The first ever GHHS Solidarity Day for Compassionate Patient Care was held just weeks after the tragic shootings in Tucson, ignited by the humanistic actions of Randall Friese, M.D., the University of Arizona trauma surgeon who was the first to treat Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords. Dr. Friese struck a chord when he said that the most important thing he did for her in the ER was to take her hand and tell her that she was in the hospital and would be cared for. GHHS rallied more than 40 medical schools and centers in the US and Canada to demonstrate-through a variety of activities-their support for Dr. Friese and their commitment to compassionate, patient-centered care.

 

In our second year, we had more schools with more diverse projects across the country:

 

2012 GHHS National Day of Solidarity Participants

University of Alberta Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry (Canada)
Promoted humanism in medicine through information display.  Encouraged students to spend extra time with patients. 

University of Arizona- Phoenix  COM
GHHS members traveled to Tucson to stand in solidarity with University of Arizona-Tucson members.   Delivered baskets of candy and cards.  

University of Arizona- Tucson COM
Participants held hands in human chain as symbol of Solidarity Day.  Enjoyed performance by choral group and poetry reading.
 
Warren Alpert SOM/Brown University
GHHS students on rotation embodied quote from Mother Teresa, “Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless.”

University of California- Irvine SOM
Thank you cards and candy hearts given to nursing and ancillary staff.

University of California- San Diego SOM
Presented “Stories of Medicine,” a panel discussion of 4th year medical students.

Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons
Organized “Caring is....” a project whereby students responded to this quote.  Responses to be displayed.

University of Connecticut SOM
Presented video and information table on humanism.

E. Tennessee State University COM
Prepared and served food at veteran’s nursing home.  Distributed gold ribbons to medical students.  

Albert Einstein COM
Distributed humanism stickers to people in lobby of hospitals.  Created and manned "Caring Booth".

Englewood Hospital (NJ)
Organized information table with humanism materials and distributed bracelets in main area of hospital.

University of Florida COM
Distributed thank you cards and performed random acts of kindness.

George Washington University SOM
Students served desserts and healthy snacks in hospital atrium.   Distributed goody bags to staff.

Georgia Health Sciences University
Organized “Craft Day” for kids at Medical College of Georgia.

Hofstra North Shore- LIJ School of Medicine
Medical students volunteered at local homeless shelter and soup kitchen. Organized food bags and "wrapped" towels with shampoo and soap for homeless to use at shelter.

Howard University COM
Handed out ribbons and information on humanism.

University of Illinois- Peoria COM
“Peoria Cares” event, including creation of a community journal of humanism examples.

Jefferson Medical College
Delivered baked goods to ICU family waiting rooms and “Humanism Valentines” to staff members.

University of Kansas SOM
Thank you notes and candy to staff.

University of Maryland SOM
GHHS members wore red and pink. Asked patients, “What do you hope to do after leaving the hospital?”

University of Massachusetts Medical School
Cards and gifts of appreciation presented to nursing staff in the ICU  for their compassionate care of dying patients and their families.

University of Minnesota Medical School
Presented speaker on identifying and stopping child abuse to raise awareness of this issue.

University of Missouri-Kansas City SOM
Made and delivered Valentine’s cards to patients.

UMDNJ Medical School-Newark
Joined hands in human circle in main plaza, along with a moment of silence and reflections.

University of New Mexico SOM
GHHS chapter designed and distributed "Heroes of Humanism" stickers to everyone around the hospital.

NY Medical College
Sponsored program, “The Art of Perception: Improving Your Observations and Communication through Art.”

Northeast Ohio Medical University
Distributed heart stickers in recognition of acts of humanism.

Ohio State University College of Medicine
GHHS members provided dishes of Hershey's hugs and kisses to each break room at various hospitals. Each dish included a sign explaining the importance of this day and thanked the staff. Medical student a cappella group sang to patients and staff throughout hospitals.

Oregon Health and Sciences University
Asked health care providers to spend extra time with patients.

Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science
Hosted two speakers on humanism in medicine.

University of South Alabama
Celebrated a week of humanism events.   Activities included distributing ribbons, thank you notes, baked goods, and flowers.

Medical University of South Carolina
Students prepared goodies and thank you cards for the staff around the entire hospital campus.

University of Tennessee COM
Recognized a special hospital staff member, an acute care nurse practitioner, and presented him with a certificate of appreciation.

Texas A&M Health Science Center COM
Decorated 400 inspirational cards for patients.

UTMB- Galveston
Created gift baskets for all ICU waiting rooms.  Presented thank you cards to staff members.

University of Toledo COM
“Well Read” book cart made rounds to patients.

Touro University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Distributed red wristbands and asked students and faculty to reflect on Dr. Friese’s act of humanism.

Tulane University SOM
Asked students, residents and faculty to spend extra time with patients.   Valentine’s cards handed out.

University of Vermont COM
Gold ribbons distributed.

University of Virginia SOM
Taped slips of paper with inspirational sayings to foil-wrapped chocolate hearts and distributed them to clinical units and at “Medical Center Hour.”

Wayne State University SOM
Delivered thank you cards to hospital nurses.

West Virginia University SOM
Held 2nd annual Gold Humanism Week.  Main event was a noon-time lecture series.  Sold ribbons with proceeds to be donated to a local shelter.

University of Wisconsin SOM
Presented thank you notes to house staff and medical professionals.

 

 

What will your school do to show solidarity next year?

 

 

Click here for info on GHHS Solidarity Day 2011