Gold Humanism Honor Society

The Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine Award

In 1991, the Arnold P. Gold Foundation, in order to recognize a faculty member for compassionate care, initiated the Humanism in Medicine Award. The goal of the program was to get medical schools to train students to recognize the value of humanism in the delivery of care to patients and their families, as well as being proficient clinical physicians. In 1999, the University of Oklahoma, College of Medicine awarded its first Humanism Award to Dr. George Selby. In October 201​8 (as pictured and as shown on list of awardees) Executive Dean of the College of Medicine, Dr. John P. Zubialde presents the Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine Award to Dr. George Tardibono.

In 2003, after a generous donation from Leonard Tow, the Gold Foundation became the sole sponsor and administrator of The Leonard Town Humanism in Medicine Award. Medical schools could sign a contract with The Arnold P. Gold Foundation to participate in this awards program. The Gold Foundation bestows a personalized certificate and a $1,000 prize to a faculty member who is nominated and selected by his or her peers for best demonstrating the Foundation’s ideals of outstanding compassion in the delivery of care, respect for patients, their families and healthcare colleagues, as well as demonstrate clinical excellence.

Criteria as outlineD by the Arnold P. Gold Foundation:

Medical School Faculty Member (MD or DO)

           Consistently demonstrates compassion and empathy in the delivery of care to patients

           Serves as a role model -- illustrates professional behavior by example

           Approachable and accessible to students

           Welcomes opportunities for teaching and one-on-one mentorships with students

           Exhibits enthusiasm and skill in professional and personal interactions with students

           Shows respect for everyone

           Demonstrates cultural sensitivity in working with patients and family members of diverse
              backgrounds

           Displays effective communication and listening skills

           Understands patients’ needs for interpretation of complex medical diagnoses and treatments and
              makes an effort to ensure patient comprehension -- shows respect for the patient’s viewpoint

           Sensitive to patients’ psychological well-being

           Effectively identifies emotional concerns of patients and family members

           Engenders trust and confidence

           Adheres to professional and ethical standards

           Committed to reflection and objective self-evaluation of his/her skills

           Displays competence in scientific endeavors