Gold Humanism Honor Society

In 2006, the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health initiated a Gold Humanism Honor Society (GHHS) chapter.

The Gold Humanism Honor Society, the Gold Foundation's newest initiative, 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 fast becoming integrated into the educational environment. 

The Gold Humanism Honor Society is a steadfast advocate for humanism through activities on campus and has 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 that are essential for excellent patient care. 

Inspiration for the Gold Humanism Honor Society 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 were 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, 91 schools of medicine have GHHS chapters.

Annually, each member of the third-year class at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health nominates peers for inclusion in the Gold Humanism Honor Society. Peer nominations are then forwarded to medical school administration and GHHS members (students, faculty and staff) for review.

Similar to Alpha Omega Alpha, no more than 10 percent of the student body will be invited to join the Gold Humanism Honor Society annually. Those who accept this invitation will plan and perform a service project during their fourth year of medical school. Past UW School of Medicine and Public Health GHHS classes collected essays for a "Chicken Soup for the UW Medical Student Soul" publication, held monthly "Humanism Rounds" and hosted a conference on "Empathy in Medicine."

Gold Humanism Honor Society Members 2011-2012

• Benjamin Abeyta, abeyta@wisc.edu
• Emily Abeyta, eholtan@wisc.edu
• Aaron Arredondo, aarredondo@wisc.edu
• Kerstin Austin, kepriest@wisc.edu
• Michelle Clark-Forsting, clarkforstin@wisc.edu
• Carolynn Dude, dude@wisc.edu
• Lindsay Griffin, lgriffin2@wisc.edu
• Joe Hippensteel, jhippensteel@wisc.edu
• Mark Kaeppler, mjkaeppler@wisc.edu
• Ian McLaren, imclaren@wisc.edu
• Rebecca McSorley, rmmcsorl@wisc.edu
• Zorawar Noor, noor@wisc.edu
• Megan Schultz, mlschultz@wisc.edu
• Shefaali Sharma, sharma2@wisc.edu
• Jim Spencer, jpspencer@wisc.edu
• Caitlin Wallach, cwallach@wisc.edu
• Tahlia Weis, tweis2@wisc.edu
• Joel Wood, jwood2@wisc.edu