School of Medicine recognizes compassion in practicing in medicine

The WVU School of Medicine recently recognized 13 medical students, two residents and two faculty members for their compassion in the practice of medicine. All were inducted into the chapter of the Gold Humanism Honor Society at a ceremony held on June 2 at the WVU Health Sciences Center.

Inductees include Class of 2019 students Quinten Brubaker, Jeff Cannon, Britney Harris, Jeffrey Holmes, Lauren Howdershelt , Jennifer John, Brock Karolcik, Matthew Lokant, Mary Noonan , Tyler Overholt, Trey Vanek, Joseph Watson and Zachary Werner. Medical residents include: Jodi Paige Cook, M.D., Pediatrics, and Kristan Hornsby, M.D., Obstetrics and Gynecology. Faculty members include Catherine Feaga, D.O., Family Medicine—Eastern Campus, and Cassie Leonard, M.D., Obstetrics and Gynecolgy.

The Society promotes humanism and professionalism throughout the continuum of physician education from the first day in medical school until retirement from medical practice. The faculty takes great pride in training respectful and compassionate physicians in conjunction with their rigorous training. Individuals who demonstrate integrity, excellence, compassion, altruism, respect, empathy and service are honored by induction into the society.

The ability to recognize and attend to the personal needs of a patient is as essential in medicine as providing the most technologically advanced procedures and care. Relieving the suffering of a fellow human being – physical, social, emotional or spiritual – not just eradicating the disease or treating the injury, marks a compassionate physician.

These individuals were nominated by their peers by answering a series of questions including, ‘who would you want as your own personal physician?’ and ‘who would you want to care for a loved one like your own mother?’ Humanism in medicine describes relationships between physicians and their patients that are respectful and compassionate. It is reflected in attitudes and behaviors that are sensitive to the values, autonomy, cultural and ethnic backgrounds of others.

This message is carried into communities across West Virginia through the outreach programs and projects sponsored by the School of Medicine. West Virginia is the only state where all counties are included in Appalachia, and the School’s training in cultural diversity includes a unique module on the socioeconomic and social mores of this population.

The WVU chapter of GHHS also works closely with the Health Sciences Center Faculty Development office to engage faculty in all health sciences disciplines such as nursing, dentistry, pharmacy and public health in role modeling and educating health professionals in the area of humanism.

The Gold Humanism Honor Society at West Virginia University School of Medicine was founded in 2008 by six faculty members with more than 140 years of collective service to the School and to the people of West Virginia. The WVU Chapter was made possible with a grant from The Arnold P. Gold Foundation.