UH Med Now

The Gold Humanism Honor Society (GHHS) at the John A. Burns School of Medicine (JABSOM) has grown with the recent induction of 10 members of the MD Class of 2016, and for the first time at JABSOM, with an MD Resident also nominated and selected by the GHHS committee.

Faculty are nominated by the fourth year medical student class class and the top two are selected by the GHHS committee.

The ceremony on April 25, 2015 at the Tamarind Banquet Room at Kapi`olani Community College saw the induction of, from the MD Class of 2016: January May Andaya, Brian Imada, Meghann Lau, Vivian Lin, Momal Mazhar, Mary Rose Nino, Lauren Oshima, Valynn Pham, Tara Reed, and Evan Taniguchi, pictured above.

The MD Residents selected for this first MD Resident GHHS Class are Dr. Michael Tom (JABSOM, 2013) and Dr. Kenneth Ortiz, (JABSOM 2014), pictured above. Also becoming new honorees are Dr. Linda Anegawa and Dr. David Horio, admitted as “attendings” (attendings are faculty physicians who supervise medical students, MD Residents and fellows.)

Established in 2002, the Gold Humanism Honor Society is made up of individuals who have been recognized for practicing patient-centered medical care by showing integrity, excellence, compassion, altruism, respect, and empathy. The society’s mission is “To foster, recognize, and support the values of humanism and professionalism in medicine.”

JABSOM GHHS Chapter President Kellie Kitamura (JABSOM 2015) puts it this way. “The society commits itself to work within and beyond medical education to inspire, nurture, and sustain lifelong advocates and activists for compassionate patient care.”

Over 100 GHHS chapters exist at medical schools around the nation. The JABSOM chapter was established at the end of 2012. There also are international chapters.

More about the nomination process for medical students:
Classmates asked to nominate peers based on several questions including who they would want as a doctor for themselves or loved ones, classmates who have the best listening skills with patients. The top 25% are invited to apply for membership. The selection committee then selects the top 15% based on the candidate’s resume, essay, overall attitude and the ways they have demonstrated humanism in their lives.

Annually, the GHHS participates in a school-wide essay scholarship competition asking students to reflect on humanism in medicine and what it means to be a good doctor. This year, produced three winners. The first place winner was Jared Hara, a first year medical student, who won a $100 cash prize. Second place of $75 went to Tyler Ellis, also a first year medical student, and Third place, $50, was awarded to Tim McDonald, a member of the MD Class of 2016.

Other GHHS Events:
“In addition, we had Associate Dean for Medical Education Dr. Richard Kasuya (a 2014 inductee) give a lecture at one of the first third year medical student colloquia, in which he highlighted personal stories of his own advisors and attendings who demonstrated the aspects of humanism in medicine when Dr. Kasuya was a student and resident at JABSOM,” said Kitamura. “We also participated in a HUGS (Help Understanding Group Support) respite dinner in April. The respite dinners are held to allow parents and guardians of children suffering from a serious illness to have a night off, where they can take care of personal business or just relax and rejuvenate, while the MD and MD student honorees watch over the children.