Fifty-nine soon-to-be physicians were inducted this past weekend into the St. George’s University chapter of the Gold Humanism Honor Society for the 2021-22 academic year. The prestigious award recognizes students, residents, and faculty who exemplify compassionate patient care and serve as role models, mentors, and leaders in medicine.

To celebrate the inductees, the SGU chapter held a reception at the Four Points by Sherton hotel in Flushing, NY—its first in-person ceremony since the beginning of the COVID pandemic.  School of Medicine Dean Emeritus Dr. Stephen Weitzman emceed the event, and two of last year’s inductees, and members of the 2022 graduating class, Fiyinfoluwa Soluade and Marina Tucktuck, were invited to share insights with the newest group of students who were selected to join this prestigious group.

“These students were chosen by their peers who felt they exemplified humanism in medicine. The world is in desperate need of physicians and, more specifically, humanistic physicians,” said Dr. Weitzman. “The students inducted this year are now part of an international society. We hope they will be leaders in advancing the principles of the GHHS in patient care.”

This year’s inductees completed their clinical training during the worst of the global healthcare crisis—a challenging experience for all medical students of this class. Current chapter members nominated their peers based on who demonstrated exemplary patient care, devotion to the community and the underprivileged, trustworthiness, and strong listening skills during these formative years of exposure to the field of medicine. After initial evaluation based on the nomination criteria, shortlisted nominees were then invited to submit a statement demonstrating their passion for medicine and commitment to the GHHS pledge.

“Our chapter, like others, moved its induction ceremony and activities online during the pandemic,” said Dr. Cheryl Cox-Macpherson, SGU GHHS chapter advisor, and chair of the bioethics division of SOM’s Department of Clinical Skills. “No matter the circumstance, we keep our chapter projects going each year by identifying team leaders and inviting new members to join one of our existing projects. It is genuinely rewarding to see and hear the wonderful stories that come with this work and inspire hope for compassionate and thoughtful patient care.”

The Arnold P. Gold Foundation established the Gold Humanism Honor Society (GHHS) in 2002 out of a desire to foster and acknowledge humanism during medical education. Since its inception, the GHHS has been established at more than 160 medical schools, awarding thousands of students with honors. The SGU chapter was established in 2004.

 

—Sarah Stoss

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