Resource Guide

GHHS members routinely act as catalysts on their campuses, sparking community involvement and outreach among their non-GHHS classmates. Below are a sampling of chapter projects. The Gold Foundation awards GHHS chapter-initiated campus and community grants on a competitive basis. 

Ohio State University College of Medicine Fall Activities

True Stories

Touro University–California College of Osteopathic asked their campus to describe a situation that best exemplifies "Humanism in Medicine."  These stories should serve to remind everyone of the importance of a humanistic approach to patients, and to inspire people with real life stories of compassion and tenderness.

All E.A.R.S. (Encouraging Active Reception and Self-reflection)

All E.A.R.S. is a group that was created by the Humanism Scholars Class of 2010 at New Jersey Medical School.  The program was established to bring together a dedicated group of students who would work together with the Palliative Care Team at University Hospital to interact with patients who lacked their own support system and faced very serious illnes or end of life alone.  The students would fill a recognized void of basic human interaction and support on a more personal level than currently encountered through varying preceptorship/clerkship experiences.  Listening to patients' stories and offering support in the most difficult of times provides the students with meaningful interaction with socially isolated patients in hope of:

• creating an opportunity for self-reflection, creative expression, and personal/professional growth
• fostering our students' existing sense of compassion, empathy, altruism, and humanism
• encouraging greater interclass unity among the student body
• providing an opportunity for upperclassmen to develop important mentoring skills
• providing students an experience in management of a self-sustaining program

The group is managed by co-leaders (NJMS students) that recruit and train new volunteers at the beginning of each new academic year.  The selection and recruitment of volunterrs has expanded from 12 to over 20 students.

Gold Humanism Week

To raise awareness about the importance of humanism in healthcare, West Virginia University School of Medicine hosted the nation's first Gold Humanism Week from February 14 to February 18, 2011. The events of this week became the first acts of compassion of 41 GHHS chapters and institutions in North America as they stood in solidarity with the humanistic behavior of Tucson's Dr. Randall Friese after the tragic shootings there in January.  West Virginia's Governor Earl Ray Tomblin signed a proclamation officially declaring February 14-18, 2011 as Gold Humanism Week.

The program included

• forum for discussion of humanistic topics in medicine
• launch of the  Golden Student Star program to recognize students who display humanistic qualities daily
• art-in-medicine contest
• goods drive for the Caritas House, a community-based organization that provides support to local people affected by HIV/AIDS 
• film “Rolling”

The Week was so successful they repeated it again in 2012.

• This powerful film examines the life of three patients confined to wheelchairs because of various disabilities.  Following the showing, facilitated discussions are held about the challenges of living with a disability and/or caring for someone who lives with a disability.

Ohio State University College of Medicine, Tulane University Medical School, Jefferson Medical College

Allied Health Communication Panel

• An interactive discussion by a multidisciplinary panel of healthcare professional highlighting teamwork and good communication practices as crucial eleements to being a successful physcian.

Alpert Medical School of Brown University

Haitian Cultural Festival

• An evening to benefit the immediate relief efforts and long-term recovery and rebuilding of Haiti.  Documentary film "The Road to Fondwa," showcased with guest speakers and musical entertainment.

Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons

Gold Humanism Education Project

• Established a health education program focused on common health issues such as diabetes, hypertension, dental hygiene, substance abuse and mental health facing the clinic's underserved population.  The program led by residents and attending physicians expands exposure for medical students in the 1^st and 2d years of medical school.

University of California, Irvine

Service and Humanism: Revitalize Shelter, Dinner and Discussion

Implemented three projects 

1. rehabilitated and revitalized Cincinnati’s largest homeless shelter and student-run medical clinic located within the homeless shelter
2. Humanism and Ethics Night
3. The Schwartz Rounds – a monthly noon program for hospital staff to discuss clinical cases.

University of Cincinnati College of Medicine

The Patient's Voice

Three activities to remind colleagues of the importance of hearing the patient’s perspective. 

1. an evening with John E. Robison, author of the book “Look Me in the Eye” about his life growing up with Asperger’s Syndrome
2. identified books and films to expand the medical library’s humanism collection
3. featured the documentary “Life. Support. Music” which followed a patient and his family through the challenges of treatment for a life threatening brain injury

East Tennessee State University James H. Quillen College of Medicine

GHHS Journal

• Published booklet of poetry, fiction, nonfiction, essays, photography, etc. submitted by medical students and doctors.  The goal of the journal is to foster a fuller appreciation and understanding of the human spirit and the emotions intertwined in healing, lving, suffering and death.

Wayne State University School of Medicine

Positive Exposure

• With the objective of educating medical students on how to meet the concerns of those people at risk for genetic disorders, Rich Guidotti was invited to exhibit his images "Positive Exposure: The Spirit of Difference."

Penn State College of Medicine

Cameron's Arc

• Viewing of the documentary "Cameron's Arc: Creating a Full Life" followed by a panel discussion.  This film identifies the roles of health professionals in helping familities provide care at home for medically fragile children.

Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine

Take Your Resident to Dinner

• Resident Appreciation Dinner run completely by students.  Third and fourth year students nominated and wrote about the residents whom they felt were the most positive role models.  As indicated by the students, "Moments of teaching and encouragement have a significant impact on the career paths and future practice of the medical students you encounter."

Robert Wood Johnson Medical School

Beautification Project

• Students share their creative talents with hospital patients and staff by displaying their artwork at the UCI Medical Center to create a healing environment.

