance, please contact me directly at axr668@case.edu. We look forward to welcoming you in July!
Sincerely,
Anastasia Rowland-Seymour, MD, FACP
Associate Professor, MetroHealth, Department of Internal Medicine
Associate Professor, CWRU SOM, Center for Medical Education
Associate Dean for Program Innovation and Educational Enhancements
Medical Director, PRIME Program
Case Western Reserve University, School of Medicine
School of Medicine, Samson Pavilion
9501 Euclid Ave., Room 419B
Cleveland, OH 44106-7506
axr668@case.edu
Pronouns: She, Her, and Hers
216-368-6050
https://case.edu/medicine/curriculum
**This policy was approved on May 8, 2024 by the Committee on Medical Education.
More details about the drug screen and the process for setting up an appointment using a Case-specific URL will be coming in around March 2026.
More details about the drug screen and the process for setting up an appointment using a Case-specific URL will be coming in around March 2026.
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