Each graduation season, the George Washington University’s (GW) School of Medicine and Health Sciences (SMHS) community takes immense pride in recognizing the extraordinary accomplishments of its graduates. Among these achievements is induction into the Gold Humanism Honor Society (GHHS) — a national organization that honors medical students, residents, and faculty members who exemplify the highest standards of compassionate, patient-centered care.
Founded by the Arnold P. Gold Foundation, GHHS recognizes individuals who are seen by their peers and mentors as role models in the practice of medicine. Inductees are selected through a nomination and review process in which students are recognized not just on academic achievement, but also for their “demonstrated excellence in clinical care, leadership, compassion, and dedication to service.”
Christina Prather, MD, associate professor of medicine and director of the division of geriatrics and palliative medicine, led the special induction ceremony, emphasizing what it means to be healers who deliberately bring the element of humanity into patient care each day.
To open the event, the new cohort’s student leaders presented this year’s student project, which was focused on advancing the GHHS mission through inclusivity and compassionate care. In partnership with the GW Newcomer Primary Care Clinic, the students helped serve new arrivals to the United States, with an emphasis on the unique health needs of new Americans. Often, immigrants come to the country with young children and limited resources. With that in mind, the students organized a drive for items such as baby clothing, toys, formula, and diapers for distribution at the clinic.
In addition, students participated in community education, leading an event focused on cancer screenings and education for new arrivals under the leadership of Gavin Truong, MD, RESD ’22, assistant professor of medicine, who manages the clinic.
Next, Newton Kendig, MD, clinical professor of medicine at GW SMHS, and a national leader in correctional health care and expert on the unique health needs of incarcerated populations, shared five main suggestions to help the students with their respective career journeys:
- Every patient matters (and deserves our best medicine)
- Advocate for change to advance health care systems to improve care
- Maintain your ethical principles
- The importance of listening to your patients
- Take care of yourself
“Really listen to your patients,” Kendigtold the inductees, adding, “by making that connection and building that trust — it makes all the difference, it will make you a better diagnostician.”
Underscoring the need for physicians to take care of themselves, Kendig advocated that the students should take time to attend to their needs outside of medicine, and that will give them many things — including the ability to be more focused and present with their patients.
Building on Kendig’s remarks, Lorenzo Norris, MD, interim senior associate dean for MD Programs, said that “humanism is connection.” In a world struggling for genuine human connection, Norris made clear that humanism establishes linkage and fosters hope and action in peoples’ lives. “I encourage you to use your humanistic spirit in bridging and fueling connections, regardless of identity, political party, or otherwise, because that’s just what you should do.”
In drawing the ceremony to a close, Barbara L. Bass, MD, vice president for health affairs, dean of the GW SMHS, Walter A. Bloedorn Chair of Administrative Medicine, and professor of surgery, said to the graduating students, “you are our new ambassadors, our agents, in this work; for humanism, for goodness, for connection, and for humanity. I know you can do it, and I wish you every success.”
2025 GOLD HUMANISM HONOR SOCIETY INDUCTEES
Recognizing Humanistic Exemplars
Al-Hafis Oluwatosin Adegun
Alia Mohamed Badawi
Peter Gun Baek
Kopal Mani Bansal
Jacob Reed Bjork
David Lawrence Bronstein
Phat Ly Chang
Anna Ruina Hu
Sophie Caroline Kurschner
Laura Francis Lewis
Jaya Manjunath
Shruthi Mohan
Mary Catherine Pasquale
Kunj Gautam Patel
Rohan Vandan Patil
Melina Rae Recarey
Mariam Mogib Salama
Sanjeev Saravanakumar
Puja Sasankan
Oyinlola Latifat Tijani
Rachel Michelle Treat
Amy Yi
Talia Elise Zimmerman
