February 25, 2013
School of Medicine recognizes compassion and humanism in medicine

LAS VEGAS/RENO, Nev. - The University of Nevada School of Medicine joined the Gold Humanism Honor Society and nearly 60 medical schools and institutions across North America in taking a stand for humanism in medicine by observing the third Gold Humanism Honor Society Solidarity Day for Compassionate Patient Care on Feb. 14 with its "Hearts of Gold" displays in Reno and Las Vegas.

The Gold Humanism Honor Society is an international initiative of The Arnold P. Gold Foundation comprised of over 15,000 medical students, faculty and administrators recognized for practicing compassionate, patient centered care. GHHS maintains a networked community which shares ideas, resources and support to sustain and advocate for humanism in medicine.

One of the most effective ways to spread compassion is to recognize and publicize people who exemplify compassion in their work and in their everyday lives. Through the Hearts of Gold displays, examples of compassionate care and caregivers are displayed at University Medical Center of Southern Nevada, the School of Medicine's administration building in Las Vegas and the Pennington Health Science Building on the Reno campus.

Faculty, staff and students at the School of Medicine were invited to write down the names of people and the reasons they thought they should be recognized for being "compassionate" as well as names of those who provide caregiver services, to proudly display in these locations.

The first GHHS Solidarity Day for Compassionate Patient Care was held on Feb. 14, 2011 just weeks after the tragic shootings in Tucson, Arizona. It was ignited by the humanistic actions of Randall Friese, M.D., the University of Arizona trauma surgeon who was the first to treat Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords.

Dr. Friese struck a chord when he said that the most important thing he did for her in the emergency room was to take her hand and tell her that she was in the hospital and would be cared for. GHHS rallied more than 40 medical schools and centers in the U.S. and Canada to demonstrate their support for Dr. Friese and their commitment to compassionate, patient-centered care.

This first time project will unify our campuses, and is the start of a new tradition for GHHS at the University of Nevada School of Medicine," said Peggy Dupey, associate dean for admissions and student affairs. "Thanks again to everyone who has made this possible; namely Jodi Shpargel, Ann Diggins, Dr. Deborah Kuhls, Danita Cohen, director of marketing at University Medical Center and our outstanding class officers Justin Ramos, Katie Lyons, Jimmy Verlanic and Jacob Anderson and their committees."

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The University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, Nevada's first public medical school, is a community-based, research-intensive medical school with a statewide vision for a healthy Nevada. Established in 1969, UNR Med is improving the health and well-being of all Nevadans and their communities through excellence in student education, postgraduate training and clinical care, research with local, national and global impact and a culture of diversity and inclusion.