Gold Humanism Honor Society
recognizes contributions of Underwood
In honor of Paul Underwood, M.D., professor of obstetrics and
gynecology, Department of OB/GYN, the Gold Humanism Honor Society will
begin a new chapter at MUSC named for the physician.The society is a national humanism group which selects third-year medical students, who are peer-selected in classwide voting, to honor humanistic qualities on the wards.
Dr. Paul Underwood“He has long been a favorite teacher and mentor here, and he immediately came to mind when we were thinking of someone who showed all the qualities the society value,“ said Julie Gillespie, who is organizing the chapter along with student Nic Noblet. Most schools choose to name their chapter after a worthy clinician.
The Gold Humanism Honor Society honors senior medical students, residents, role-model physician teachers and other exemplars recognized for “demonstrated excellence in clinical care, leadership, compassion and dedication to service.” Organized to elevate the values of humanism and professionalism within the field of medicine and its constituent institutions, the society is becoming integrated into the educational environment.
The GHHS is an advocate for humanism through activities on campus and continuing involvement with its inclusive membership. Moreover, it helps to establish relationships with practicing physicians. Election of exemplars to the Gold Humanism Honor Society makes a significant statement to medical school faculty, students, and the public that an institution places high value on the interpersonal skills and attitudes essential for excellent patient care.
Inspiration for the GHHS began in the late 1990s, when medical educators and residency program directors expressed the need for a mechanism to identify applicants for internships and residencies who have both outstanding clinical and interpersonal skills. Thanks to a series of grants from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, deans, medical educators, and experts in assessment convened to explore and research the viability of a honor society to promote humanistic values and behaviors and transform the culture of medicine. At the end of the exploration, pilot chapters were begun at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, University of Iowa College of Medicine, and UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. Currently, 48 schools of medicine have GHHS chapters and an additional 15 are expected to join the ranks in 2005-06.
For information on GHHS, visit http://www.humanism-in-medicine.org/.
Friday, Oct. 21, 2005
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