ECU chapter of Gold Humanism Honor Society inducts new members

An organization at East Carolina University honoring medical students and resident physicians who exemplify humanism and professionalism inducted 18 new members at an April event.

The Brody School of Medicine Chapter of the Gold Humanism Honor Society began in 2011, recognizing third-year medical students for demonstrated excellence in clinical care, leadership, compassion and dedication to service. Last year the chapter expanded to include resident physicians – each nominated by third-year medical students based on their commitment to teaching and compassionate treatment of patients and families, students and colleagues.

Resident physicians selected this year are Dr. Kenji Leonard (surgery); Dr. Aakash Modi (family medicine); Dr. Sean Marco (internal medicine); and Dr. Glenn Nanney (physical medicine and rehabilitation).

Front row: Drs. Kenji Leonard and Aakash Modi. Back row: Drs. Sean Marco and Glenn Nanney (Photos by Gretchen Baugh)

Additionally, 14 third-year students from the Brody School of Medicine were inducted into the society this year. They are Mark Ash, David Baker, Lauren Brown, Tiffany Byerly, Alexandria Dixon, Nicholena Etxegoien, Meagan Evangelista, Kevin Harris, Mehrin Islam, Mia Marshall, Eli Robins, Steven Roseno, Amanda Small and Zachary Wood.

Front row: Amanda Small, Mehrin Islam, Mia Marshall. Back row: Nicholena Etxegoien, Steven Roseno, Lauren Brown, Alexandria Dixon, David Baker, Zachary Wood, Mark Ash, Meagan Evangelista, Tiffany Byerly, and Kevin Harris (Eli Robins not pictured)

The students join thousands of honor society members in training and practice, inspiring and nurturing humanism in others. Membership in GHHS goes beyond selection and induction into an honor society; its members have a responsibility to model, support and advocate for compassionate, patient-centered care throughout their careers.

During their fourth year of medical school, student inductees select and execute a project that exemplifies humanism; participate in Solidarity Day, a nationwide initiative to highlight humanism in medicine; and sponsor a fundraising event.

Inspiration for the society began in the late 1990s when medical educators and residency program directors expressed the need for a way to identify applicants to residency training programs who had outstanding clinical and interpersonal skills.

The faculty adviser for the Brody chapter is Dr. Hellen Ransom of the Department of Bioethics and Interdisciplinary Studies.