Nancy Koff, a Dean at the University of Arizona College of Medicine wrote to the Arnold P. Gold Foundation regarding recent tragic events in Tucson. She shared that Dr. Randall Friese, the trauma surgeon who was in charge of triage as the victims of the shooting came in to the University Medical Center emergency room, was asked in an interview what happened when Rep. Giffords arrived in the ER and what he was doing. He said, "The most important thing I did was hold her hand." He was giving orders at the same time. Dean Koff commented, "...but I think it was powerful that he considered most important his actions of holding her hand, speaking to her and reassuring her that she was in the hospital and would be cared for...."
Inspired by Dr. Friese’s words, the Arnold P. Gold Foundation and Gold Humanism Honor Society (GHHS) Chapters around the country are joining in solidarity on February 14, 2011, to emphasize the power of humanism in medicine.
Linda Rowe, EdD
GHHS Chapter Advisor
U of IL College of Medicine at Peoria
