LCME accreditation

The Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell (ZSOM) is accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME), lcme@aamc.org, the national accrediting body for all U.S. and Canadian medical schools leading to the MD degree. The School received Full Accreditation status in June 2015 and after a survey visit in October 2019, achieved the full eight-year accreditation term in February 2020.

Once accredited, medical schools must continually monitor their performance, maintain compliance with LCME standards, and prepare for a comprehensive review visit every eight years. The accreditation process, which includes conducting a self-study, collecting relevant data, and hosting a site visit, typically takes place over 18 to 24 months.

Upcoming Review and Community Participation

The Zucker School of Medicine is currently preparing to undergo the accreditation process once again, with a site visit anticipated in AY 2027-2028. As with the previous accreditation cycle, the participation of the ZSOM community—including faculty, staff, and students—will be essential to ensure that the institution maintains its full accreditation status.

This website is a hub to help you stay up-to-date on new developments, share your feedback, and understand how the overall process affects you as a student, faculty, or staff member. This is an exciting time for ZSOM and we look forward to sharing this journey with each of you!

Why is LMCE accreditation important?

LCME reaccreditation is critical. It enables:

Enrolled students to be eligible for the USMLE and to apply for a residency accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME);
The School's eligibility for select federal grants;
An opportunity for an in-depth review to ensure that our medical education programs are not only in accordance with LCME accreditation standards but that they support our mission to redefine medical education.

What do I need to know?

In the coming months, our community will begin to prepare for the upcoming accreditation visit from the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME). This important process ensures our medical education program meets national standards of excellence. Faculty, staff, and students will work together to review our programs, highlight strengths, and address areas for improvement. Student perspectives will be especially valuable as we demonstrate our shared commitment to quality and continuous growth.

Your role as a student

Students play a vital role in the LCME accreditation process. Through surveys, focus groups, and direct meetings with the site visit team, your feedback helps shape how our school grows and improves. The Independent Student Analysis (ISA) created by students provides your perspective on your medical education experience and is a key part of the review. Your input ensures that student perspectives remain at the heart of our continued excellence.

Continuous Quality Improvement

Continuous quality improvement (CQI) is our ongoing commitment to strengthening every part of the medical education program. Students, faculty, and staff all play a vital role by sharing feedback, reviewing outcomes, and helping identify opportunities for improvement. Through regular evaluation, collaboration, and open communication, we ensure that our programs continue to evolve and reflect the highest standards in medical education.