St. George’s University School of Medicine recently celebrated the induction of 28 students into the prestigious Gold Humanism Honor Society (GHHS). During the ceremony, held on May 15 in New York City, inductees recited the GHHS Oath, reaffirming their commitment to caring for patients with compassion, respect, empathy, integrity, and clinical excellence.
Dr. Toni Liggins, associate dean of clinical studies and faculty advisor for SGU’s GHHS chapter, emphasized that the ceremony was both a celebration of achievement and a reminder of the enduring importance of humanism in medicine.
“We are here to celebrate your induction into this honor society and also to pause and be reminded of the meaning of humanism in medicine,” said Dr. Liggins. “It is the powerful and necessary ingredients of compassion and connection with the human spirit. Beyond traditional medical education and beyond participation, we hope to inspire lifelong advocates for patient-centered care.”
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A tradition of patient-centered care
The Gold Humanism Honor Society was founded in 2002 by the Arnold P. Gold Foundation for Humanism in Medicine. The society celebrates medical students, residents, and physician educators whose achievements reflect the highest standards of clinical excellence, empathy, leadership, and service. Over the past two decades, the organization has expanded to more than 160 chapters, creating a global network of healthcare professionals committed to compassionate patient care.
Established in 2005, SGU’s chapter is among the organization’s earliest and helped expand GHHS beyond the United States, contributing to its growth as an international honor society. The chapter continues to recognize outstanding medical professionals who exemplify the core values of the GHHS. Students selected for the society’s membership rank among the top 10% of their class and frequently demonstrate active involvement in community outreach and service initiatives.
Humanism through service
A hallmark of SGU’s GHHS chapter is its commitment to sustained service and advocacy. Rather than participating in a one-time volunteer activity, each inductee joins one of three ongoing student-led initiatives designed to foster lifelong engagement with patient-centered care.
The Medical Humanities Initiative encourages meaningful discussions among medical students surrounding physician burnout, mental health, grief, death, stereotyping, and other important topics through its social media platforms.
The Suicide and Mental Health Awareness Project partners with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), engaging students in awareness walks and fundraising activities.
The third initiative, Reach Out and Read (ROR), supports early childhood literacy through reading programs, book donations, fundraising efforts, and educational outreach to children, particularly those with limited access to books and literacy resources.
Medicine in the age of AI
Addressing the inductees, Dr. Robert Grant, senior associate dean of clinical studies, reflected on the expanding role of artificial intelligence (AI) in clinical medicine, an important reality facing the next generation of physicians. He noted that technological advancements must never come at the expense of human connection.
“Even as technology advances, the core human traits of empathy, compassion, and presence remain essential,” said Dr. Grant. “These qualities define the physician-patient relationship and reaffirm the enduring role of the physician as a healer, a role that cannot be replaced by technology.”
