Quillen to join national Gold Humanism Honor Society advisory council

Kathryn Quillen, M.D., a graduate in the West Virginia University School of Medicine M.D. Class of 2023 and future resident in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, recently was appointed to the Gold Humanism Honor Society national advisory council for a one-year term.

The national advisory council is composed of students, residents, fellows, deans, institution officials, program directors, practicing physicians, GHHS chapter advisors and others to advise and recommend policies and activities for GHHS chapters.

Quillen stated that part of her responsibilities with the national organization will focus on driving engagement and rekindling connections with organization alumni.

“I know that transitioning to residency can be difficult with long, 24-hour shifts and new responsibilities. But, reaffirming the importance of and committing to the patient-centric compassion that GHHS stands for is a wonderful reminder to take that extra step and take an extra minute to continue the conversation with the patient and allow them to be heard,” she said.

“Helping to develop and take those initiatives from the national council and implement them here at WVU will not only help our members continue to provide excellent care, but also remind me of the value of being a compassionate physician myself,” she added.

During her senior year of medical school, Quillen was the president of the WVU GHHS chapter. She worked with her peers to implement several initiatives, including recognizing WVU clinicians who embrace the humanistic side of medicine during Gold Humanism Week, celebrating residents during Thank a Resident Day by visiting them at the hospital and sponsoring the Rape and Domestic Violence Information Center Walk where they walked in support and solidarity with survivors.

GHHS is a national honor society that honors medical students, residents, role-model physician teachers and other exemplars recognized for demonstrated excellence in clinical care, leadership, compassion and dedication to service. It was founded by the Arnold P. Gold Foundation for Humanism in Medicine, which champions compassionate, collaborative and scientifically excellent care.

WVU’s chapter was established in 2008 by six faculty members with histories of exceptional service to the school and West Virginia as a whole – a mission they continue to emphasize with each new cohort.