HILL: GOLD HUMANISM HONOREES SHOULD CARE FOR PATIENTS' DIGNITY

The third annual Gold Humanism Honor Society dinner and induction ceremony recognized future doctors who exemplified the characteristics of a caring physician.

Dr. J. Edward Hill, keynote speaker for the Sept. 20 event and past president of the American Medical Association, told the senior medical students that they were the generation that will change the state of health care in America. He also said doctors should care about the dignity of each patient.

"Medicine boils down to science, caring and ethics,” Hill said. 

Each of the 22 inductees, all senior medical students, received a Gold Humanism Honor Society pin and a certificate and read the honor society’s pledge during the ceremony. The Gold Humanism Honor Society is a national group that honors senior medical students, residents, role-model physician-teachers, and others who demonstrate excellence in clinical care, leadership, compassion, and dedication to service.

The Arnold P. Gold Foundation founded the honor society in 2001. Drs. Arnold and Sandra Gold, and a group of colleagues, medical educators and community leaders started the foundation in 1988 to nurture and preserve the tradition of caring physicians.

Dr. Rick Boyte, associate professor of pediatrics at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, offered students some insight into the importance of connecting with the patient. He said the faculty has a huge responsibility to teach residents and students what it means to be a good physician.

“What patients care about is how much you care about them. They never ask what certifications I have,” he said.

Dr. Dan Jones, UMC vice chancellor for health affairs, welcomed those in attendance and talked about a recent speaking engagement on behalf of the American Heart Association. Jones said he was impressed with the other guest speakers at the event, from former President Bill Clinton and California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

But “the group I will be most impressed with this week will be the people in this room because of what you’re doing with your lives and the commitment to what you do in the field of medicine,” he said.

The 2007 inductees are Laura Jamison Carver, Corey Mitchell Coleman, Martha Ann Dempsey, Laura Ellen Fincher, Richard Kirksey Heard, John Clark Henegan Jr., Reed Blanchard Hogan III, Rachel Nicole Hull, Jennifer Dawn Lowery, Bethany Marie Machost, Tyler Gordon Marks, Amber Hope McIlwain, Julia Lane Mitchell, Carter Anne Payne, Laura Kathryn Piazza, James Daryl Pollard, Bethany Joy Porter, Tara Lynn Rosenberg, Jeremy David Smitherman, Sarah Suzanne Abston Sterling, Jennifer Rea Thomas, and Jana Leigh Wright.

The first class of the Dr. D. Jeanette Pullen Chapter was inducted in 2005. Pullen, one of Mississippi’s most recognized doctors, joined the Medical Center faculty in 1969 to establish the Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology. Her life’s work has centered on caring for children with cancer.

—Patrice Sawyer Guilfoyle (10-1-07)

2007-09-28 00:00:00 17374