Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine Award seeks nominees

Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine Awards recognizes a faculty member who demonstrates both clinical excellence and outstanding compassion in the delivery of care and who shows respect for patients, their families and health care colleagues.

The Gold Foundation launched this award in 1991 at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. The Healthcare Foundation of New Jersey began replicating these awards nationwide in 1998, with participation from The Gold Foundation. In 2003, thanks to a generous donation from Leonard Tow, these awards became solely sponsored and administered by The Gold Foundation.

Nominations close at 5 p.m. on Jan. 25. The award recipient will be inducted into the UNMC chapter of the Gold Humanism Honor Society in mid-February, then recognized at graduation in May.

Eligible candidates:

  • Rank: All full time and part time UNMC faculty members are eligible.
  • Experience: Member of UNMC faculty for two or more years

Criteria:

  • 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’ need 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 the 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; and
  • displays competence in scientific endeavors.

For more information and to nominate a faculty member, click here.