Faculty, Students, Residents Inducted into Gold Humanism and Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Societies
Excellence was showcased at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine as students, faculty members and residents were welcomed into the Gold Humanism and Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA) Honor Societies.
The induction ceremony, which featured notable speeches, awards and presentations, honored individuals who exemplified commitment to medical excellence.
Latha Chandran, M.D., M.P.H., M.B.A., executive dean for education, chair of the Department of Medical Education and professor, articulated the significance of the Gold Humanism and AOA induction ceremony.
“This celebratory event at the Miller School is conducted to recognize and honor academic excellence and professional behaviors. It is a joyful moment that reaffirms the core values we stand for as medical practitioners,” she said.
Gold Humanism Honor Society Encourages Compassionate Medical Care
Founded in 2002, the Gold Humanism Honor Society recognizes individuals who support the importance of human connection in health care. The 2023 cohort of inductees consists of 27 Miller School medical students from the Class of 2023 and Erika Marulanda, M.D., M.S., assistant professor of clinical neurology, as the faculty inductee.
Judith Simms-Cendan, M.D., division director of pediatric and adolescent gynecology, delivered an impactful keynote speech during the ceremony. She challenged the cohort to embrace opportunities in training, patient care and life. Daniel Bergholz, M.D. ’23, and Dr. Marulanda were honored with the Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine Award for their exceptional demonstration of humanism in patient care.
“Humanism, to me, is a core value that places the intrinsic dignity of every individual at the center of their medical care,” said Dr. Bergholz. “My work with Miami Street Medicine demonstrates how treating each patient with respect and empathy can build trust and improve care. Humanism also compels us as physicians to address social and health inequalities beyond the confines of the hospital.”
Dr. Marulanda has exemplified humanism throughout her career by focusing on health disparities in neurological diseases. She also emphasized the importance of instilling humanistic, compassionate and equitable care values in her trainees, particularly for underserved populations.
AOA Recognizes the Value of Well-Rounded Physicians
The AOA, recognizing well-rounded leaders in medicine since 1902, welcomed new members who embodied their motto, “Be Worthy to Serve the Suffering.” The Alpha Miami AOA chapter at the Miller School inducted 28 medical students, including Jordan Mandell, M.D./M.P.H. ’23, who demonstrated leadership in organizing ophthalmology mission trips, and Ankit Shah, M.D. ’23, who contributed to community service and stem cell research. Additionally, eight residents and one fellow from various specialties were selected for induction.
Among the four faculty inductees were Eduardo Alfonso, M.D., director of Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, chairman of the Department of Ophthalmology and holder of the Kathleen and Stanley J. Glaser Chair at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine; and Lydia Fein, M.D., a champion of OB-GYN care and transgender health. Daniel Gomez, M.D., M.B.A., received the Volunteer Faculty Award for his work as the third-year clerkship preceptor for the M.D./M.P.H. students.
Christine Dinh, M.D., an associate professor and AOA faculty officer, praised the inductees, stating, “The members we inducted exemplify professionalism and leadership in the workplace, as well as compassion and service for our patients. They serve as moral compasses for our community and are role models for many.”
A gallery of photos from the event is available on our Facebook page.
2022-2023 Gold Humanism Honor Society Inductees
FACULTY
Erika Marulanda, M.D.
MEDICAL STUDENTS
Matthew Alonso
Krisna Scarlett Maddy
Sebastian Dario Arango
Rami Hisham Helmi Mahmoud
Tanvi Bafna
Lien Morcate
Rebecca L. Barnett
Christopher D. Norberg
Gianna Bello
Serene Shehadeh
Kelley N. Benck
Valerie Sarah Stark
Lauren de la Parte
Ronald Michael Swonger
Christian A. Diaz
Marina M. Tabbara
Shaheen Emami
Julia M. Telischi
Federico N. Erhart
Christopher Samuel Vazquez
Sarah Marie Jacobs
Matthew D. Wiefels
Sophie Helen Kienitz Harris
Kiana Winslow
Rachel Rebecca Lin
Gordon Kent Woodward Macy
Neva Lundy
Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine Award
FACULTY
Erika Marulanda, M.D.
STUDENT
Dan Bergholz
2022-2023 Alpha Omega Alpha Inductees
FACULTY
Eduardo Alfonso, M.D.
Monica Cardenas, M.D.
Lydia Fein, M.D., M.P.H.
Michelle Fletcher, M.D.
RESIDENTS/FELLOWS
Stephanie Lee, M.D.
Emily Ryon, M.D., M.P.H.
Pooja Malhotra, M.D.
Eva Urrechaga, M.D.
Ekta Panjrolia, D.O., M.S.
Lena Wong, M.D., M.P.H.
Manasi Parrish, M.D., M.P.H.
Shana Zucker, M.D., M.P.H., M.S.
Lawrence Rolle, M.D., M.B.A.
STUDENTS
Pranusha Atuluru
Alison Ohringer
James Bao
Annika Patel
Christina Barkas
William Pavlis
Adam Burton
Ethan Plotsker
Tatiana Campuzano
Fay Pon
Anabel Epstein
Marika Psyhojos
Victoria Gabor
Daniel Quintero
Shilpi Ganguly
Apoorva Rangan
Melanie Gershman
Justine Ransdell
Kristin Gmunder
Ankit Shah
Haley Hullfish
Sahana Shankar
Rachael Jackson
Caroline Shermoen
Teresa Ju
Evie Sobczak
Karthik Kalahasty
Emily Swafford
Christopher Kaler
Tara Tardino
Maria Lugo-Fagundo
Ashley Vander Does
Jordan Mandell
Maria Villalba
Matthew Mason
Yusheng Zhang
Megan Mathew
Alyssa Zlatkin
VOLUNTEER CLINICAL FACULTY AWARD
Daniel Gomez, M.D.
Tags: Alpha Omega Alpha, Department of Medical Education, Gold Humanism Honor Society, Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine Award