Congratulations to the class of 2025 VHHS inductees!
On Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024, the Virtuous Healer Honor Society (VHHS) welcomed new members from the College of Medicine Class of 2025 in an induction ceremony in the NEW Center Ballroom.
Congratulations to the five third-year medicine students who were inducted into the medical honor society for 2024 (pictured above from left):
- Omer Ashruf
- Meaghan Delahunty
- Catherine Nicole Domingo
- Vissy Elad
- Nicole Price
VHHS recognizes NEOMED students, residents and faculty who exemplify the attributes of the virtuous healer, including altruism, compassion, curiosity, generosity, humility, justice and moral imagination.
A special thank you to keynote speaker and VHHS faculty inductee Katherine Tatar, M.D., the 2024 Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine Faculty Award recipient.
Reflections
Below are reflections from the new inductees on what it means to be a virtuous healer:
Omer Ashruf
"To me, virtue is inextricably linked to character. A virtuous individual is not one who performs a singular virtuous act in a vacuum; rather, embodying virtue requires internalization into one's character, becoming a habitual way of being. Virtue is necessary for the application of necessary medical knowledge and technical skill to be a good clinician – with conscientiousness and humility – but more importantly, to be an upstanding advocate for the patient, curating plans of care with them, not just for them – with compassion and moral imagination. Such practices, employed routinely and instilled within character, make a virtuous physician."
Meaghan Delahunty
“A virtuous healer does not treat the diagnosis, but rather, the person; the healer finds individuality and nuance in every clinical case they encounter. It is someone who recognizes it is imperative to be inquisitive far past medical school graduation; the healer learns from their patient and seeks answers no matter how elusive they might be. It is someone who maintains responsiveness and compassion in a field wrought with desensitization. The virtuous healer recognizes that “more” does not strictly mean additional medicine or procedures, but may sometimes take the form of simply providing advocacy and deep understanding. To me, VHHS is not only an honor, but an opportunity to cultivate and represent these values alongside like-minded individuals.”
Catherine Nicole Domingo
“I firmly believe that a life worth living is a life of service to others as it strengthens the sense of connection to humanity and something greater than oneself alone. To be a virtuous healer is something everyone should strive for and I think the definition of a virtuous healer transcends that of one who has compassion and competence in healthcare, though these attributes are essential. Based on the individuals I look up to who I see as virtuous healers, I believe that integrity, curiosity, and courage are also at the core of this definition. A life-long commitment to being a healer involves a journey of exploring one’s values, learning from the connections made with others, and having an unwavering desire to seek ways to serve and make meaningful change.”
Vissy Elad
“To me, being a virtuous healer isn’t just having a definite set of personality traits; it’s how you respond to what’s in front of you. Compassion and empathy are great on their own, but when combined with a willingness to fill a need, they are invaluable. As iron sharpens iron, virtuous healers help form more virtuous healers. It’s contagious, it’s self-sustaining and it goes beyond medicine. I have been fortunate to interact with so many individuals who embody the essence of the virtuous healer with and without formal recognition. What I’ve learned from them is that the energy we pour into our communities and into each other is never a wasted effort.”
Nicole Price
“With compassion as their guiding light, a virtuous healer navigates the tapestry of human suffering with grace and empathy. By embracing a holistic approach that considers the physical, mental and spiritual aspects of healing, they not only alleviate physical symptoms but also contribute to the overall well-being of the patient. In the virtuous healer, we find not only a medical professional but a guardian of the human spirit, dedicated to nurturing the body, mind and soul of those in their care.”
Congratulations to the newest members of the Virtuous Healer Honor Society and a special recognition to all the faculty, staff and current members who provide support to the society!
VHHS Service Project
The VHHS members will be hosting a service project in March.
TeddyCare Clinic is a FREE event on Saturday, March 23. This event aims not only to improve the relationships between children and health care providers but to also collect stuffed animal donations for a local children's hospital.
Children and their families will be welcomed to NEOMED’s campus, where kids can bring their stuffed animals for a free checkup!
Various student organizations and clubs will offer a variety of exams, treatments and procedures to the stuffed animals. Children can even bring their stuffies to be mended. Throughout this exchange, we hope to promote comfort and trust between kids and healthcare providers. We also hope to answer any questions children and families may have about medical school and the journey to becoming a doctor.