Perspective on the Virtuous Healer Honor Society: Meet Joie Watterson
As the nomination cycle for the Virtuous Healer Honor Society comes to a close, current members shared their reflections on being involved in VHHS.
Meet VHHS Student Member, Joie Watterson, M4!
What is the Virtuous Healer Honor Society?
The purpose of the NEOMED Virtuous Healer Honor Society (VHHS) is to recognize NEOMED students, residents and faculty who exemplify the attributes of the virtuous healer: altruism, compassion, curiosity, generosity, humility, justice and moral imagination. These values represent the heart of what it means to care for others and to grow as a physician who leads with empathy and integrity.
How did you hear about VHHS?
I first heard about VHHS when reading the stories of the class above me who were inducted. I always make a point to read The Pulse when it comes through my email, and I remember reading each member’s reflection on why this honor mattered to them and how they embodied those values in their own lives. Those stories really stood out to me and inspired me to want to be part of something that celebrates character and compassion.
What is your favorite part about being a VHHS member?
What I love most about VHHS is that it’s one of the only societies that recognizes kindness, empathy, and compassion rather than grades or exam scores. So many honors in medical school focus on academic success, but VHHS celebrates the kind of people and healers we’re becoming. I also love that we get to serve others through meaningful projects, like hosting the annual Teddy Bear Clinic for children. It’s a reminder of why we chose medicine in the first place.
How does being a VHHS member help you as a student?
Being a VHHS member has helped me tremendously, especially now during residency application season. It’s something interviewers often ask about, as they’re curious what it means to be recognized for virtues like compassion and altruism, and it gives me a chance to talk about how important those qualities are to me as a future family physician. It also keeps me grounded and reminds me to lead with empathy in everything I do, even during stressful times.
How can students join VHHS?
Students can join VHHS through a peer or faculty nomination process, followed by an application for those invited to apply. It’s an opportunity to reflect deeply on how you live out the values of the virtuous healer in your daily life and interactions. I’m so excited to meet the next class of virtuous healers and see how they continue to bring compassion and integrity into our community.