The Gold Humanism Honor Society of the Wayne State University School of Medicine is seeking nominations from students, residents and faculty members for the Arnold P. Gold Foundation's Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine Award.
The award is presented annually on Match Day to a graduating medical student and a faculty member who best demonstrate the foundation's ideals of outstanding compassion in the delivery of care, respect for patients, their families, and health care colleagues, as well as demonstrated clinical excellence.
Please submit your nominations here by 11:59 p.m. Feb. 18. Photos of all eligible seniors are included on the nomination form.
The following characteristics are expected of award recipients:
Graduating Medical Student
Student nominees must be fourth-year Gold Humanism Honor Society members who:
Consistently demonstrate compassion and empathy in the delivery of care to patients
Illustrate professional and ethical behavior by example
Show respect for everyone
Demonstrate cultural sensitivity in working with patients and family members of diverse backgrounds
Display effective communication and listening skills -- good rapport with patients
Understand patients' need for interpretation of complex medical diagnosis and treatment, and makes an effort to assure patient comprehension -- shows respect for the patient's viewpoint
Helps to articulate the patient's concerns to attending physicians and others
Are sensitive to the patient's psychological wellbeing
Are cooperative, easy to work with -- engender trust and confidence
Are willing to help others and, when necessary, willing to seek help from others
Display concern for the general welfare of the community and engage in volunteer activities
Seek and accept criticism, using it to improve performance
Are committed to reflection and objective self-evaluation of his/her skills
Display competence in scientific endeavors
Medical School Faculty Member
Faculty nominees do not need to be GHHS members, but must be associated with one of the institutions involved in teaching WSU School of Medicine students. Previous Tow faculty awardees, staff and residents are not eligible for the award. The faculty award winner will receive automatic induction into GHHS and will also be invited to be the keynote speaker for next year's White Coat Ceremony.
Candidates must:
Consistently demonstrate compassion and empathy in the delivery of care to patients
Serve as a role model -- illustrate professional behavior by example
Be approachable and accessible to students
Welcome opportunities for teaching and one-on-one mentorships with students
Exhibit enthusiasm and skill in professional and personal interactions with students
Show respect for everyone
Demonstrate cultural sensitivity in working with patients and family members of diverse backgrounds
Display effective communication and listening skills
Understand patients' needs for interpretation of complex medical diagnoses and treatments and make an effort to ensure patient comprehension -- show respect for the patient's viewpoint
Be sensitive to the patient's psychological wellbeing
Effectively identify emotional concerns of patients and family members
Engender trust and confidence
Adhere to professional and ethical standards
Commit to reflection and objective self-evaluation of his/her skills
Display competence in scientific endeavors
Previous Tow faculty winners
Barbara Bosch, M.D. (2017)
Noreen Rossi, M.D. (2016)
Mary Morreale, M.D. (2015)
Sarkis Kouyoumjian, M.D. (2014)
James Meza, M.D. (2013)
Margit Chadwell, M.D. (2012)
Yvonne Friday, M.D. (2011)
Eric Ayers, M.D.
Robert Frank, M.D.
Maryjean Schenk, M.D., M.P.H.
Michael Stellini, M.D.
Katherine Ling-McGeorge
Diane Levine, M.D.
Elisabeth Heath, M.D.
Lawrence Schwartz, M.D.