University of California, Irvine

Hartville Mirgrant Clinic Renovation

• Renovated the building and grounds of the Hartville Migrant Clinic, which serves 610 registered migrant workers and their families.  With a GHHS grant and additional funds raised by students, they were able to renovate the interior and exterior of the clinic while honing skills in leadership and project management.

Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine

Gifts of Gold

• Collect hats, gloves and toiletry items for the homeless in Morgantown and Charleston, VA to be given out at holiday dinner prepared and served by the students.

West Virginia University School of Medicine

Service Day

• Members from the class of 2014 sacrificed their last day of freedom before medical school to volunteer with the underserved in their new community and to meet people who shared their interest in service and humanism.

Gold Card

• The Gold Card represents a concerete way to recognize those who most embody humanism and compassion in the Jefferson community.  Nominated by their colleagues and peers, Gold Card recipients are recongized as leaders who improve the quality of patient care by demonstrating that healing begins with compassion and trust.

Humanism Cafe

• Participants have an opportunity to discuss modern day ethical issues and reflect on significant instances of humanism in medicine. This occurs every two weeks at someone's home with a pot-luck dinner.

Humanism Retreat

• Annual Humanism Retreat gives current and incoming GHHS members an opportunity to reflect on their approach to the practice of medicine.

Jefferson College of Medicine

 Take Your Resident to D

 Big Brothers

• Mentored junior high school students in two inner city schools.

University of Alberta

• Organized a cross-cultural lecture series for the campus with speakers from the community.
• Conceived and planned Healing Art Medical Student Retreat Day for fourth year medical student reflection and growth, the goal of which is to bring fourth year students together at the close of their medical school education to reflect on their clinical experiences as they prepare for their future careers. (Pre-Match Day is now an institutionalized event.)

University of Buffalo

• Developed a project with local high school teenagers around various medical case scenarios, moderated by GHHS members. Cases included topics such as depression, substance abuse, breaking bad news and adolescent concerns.
• Developed a program by which GHHS members recognize select medical staff, ranging from cleaning staff to physicians, who display humanism, compassion and dedication to patients in a clinical setting. Those chosen are conferred a "Gold Star" plaque and $100 at the annual GHHS induction ceremony.

University of California, Irvine  

Inaugural UCSD GHHS Grand Rounds

• Two lectures by Dr. James Duffy. "Chiron's Cave: The Healers Journey into Healing," the story of the Greek mythological healer, provided practical insights into the attributes of a healer and techniques for developing these attributes. "Making Connection: The Art and Science of Compassion" focused on how modern clinicians can provide more compassionate care for their patients and improve their job satisfaction and personal wellness.

University of California San Diego 

• Grand rounds on humanism in medicine open to the entire medical school community, including students, residents, faculty, practicing doctors and the public.

Creighton University

• Crises Nursery Rehabilitation - rejuvenated a local homeless shelter
• Patterned after University of Buffalo, organized a Pre-Match Day retreat, now institutionalized; 4th year students wrote post cards to 2nd year students as they begin their journey on the wards, with the hopes of passing the tradition of humanism. Then each fourth year was given the option to write a letter to her/himself to be mailed six months into their intern year, focusing on what they think they will need to hear to keep them going.
• Organized an After Match Day to reflect on experiences and learn about transitioning to residency.

University of Minnesota

• Utilizing all Foundation programs to create a  humanism continuum, including getting GHHS members to volunteer to mentor young students in underserved areas of Piscataway, to assist with teaching in the Doctoring course and in Physical Diagnosis.

University of New Jersey Medical and Dental – Piscataway

Reach Out and Show You Care

• Week of caring to share information about safety and prevention with the medical center and College of Medicine employees, their children and families, as well as the senior population in their community.

Penn State Univesity College of Medicine

•  Organized and sponsored the first annual 5K Run/Walk to benefit a student-run health center that serves the many Rochester-area residents who lack health insurance.

 University of Rochester

• Coming alongside Camp of Dreams, a well-established Chicago nonprofit program, educate financially disadvantaged young people on issues like hypertension, diabetes, CPR and first aid, as well as topics like substance abuse, domestic violence and STDs. On several Community Days throughout the year, the GHHS CMS Chapter will conduct interactive, personalized sessions with them and their family members.

Rosalind Franklin—Chicago Medical School

• Established a Service Corps that has a website and posts service opportunities for students.

University of South Florida

GHHS Cultural Evening

St. George's University    

• Established the Physician Heal Thyself seminar, which was approved as a mandatory curricular requirement for first and second yar COM students. It consisted of two half-day sessions and workshops introducing students to the concept of physician wellness.

Texas A&M

• Established Humanism Rounds during the internal medicine clerkship rotations to provide a safe and welcoming environment for students to openly reflect on their development as a physician and their socialization into the medical ward culture. Group reflection sessions are led by faculty facilitators, trained by GHHS members, and focus on improved self-awareness and discussion of patient-doctor relationships.
• Completed a project entitled, "Humanism Pocketbook." They gathered humanism in medicine stories, poems, and reflections from medical students, residents, faculty and patients and compiled them into a booklet called "Chicken Soup for the UW Medical Student Soul." This booklet will be presented to all incoming medical students at their white coat ceremony.

University of Wisconsin

Ethics Night – "Access to Care: Ethics of Healthcare Rationing." Aired on PBS program re Cancer Care Policy.
Unversity of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston

 Rush Medical

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