Student recognized with WVU School of Medicine Patricia Fedeles Award

West Virginia University School of Medicine student Kate Gelman has been selected as the recipient of the 2024 Patricia “Pat” Fedeles Award for Compassion in Physical Diagnosis.

The peer-nominated award is presented to a second-year medical student who portrays ongoing compassion, friendliness and an overall caring attitude toward patients, peers, faculty and staff following the completion of Physical Diagnosis and Clinical Integration coursework. The course sequence includes innovative simulation and standardized patient encounters in which specially trained members of the community role play realistic clinical situations to help students learn proper exam techniques. These experiences occur in the WVU Health Sciences David and Jo Ann Shaw Center for Simulation Training and Education for Patient Safety (STEPS).

“Kate Gelman is one of not only our brightest students but also one of the kindest,” Devanie Carpenter, Physical Diagnosis and Clinical Integration team member at STEPS, said. “I have seen her time and time again working to help her fellow students with anything they need. She always comes into her encounters at STEPS with a kind smile and upbeat attitude ready to learn whenever she can. She will make an excellent physician and I believe will have a very bright future.”

Gelman, who will be recognized at an awards ceremony in May, explains that they community at WVU has been instrumental in her learning.

“I am grateful to be a member of such a warm, compassionate community here at WVU,” she said. “I was welcomed with open arms, and I am grateful to be able to give back in any small way – whether through contribution to research, volunteering in the community or even a kind interaction with a patient. I am inspired by my colleagues and teachers every day to treat every person with compassion, patience and empathy.”

Fedeles served as coordinator for the WVU School of Medicine Introduction to Clinical Medicine and Physical Diagnosis courses from 1992 until 2006 when she retired. She passed away in January 2007 following a battle with cancer. Fedeles enjoyed working with students and teaching future healthcare professionals proper care techniques. She was known for always treating people fairly and with a caring attitude, and she emphasized treating each patient with unconditional compassion and understanding.

Pictures above (left to right): Theresa Marthey, Darrell Fedeles, Gelman and Cheryl Walton