New members elected to USA Chapter of GHHS

Medical students, from left, are Zachary Aggen, Brittany Jackson, Blake Dunaway, Hannah Granger and Zachary Lazzari; and Karen Braswell, GHHS chapter supervisor.

Ten USA College of Medicine students, three residents and one faculty member recently were named to the USA Chapter of the Arnold P. Gold Humanism in Medicine Honor Society (GHHS), a national society that celebrates compassionate, patient-centered care.

Medical students, from left, are Michelle Nguyen, Gregory

Overbeek, Melody Zeidan, Anna Wright and Jessica Pham.

Each year, a select group of students, residents and faculty members are named to the society through a peer-nominated process. GHHS membership recognizes individuals who exemplify compassionate patient care and serve as role models, mentors and leaders in medicine.

“These students, residents and faculty have been identified as individuals who represent the GHHS goal of placing compassion, dignity and human value at the heart of education and clinical practice,” said T.J. Hundley, M.D., associate dean for medical education, who serves as a chapter adviser. “They will serve as role models of the human connection in healthcare.”

Current GHHS members surprised Jessica Pham with the news during her pediatric clerkship. “I feel truly honored to be chosen for Gold Humanism because the nomination came from my fellow classmates, whom I love so dearly,” Pham said. “It warms my heart when I think about how they would entrust me with their family members’ healthcare, which is what we were prompted to reflect upon when making our nominations.”

This year, the following third-year medical students, residents and faculty were selected:

• Charles “Zachary” Aggen, student
• Christian “Blake” Dunaway, student
• Hannah Elizabeth Granger, student
• Brittany Shavon Jackson, student
• Zachary Thomas Lazzari, student
• Michelle Minh-Anh Nguyen, student
• Gregory John Overbeek, student
• Jessica Thanh Pham, student
• Anna Wright, student
• Melody Marie Zeidan, student
• Lynn Batten, M.D., faculty, department of pediatrics
• Juan Gonzalez, D.O., resident, department of pediatrics
• Wilson Huett, M.D., resident, department of surgery
• Michael Tran, M.D., resident, department of internal medicine

“Medicine allows us every day to be a part of something bigger than ourselves , and GHHS further highlights this through humanistic behaviors in healthcare, so it is encouraging to be a part of it,” said medical student Blake Dunaway, who will serve as president.

Resident physicians, from left, are Wilson Huett, M.D.,

Juan Gonzalez, D.O., and Michael Tran, M.D.

In addition to Dunaway, this year’s class officers are Jessica Pham, secretary/treasurer; and Brittany Jackson, social coordinator. New members will be inducted into the society and pinned at the USA College of Medicine's annual White Coat Ceremony.

“I’m so thankful to be surrounded by such amazing classmates who are always so supportive of one another and prioritize understanding our individual patients and building trust in order to provide adequate care,” said Jackson, who will serve as social coordinator.

The Arnold P. Gold Foundation sustains the commitment of healthcare professionals to provide compassionate, collaborative and scientifically excellent patient care. The society currently has approximately 30,000 members in training and practice.

Each year, the GHHS participates in Solidarity Week for Compassionate Patient Care to remind students and employees of the importance of compassion in medicine. This year Solidarity Week is set for Feb. 15-19. The USA Chapter will participate in several activities during the week to remind students and employees of the importance of compassion in medicine. 

Members also will participate in Thank a Resident Day, set for Feb. 26, to bring to light the importance of the residence staff and encourage medical students to show their gratitude and appreciation.