First Annual Gold Humanism Honor Society Induction

Marian University College of Osteopathic Medicine adds new members to national organization

MU COM
Indianapolis, Ind.
– Marian University College of Osteopathic Medicine (MU-COM) inducted its first members into the Gold Humanism Honor Society on Monday, March 28, 2016. Twenty medical students and four faculty members were selected for this honor. Immediately following the first annual induction ceremony the theme of humanism in medicine continued with a talk from a prominent physician, Dr. Patch Adams.

The Gold Humanism Honor Society (GHHS), an Arnold P. Gold Foundation program, recognizes future and present doctors across the country that place emphasis on compassionate, patient-centered care. Marian University College of Osteopathic Medicine (MU-COM) Class of 2017 students were nominated for this honor by their peers, and then chosen by a selection committee based on an essay competition.

“I am so excited that MU-COM has supported efforts to begin a chapter of the Gold Humanism Honor Society,” said Haley Volk, MU-COM GHHS Chapter President. “The key value of humanistic patient care meshes with the tenants of osteopathic medicine.”

Faculty inductees were selected from nominations submitted by students involved with the Meaningful Medicine Mentoring Program at MU-COM. One faculty member, Dr. Richard Halstead, D.O., additionally received the Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine Award presented by the Arnold P. Gold Foundation. The recipient was identified using the “I.E., CARES” criteria – Integrity, Excellence, Compassion, Altruism, Respect, Empathy, Service.  

Following the induction ceremony, the evening continued with the Lead from the Heart Professional Ethics Lecture Series presenting Dr. Patch Adams. In his lecture entitled, “The Joy of Caring”, he spoke about his life journeys, trials, and tribulations. Dr. Adams focused on several proponents of caring including friendship, finding the calling of your faith, and the act of thinking.

“I love thinking,” stated Dr. Adams. “Thinking says there are solutions. The mind is … an instrument and loves to work for you.”

The compassionate approaches presented by Dr. Adams are well aligned with the mission of the Gold Humanism Honor Society. The entire evening was centered on honoring individuals for their altruistic approach to medicine. GHHS members are expected to serve their community and profession as selfless leaders and role models. Dr. Adams was an excellent example of how to do exactly that. 

Class of 2017 inductees:

Brett Barnes

Joseph Basedow

Gabrielle Butts

Danielle Claflin

Emily Craig

Amanda Day

Catherine Fiori

Kirsten Fitz

Aaron Golitko

Christina Harris

Emma Hegwood

Chelsea Heibel

Brian Kaltenecker

Katy Kirby

Katharine Neff

Allison Pressimone

Craig Sewell

Jenna Thiele

Haley Volk

Zachary Wright.

Faculty inductees:

Dr. Richard Halstead, DO*

Dr. Nihal Bakeer, MD

Dr. James Lemons, MD

Dr. Theresa Rohr-Kirchgraber, MD

 

* Recipient of the Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine Award

 

 

Special thanks to Dr. Emily Young and Stephanie Gray for all of their help with MU-COM’s GHHS Chapter and the Induction Ceremony.