Ceremonies

White Coat Ceremony

The White Coat Ceremony, as conducted at medical schools across America, is the result of a vision by Arnold P. Gold, M.D., a professor of surgery at the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Columbia University. Dr. Gold believes that medical students should be introduced to the white coat and what it represents as they enter medical school rather than as they exit, which had been the case historically.   

Caduceus Club

Created in 1998 by the Class of 1999, the Caduceus Club allows students to take an active role in promoting a standard of excellence in both faculty and resident physicians. The Club carries out the nominations and voting for awards presented to outstanding teachers and clinicians at the annual Caduceus Club Faculty and Resident Teaching Awards Ceremony. Nominations are accepted from first to fourth-year medical students, who vote for individuals they think have best exemplified the standards of professionalism, academic excellence and scholarship in both the clinical and basic science years of medical school.

• Annual Awards

  The Lee Brashears Award
  Awarded by the 1st year class to the individual who goes above and beyond his/her duties as a teacher in the College of Medicine to provide friendship and support to students (in memory of Mr. Lee Brashears, anatomy instructor and friend of class of 1999).

  Outstanding College of Medicine Staff Awards
  Awarded to those individuals who go beyond their usual duties to assist students in the pursuit of their medical education.

  Outstanding Course of the Year
  Awarded to the basic science course which 1st and 2nd year students regard as the best educational experience including curriculum, content, and professor interaction with students.

  Professor of the Year
  Awarded by the 1st and 2nd year students to basic science faculty demonstrating exemplary professionalism, mentorship and scholarship.

  Arnold P. Gold Foundation Humanism and Excellence in Teaching Award
  Third year students select six residents to receive the Gold Foundation Humanism and Excellence in Teaching Award, based on their demonstration of commitment to teaching and compassionate treatment of patients and families, students, and colleagues.

  Outstanding Resident Awards
  Awarded by 3rd year students to individuals who perform as role model residents characterized by approachability, excellent patient care, and willingness to teach.

  Clerkship of the Year
  Awarded by the 3rd year class to the clinical clerkship that most facilitates teaching excellence in an effort to mold ethical, caring physicians.

  Attending's of the Year
  Awarded by 3rd year students to the attending physicians who demonstrate superior teaching skills and serve as an excellent physician role model.

  Outstanding Fellow Award
  Awarded by the 4th year students to the fellow who demonstrates superb teaching skills as well as an excellent fund of knowledge.

  Clinical Teaching Recognition Awards
  Awarded by the 4th year students to the attendings that have demonstrated the most dedication to teaching and educating medical students.

  Mentor of the Year
  Awarded by the 4th year students to the attending who in addition to being a physician role model has been eager to engage and assist students in pursuit of their chosen medical field.

  Caduceus Club Founders Award
  Awarded by the membership of the Caduceus Club to individuals who promote a spirit of leadership and academic excellence through his/her support of the Caduceus Club activities.

  Basic Sciences Department of the Year
  Awarded to the basic sciences department which students feel best prepares them for the USMLE Step 1 and for the clinical years through a commitment to academic excellence.

  Clinical Department of the Year
  Awarded to the clinical department that achieves the following specific criteria:  provides timely feedback to students, includes material consistent with NBME criteria in curriculum, upholds current standards of care regarding their discipline, creates an environment conducive to constructive dialogue, implements professionalism toward students and patients, and promotes faculty, resident, and staff teaching.

  
  
  

Student Clinician's Ceremony

The Student Clinician's Ceremony (SCC) is a transitional experience designed to provide guidance, information and support to medical students beginning their clerkships. The ceremony underscores the challenges and imperatives to providing humanistic care to patients at the same time as they are pressed to demonstrate high standards of skill performance. During the ceremony, students revisit the oath taken during the White Coat Ceremony.

The ceremony also recognizes outstanding residents through the Gold Foundation's Humanism and Excellence in Teaching Award. The Arnold P. Gold Foundation is a public, not-for-profit organization established in 1988 by Drs. Arnold and Sandra Gold, several colleagues at the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, as well as dedicated community leaders and philanthropists. Through funds raised by the Foundation for programs, significant advances have been made in the development, implementation, evaluation and replication of educational experiences that influence the way a physician is trained, from the very first day of medical school through residency training.

Gold Humanism Honor Society

Quillen College of Medicine's chapter of the Gold Humanism Honor Society (GHHS) honors senior medical students, residents, and faculty for demonstrated excellence in clinical care, leadership, compassion and dedication to service.  Election to membership in the GHHS is a significant honor, comparable to being selected to the Alpha Omega Alpha national honor society.

Approximately 15% of the 4th year class is elected to membership each year.  A multi-step process involving peer nomination, clinical faculty nomination and evaluation by a selection committee is used to select students for Quillen's GHHS.  Society membership also includes students and faculty receiving the Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine Award and residents awarded the Gold Foundation Humanism and Excellence in Teaching Award.

Quillen's Gold Humanism Honor Society chapter is made possible with a grant from The Arnold P. Gold Foundation.  The Arnold P. Gold Foundation, a public, not-for-profit organization dedicated to fostering humanism in medicine, provides support for more than 45 GHHS chapters at schools of medicine.

Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society

The Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society (AΩ​A) is a professional medical organization that recognizes and advocates for excellence in scholarship and the highest ideals in the profession of medicine. Election to membership in the AΩ​A is a significant honor that is comparable to being selected to the Gold Humanism Honor Society. 

Membership can be as a medical student, resident, fellow, faculty member, alum, or distinguished leader in medicine. Members of the AΩ​A have a compelling drive to do well to advance the medical profession and exemplify the highest standards of professionalism. The values include honesty, honorable conduct, morality, virtue, dedication to serving others, and leadership.

Class of 2025 AOA/GHHS Honorees