Dr. Suhib Jamal’s Journey

When Dr. Suhib Jamal walks the halls of UH Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital, he carries more than a stethoscope and a chart; he carries with him a story rooted in Cleveland’s neighborhoods, nurtured by mentors, and shaped by programs designed to give students like him a pathway into medicine. His journey from a curious middle schooler to a practicing pediatrician is not just about personal success—it’s about what happens when opportunity meets determination.

A Spark for Science

Dr. Jamal traces his fascination with science back to middle school, where his natural curiosity was encouraged at home and fueled by opportunities at the Cleveland School of Science and Medicine (CSSM). The school’s unique location—steps away from Case Western Reserve University, University Hospitals, and the Cleveland Clinic—meant that the resources of world-class institutions were suddenly within reach.

“It was eye-opening,” Jamal recalls of his early experiences. He participated in the Wisdom Bridge Scholars Program, where ninth- and tenth-graders sat in on neurosurgery research meetings at the Cleveland Clinic. For a teenager, the contrast between his own presentations and those of seasoned neurosurgeons was humbling—and inspiring. “It showed me just how much there was to learn, and how complex and fascinating medicine could be”.

Those mornings at 6 a.m. did more than teach him about neurology; they lit a spark that medicine was not an abstract dream, but a world he could enter.

Mentorship and Early Research

As a high school junior, Jamal pursued research at Case Western Reserve, working with stem cells to create red blood cells for transfusion. The project brought science to life in ways textbooks never could, connecting experiments in a lab to real-world needs like saving lives in trauma care. That experience, paired with rigorous coursework and strong relationships with teachers, gave him both the academic foundation and the encouragement to keep pushing forward.

“I still catch up with my high school teachers today,” he says, describing them as mentors who guided him beyond the classroom. Their influence, along with access to nearby institutions, helped turn his interest into action.

Crossing the Bridge to Medicine

Jamal’s path solidified when he applied for the Joan C. Edwards Scholarship, a program that offers Cleveland public school students a direct path to medical school. The scholarship required him to make a big decision early: commit to medicine while still in high school. Unlike many peers who arrive at pre-med programs still uncertain about their futures, Jamal had to be sure.

“I reflected a lot at the end of my junior year and realized medicine was the place for me,” he says.

Winning the scholarship meant more than financial relief—it meant a seat reserved at Case Western Reserve’s medical school, ensuring he could pursue medicine without the crushing burden of student debt. That freedom, he reflects, shaped his career in unexpected ways.

The Power of Proximity

Proximity was a recurring theme in Jamal’s journey. Being able to walk across the street to shadow physicians or conduct research eliminated one of the biggest barriers for many students: transportation. “As a high school student, travel is a big obstacle,” he explains. “We were able to just walk. You just walk across the street and you’re there”.

Later, as a medical student himself, he returned to CSSM to teach younger students about cardiology. For Jamal, it was a full-circle moment—once inspired by medical students and physicians visiting his high school, he was now the one standing in front of classrooms, showing what was possible.

Loss, Resilience, and Purpose

Behind Jamal’s professional path lies a deeply personal story. His younger brother, just a year behind him in school, passed away during Jamal’s college years. The loss was devastating, but it also became a source of inspiration.

“He’s what keeps me running,” Jamal shares. During his pediatric rotation in medical school, he often thought of his brother, realizing how critical children’s health is for families and communities. That connection led him to pediatrics, a field where he could combine science, compassion, and long-term relationships with patients.

The experience also deepened his ability to empathize with families in crisis. “It helps me greatly in being able to connect with my patients and their parents,” he says. “I use that experience to better understand what they’re going through”.

Choosing Pediatrics Without Compromise

For many medical students, the weight of student loans shapes career choices. Specialties with higher earning potential can feel like the only viable option when graduates are staring down hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt. Jamal’s scholarship changed that equation.

“I could pick whatever I wanted without worrying about paying off half a million dollars in loans,” he explains. That freedom allowed him to choose pediatrics—a field with fewer financial rewards but immense personal fulfillment.

As a general pediatrician, Jamal values the chance to follow his patients through childhood, building relationships with families and supporting children’s health from their earliest years. He sees his work not just as treating illness but as setting young people up for success in life.

Giving Back Through Community

Even after completing medical school, Jamal remained connected to the Edwards Scholars network. He stayed involved during residency, joining meetings with other Scholars to share challenges and encouragement. For him, it was both a support system and a chance to mentor younger students who hadn’t yet experienced the rigors of medical training.

Medical school and residency can be isolating, he says, especially for first-generation students navigating spaces where few peers share their backgrounds. Staying tied to the Edwards community reminded him why he started down this path and gave him opportunities to open doors for those coming after him.

A Journey Rooted in Community

Dr. Suhib Jamal’s story is more than a personal success—it is a testament to what happens when schools, hospitals, and scholarship programs come together to nurture talent. From walking across the street to shadow surgeons, to returning as a medical student to teach high schoolers, to now treating children at UH Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital, his path reflects a cycle of opportunity, mentorship, and giving back.

In his journey, proximity wasn’t just about geography. It was about access, support, and community—ingredients that transformed a Cleveland student with a love for science into a physician dedicated to children’s health.