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by Cindy Abole
Public Relations
Organizers of the Paul B. Underwood Jr. Chapter of the Gold Humanism
Honor Society (GHHS) recently recognized 24 model medical students for
exhibiting outstanding compassionate care and empathetic qualities to
their patients, their families and health care colleagues. The luncheon
event was held July 29 at the Wickliffe House as a way to honor senior
medical students in this annual peer-selection process.
Recognized were fourth-year medical students: Martin Avery, Andres
Ayuso, Robert C. Brownlee IV, Annie Chen, Matthew Dettmer, Aundrea
Eason, Jamie Fraser, Parker Gaddy, Robbie Hendry, Arnold Hite Jr., John
Korman, James Kuhlen Jr., Ashley Kuklentz, Ann Leylek, Courtney
McFaddin, John Nance Jr., Thomas Nessler III, Elizabeth Norman, William
Perkins Jr., Cassandra Stewart, Robert Taylor Jr., Karin Taylor, Juan
Varela and Jennifer Zurosky.
Established on campus through the College of Medicine (COM) in 2004,
the Gold Humanism Honor Society began recognizing and inducting
students from each fourth-year medical school class. In 2005, students
and COM leadership renamed the chapter in honor of Underwood, a
long-standing clinician and educator working in the dean’s office and
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Underwood has long been
recognized for his dedication to students, mentoring, leadership and
compassion.
“It’s a special honor to be here honoring you at this luncheon,” said
Underwood, who has worked with the college and admission committee
since 2000. Underwood reminded the newly tapped inductees to work hard
in their profession and never forget their role in society.
The event also was attended by COM leadership including Dean Jerry
Reves, M.D., Jeff Wong, M.D., senior associate dean for medical
education and faculty advisor to the society chapter, Underwood and
other colleagues.
“I share in the enthusiasm of this day and recognize each of you for
being selected to this society,” said Reves. “There’s no better honor
than to be recognized by your peers. I want to say that I feel Paul is
very deserving to have this chapter named in his honor. For nine years,
he devoted his time in helping to make the medical school class
selections and developing many talented people that are successful
doctors today.”
After the welcome and lunch, inductees were introduced, received a GHHS
pin, which they pinned on each other, and pledged an oath to be active
advocates in humanism while encouraging professionalism.
“I’m honored that my classmates chose me,” said Avery, a fourth-year
medical student from New York. “Being selected in this way and getting
recognized at this luncheon is much more than I expected.”
Colombia, South America native Varela is grateful to the medical
faculty and his peers for selecting him. “All of us are out there doing
our best to provide the best patient care. Getting this recognition is
a fantastic feeling. It inspires me to work harder as a good role model
for patient care.”
The Arnold P. Gold Foundation sponsors the Gold Humanism in Medicine
Award, which supports nurturing and caring in medicine. More than 80
medical schools have active chapters or recognize students with this
award each year.
Nephrologist honored for dedication to excellence
Rachel L. Sturdivant, M.D., assistant professor, Division of
Nephrology, was recognized in May as a role model physician and mentor
to medical students, residents and colleagues and received the Leonard
Tow Humanism in Medicine Award. Sturdivant also was inducted into the
Gold Humanism Honor Society with medical students in the July 29
ceremony.
 Dr. Rachel L. Sturdivant pins Martin Avery during the July 29 ceremony.
Sturdivant, who has been
at MUSC for nine years, was honored for her dedication to medical
excellence, accessibility and enthusiasm to students, leadership and
compassion in clinical care.
The Alabama native received her medical degree from the University of
Alabama in Birmingham in 1998. She arrived at MUSC in 2001 to complete
an internal medicine residency and later, a Nephrology fellowship
under David Ploth, M.D., professor and director, Division of
Nephrology. She has served as associate program director of
Nephrology’s Fellowship Training Program since 2004.
Throughout her time at MUSC, she’s contributed to the care of patients
with chronic kidney disease and focused on meeting the needs of
patients and offers guidance for long-term care. She’s also
participated in the medical education of students, residents and
fellows.
“It’s a wonderful honor and experience to be recognized,” said
Sturdivant. “I’m impressed with the care delivered by so many students
and practitioners at MUSC, and I’m honored to work alongside them. I
believe listening to and caring for patients is a privilege and that
the relief of suffering, however it presents, is our goal as
physicians.”
The Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine Award, which is sponsored by the
Arnold P. Gold Foundation, was created in 1991 honoring its namesake, a
lifelong student and teacher, for his commitment to innovative medical
research, fostering social justice and humanism in medicine.
Friday, Sept. 4, 2009
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