Oak Badge for Medical Humanism established thanks to anonymous donor

Oak Badge for Medical Humanism established thanks to anonymous donor

What makes a good doctor? Medical knowledge is essential, but so are compassion, empathy and an understanding of the complex historical, cultural, economic and sociopolitical factors that shape healthcare access and outcomes.

Thanks to a transformational gift from an anonymous donor to the NEOMED Foundation, the Oak Badge for Medical Humanism was established in July 2025. The badge is managed by NEOMED faculty members Rachel Bracken, Ph.D., and Eliot Mostow, M.D., with a goal to strengthen the balance of the arts and health humanities into medical education.

The College of Medicine introduced its badging program in fall 2024, offering students opportunities to explore interests and earn distinction beyond the traditional curriculum. The Oak Badge for Medical Humanism builds on NEOMED's long-standing integration of the arts and health humanities, which includes the nation's longest-running medical student poetry competition-honoring William Carlos Williams for more than 40 years-as well as courses like Profession of Medicine and Reflective Practice.

The idea for the badge began with a simple question: what funding would most benefit NEOMED's medical education program? The donor, inspired by the trusted care they received from physicians, chose to support the development of doctors who are not only skilled but also deeply empathetic.

Through the Oak Badge for Medical Humanism, students can participate in experiences such as museum visits, artistic or service projects, workshops, seminars and book groups-activities that encourage reflection, foster community and strengthen patient-centered care. Created with the vision of educating the whole physician to treat the whole patient, the Oak Badge for Medical Humanism offers co-curricular arts and health humanities programming that engages the fine arts to promote empathy and enhance clinical skills; encourages critical thinking rooted in humanities methodologies (e.g., ethics, literary analysis, narrative medicine and medical history); and cultivates a community of medical students and faculty committed to compassionate, patient-centered care and physician wellness.

The endowment is also funding a dedicated program coordinator. Kara Bloom began her tenure on Aug. 1, ensuring the badge's long-term success.

In addition to thanking our donor for establishing the endowment, NEOMED extends its gratitude to the College of Medicine and the NEOMED Foundation. Additionally, faculty members Eliot Davidson, M.D. '82, David Sperling, M.D. '85, Eric "Rick" Kodish, M.D. '86, and especially Eliot Mostow, M.D., are recognized for their collaboration in bringing this vision to life.