Outstanding Student and Faculty Professionalism in the Family Medicine Clerkship
Student Award:
Five medical students were recognized for their 2011-12 Family Medicine Clerkship Professionalism Award nomination during a recent faculty End of Quarter Family Medicine Clerkship meeting. This award began in 2009 from a three year, $5,000 grant sponsored by the UWSOM Continuous Professionalism Improvement (CPI) Committee. The award honors the efforts of those students who exhibit outstanding professional attitudes and conduct during their Family Medicine Clerkship rotation. This year's Family Medicine Clerkship Student Award was given to Nathan Cook for her extraordinary efforts.
In addition to exemplifying the level of professionalism normally expected of a student--being on time, being prepared, appropriate behavior when relating to colleagues, staff and patients—Nathan participated in a number of extra curricular activities. He volunteered to teach underclassmen during our state wide pre-medical conference. This extra task involved him driving to Bozeman and giving up his weekend. He did this graciously. In front of 200 or more people he was calm, collected, articulate, humble, and poised. Nate also volunteered to be a panelist for a discussion to underclassmen on the clinical years ahead. His professional demeanor, poise, active listening skills, and articulate answers were again well received. Nate is compassionate in his interactions, demonstrates a strong work ethic, and employs excellent organizational skills. According to his preceptor “Nate’s professional demeanor is non-parallel.
Both Mr. Cook and the other nominated students received a certificate of congratulations from the Family Medicine Clerkship Directors. Mr. Cook will be recognized for his achievement at the hooding ceremony this spring.
Other nominated students for the 2011-12 Family Medicine Clerkship Student Professionalism Award includes:
Bridget Marvinsmith
Annie Ball
Lucas Marchand
Ria Andrade
Faculty Award:
The clerkship program was also honored to have Dean Paul Ramsey present plaques to the winners of the first annual Faculty and Staff Professionalism Awards:
Elizabeth Rulon from Family Medicine Residency of Idaho
The nominating student recognized this physician as being highly respected by everyone, and particularly enjoyed her caring and thoughtful interactions with nurses and MAs. She writes: ‘what really set her apart for me was watching her during a home visit for a refugee couple. Not only was she excited to have me come along with her and the resident to this home visit, but she was an exemplary model of how to respect patients, as well as provide amazing medical care while OUTSIDE a traditional medical facility. She made everyone: the patients, resident, me, and the interpretor feel at-ease. Both she and the resident showed me what being a real family doctor is all about and helped me remember what a privilege it is to take care of patients both inside the clinic/hospital and inside their homes.” In addition to her excellent patient care, the student noted this physician’s work-life balance and said: “Her patients, students, and all her support staff are lucky to have her! I enjoyed the time I spent with her, however limited it was, and hope to emulate some of the qualities that I saw, now and in the future.”
Congratulations, Elizabeth!
Tanny Davenport, Formerly of Central Washington Family Medicine Residency
The student who nominated Tanny described one particular instance on the family medicine service “as the definition of professionalism.” The student was able to participate in a family meeting with the daughter of a dying patient who had insisted on pursuing aggressive treatments, to the frustration and even alienation of most of the care team.
During the meeting, this physician sat down with the daughter, and was attentive, respectful, and kind. He repeated and rephrased her wishes, showing her that he had heard everything she had expressed. He then affirmed that everything she had done to this point was out of love and reassured her that her emotions were normal.
Then told her that from the team’s perspective, her mother's condition had changed beyond what they could do to stop it. He let her know that the goals of care needed to change, without asking or quibbling. He then helped her answer a few questions that needed to be answered, and made himself available to answer any questions that came up.
The student writes: “I remember thinking I wish I had had a movie of that conversation to watch again and again. It was rife with lessons of immeasurable importance in the practice of medicine: respect, kindness, compassion, confidence, inspiration. Where the rest of us had failed to unite the entire team in a unified goal,” Dr. Tanny Davenport brought us all together. I hope to learn from his example.”
Congratulations, Tanny!
Andy Thayne: Intermountain Clinic in Pocatello, Idaho.
Despite the fact that the majority of staff and patients at this clinic belong to the same religious group, this physician maintained an “impressively neutral” attitude with the student, who was one of the few people there not affiliated. He made a point of being especially welcoming, and the student said “he deserves recognition for making the site nonjudgemental and avoiding pressures associated with the church” in which so many staff and community members participate.
As an aside, this student recently completed a sub-internship in family medicine at the UW, and let me know that his experience with Dr. Andy Thayne in Pocatello was so positive that he decided to pursue a career in family medicine
Congratulations, Andy!
Other nominated faculty for the 2011-12 Family Medicine Clerkship Staff and Faculty Professionalism Award include:
Bonnie Randolph: Torrington, WY- Finalist
Zach Meyers: Montana Family Medicine Residency-Finalist
Al Tiu: Madigan Army Medical Center- Finalist
Laura Bennett: Lewistown MT – WRITE
Lauren Hughes: UWFM Northgate
Todd Brooking: Spokane FM Residency
David Adam: Madigan Army Medical Center
Jason Ferguson: Madigan Army Medical Center,
Carl Morris: Group Health Central
Jeff Adams: Missoula, MT
Michael James: Anacortes, WA
Erin Swenson:Formerly of Family Medicine Residency of Idaho; Now in private practice in Salmon, ID