Published July 19, 2018 This content is archived.
Six medical residents were honored with the Arnold P. Gold Foundation Humanism and Excellence in Teaching Award during the 16th annual Student Clinician Ceremony.
Students in the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences Class of 2019 nominated the six residents based on the honorees’ demonstration of commitment to teaching and compassionate treatment of patients and families, students and colleagues.
The honorees were:
The Student Clinician Ceremony — which this year honored the Class of 2020 — is intended to initiate medical students into their clinical years with a support system.
The event was developed by students and faculty. It aims to reinforce the confidence of students who are entering their clinical years by discussing fears and expectations, providing direction and also revisiting the oath the students took during their White Coat Ceremony.
Two members of the Class of 2020 had featured roles in the ceremony. Derek Spath, president of Polity — the medical student government — gave the welcome. Maria Pollack, representing the Professional Conduct Committee (PCC), presented the awards.
Michael E. Cain, MD, vice president for health sciences and dean of the medical school, gave the opening remarks.
The keynote speaker was Lynn M. Steinbrenner, MD ’80, clinical associate professor of medicine in the Division of Hematology/Oncology, who received the Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine Award at the 2017 White Coat Ceremony.
She spoke to the students about what she sees as the three facets of medicine — business, science and art.
“I suspect you are not prepared yet for the business of medicine,” she said. “In these next two years, you will need to learn how to be an advocate for your patient. You will need to work hard to keep your idealism intact.”
Steinbrenner said the preclinical years of teaching have prepared the students for the science of medicine.
“It is incumbent on you to learn from every single patient. You have to be self-driven,” she advised. “Go home and read on your patients. Come in early, stay late.”
Steinbrenner said the art of medicine is the aspect of medicine the students will be perfecting for the rest of their medical careers. She reminded them they will be seeing patients when they are at their most vulnerable and encouraged them to try to listen to their patients and learn something about each one of them personally.
“Be careful breaking bad news, and don’t be afraid to talk to patients about their wishes, especially your patients with terminal disease,” she said. “Use your heart as well as your mind.”
Cain led all students — and all physicians in attendance — in reciting the oath of medicine before the closing remarks, which were provided by David A. Milling, MD, senior associate dean for student and academic affairs.
The event was presented by the PCC, which was established in 2000 when the Code of Professional Conduct for UB medical students was ratified. It consists of three student representatives from each class and three faculty members.
Funding for the ceremony — and a reception that followed the event — was provided by the John A. Wendel Endowment Fund, established by Virginia Wendel; the Arnold P. Gold Foundation; and the Medical Alumni Association.
The ceremony took place June 29 in the David C. Hohn, MD, Lecture Hall in the Research Studies Center at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center.