“The most important role for a doctor is to listen to their patients' stories. To know who the person in front of you is and not just what their medical condition is.”

— Richard C. Sheerr, Gold Board Chair

Monthly news & resources for advocates of humanism in healthcare

News & Notes | June 2025 Edition:

• ✏️ Examining the definition of humanism in healthcare
• 🙌 Meet the 2025 Gold Student Summer Fellows
• 🩺 Access Patient Priorities Care tools
• ⭐ Gold Standard Gala draws 350+ supporters
• 👋 Dr. Rachel Cramton joins the Board of Trustees
• 🎤 Dr. Nora Jones appears on “The Measure of Everyday Life” radio show
• 🎵 A cappella groups to perform at the Gold Humanism Summit
• 💌 Tow Awardees are invited to a special Summit luncheon
• 🖥️ Two free webinars: July 18 on publishing & July 14 on "friendtorship"
• 💫 GHHS member opportunities
• 📅 Upcoming events

What is humanism in healthcare? In a new editorial in The Journal of Patient Experience, Gold President and CEO Dr. Kathleen Reeves writes that "We need a concrete definition for healthcare that can serve as a useful guide in daily interactions." Dr. Reeves shares the Gold Foundation's updated definition, “clinically excellent care that is kind, safe, and trustworthy,” and examines each essential component.

This editorial is part of the special collection "The Intersection of Humanism in Healthcare and Patient Experience" from the journal and the Gold Foundation. We invite you to submit a research article or brief, industry insight, or patient perspective.

Sign up for a free webinar with Editor in Chief Dr. Laura Cooley about how to publish about humanism in healthcare.

The Gold Foundation is delighted to announce the 2025 Gold Student Summer Fellows:

• Melanie Ambler of Stanford University School of Medicine | "Musical Rounds: Improvised Soundtracks to Patient Stories"
• Ethan Boyle of Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine | "Action Against Healthcare Inequalities for Patients Experiencing Substance Abuse and Homelessness"
• Alexis Haring of Duquesne University College of Osteopathic Medicine | "Trauma-Informed Conversations: Shaping Medications for Opioid Use Disorder Implementation Through Lived Experience and Shared Decision-Making"
• Kate Tolleson of NYU Grossman School of Medicine | "Referral Champions: Evaluating Traditional Birth Attendants Training and System Integration to Improve Birth Outcomes in Kenya"

The Gold Foundation is pleased to partner with Patient Priorities Care to share tools that help identify and align care with what matters most to patients. Several quick guides and an ROI calculator are now available to Gold Partners Council members as part of your benefits.

To get a sense of these powerful resources, visit My Health Priorities, a free site that helps patients identify their priorities and create a summary, which can be shared with the care team.

Not sure if your institution is a Gold Partners Council member?

View our lists of medical school members and hospital members. Reach out to Judith Friedland at jfriedland@gold-foundation.org to join the council.

On June 3, the Gold Foundation celebrated humanism in healthcare at its Gold Standard Gala in New York City, honoring four remarkable leaders and raising essential funds for our mission. Congratulations to Dr. Francis Collins, Dwight McBee, Dr. Susan Reinhard, and Richard Sheerr on their National Humanism in Medicine Medals! We are grateful to all of the sponsors who helped make this special evening a success. Thank you!

The Arnold P. Gold Foundation is pleased to announce a new member of the Board of Trustees: Dr. Rachel Cramton, Professor of Pediatrics and Program Director of the Pediatric Residency at University of Arizona College of Medicine – Tucson (UACOMT) and Banner Diamond Children’s Medical Center.

Dr. Cramton serves on the Board in her new role as Chair-Elect of the Gold Humanism Honor Society Advisory Council.

Congratulations and welcome, Dr. Cramton!

Read the full announcement

Dr. Nora Jones, a consulting bioethicist with the Gold Foundation and editor of our Research Roundup, was interviewed recently by Brian Southwell on WUNC's radio show “The Measure of Everyday Life.”

Listen on the website or your favorite podcast platform.

Read about four studies on kindness in the latest Jeffrey Silver Humanism in Healthcare Research Roundup.

Join us in Baltimore, Sept. 17-20, for the Gold Foundation conference

45+

Breakout sessions

80+

Posters

7

Plenary sessions

Two stellar a cappella groups will be performing at the Summit: the Dermatones, from the Uniformed Services University, and the Synaptic Clefs, from Johns Hopkins School of Medicine! More music will be woven through the conference, too!

For the first time, the Gold Foundation is bringing Leonard Tow Humanism in Healthcare Award honorees together in one room. All honorees are invited to a special Tow Awardee Luncheon on Sept. 18 at the Gold Humanism Summit. If you are planning to attend the Summit and have been recognized with the Tow Award, please RSVP to the luncheon. Please reach out to Brianne Lipford at blipford@gold-foundation.org with any questions.

On July 8, noon to 1 p.m. ET, Dr. Laura Cooley, Editor in Chief of Journal of Patient Experience, will share tips on preparing submissions for a special collection with Gold, The Intersection of Humanism in Healthcare and Patient Experience, as well as for publications generally.

>> At the Summit: Dr. Cooley will be presenting a Publishing Lunch & Learn on Sept. 19.

On July 14, 6:00 to 7:00 p.m., ET, Dr. Jessi Gold and Dr. Rana Awdish will explore the concept of “friendtorship” — a meaningful blend of friendship and mentorship that offers mutual support, personal growth, and professional sustainability in healthcare.

>> At the Summit: Dr. Awdish will be a plenary speaker on Sept. 18. Dr. Gold will be a plenary speaker on Sept. 20, GHHS Day.

A recording will sent out to all registrants after the event.

Have you registered for the Summit yet?

GHHS Member Opportunities

Access all Gold Humanism Honor Society events and more in the Gold Member Portal.

GHHS Mentorship to Guide Your Next Steps

As graduating medical students prepare to enter residency, the Gold Humanism Honor Society (GHHS) is here to support you through the transition. Our mentorship program connects incoming interns with current GHHS residents at the same program or location to foster guidance, connection, and shared values in humanism.

This program helps:

• Ease the transition into residency
• Build community around humanism in healthcare
• Keep GHHS members meaningfully connected

Are you a GHHS student member looking to connect with like-minded peers from across the globe? The Gold Humanism Honor Society Student Leadership Forum offers a unique monthly opportunity to share ideas, collaborate, and grow as a leader in humanism. 

Tuesday, July 8, noon-1 p.m. ET.

Are you a GHHS member who has graduated from medical school and who is eager to connect with like-minded peers?

Join us for a special alumni networking event hosted by the GHHS Humanism in Practice Committee, where you’ll have the opportunity to connect, collaborate, and explore new ways to grow as a leader in humanism and wellness.

Thursday, July 10, 6:00-7:00 PM ET

Are you a GHHS member who has finished training? Sign up for a GHHS Professional Membership ($200/year) and receive extra benefits, including:

• $125 off Gold Humanism Summit registration
• Ability to create groups and threads in the Gold Member Portal
• Ability to post CV and job opportunities in the Gold Member Portal
• Great feeling of supporting the Gold Foundation and your fellow GHHS members

Upcoming Events