Project Professionalism

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Project Professionalism is a student-driven initiative cosponsored by Patient-Centered Medicine and the student Honor and Professionalism Council. Initiated in 2001 by the Class of 2005, Project Professionalism began as a group of 20 students who gave advice concerning the lecture presentations, started the Class Oath tradition, and made recommendations concerning the small-group discussions.

Project Professionalism now involves over 200 students working on all aspects of the professionalism mission: “To create and maintain the culture of respect in the medical school environment.” The “culture of respect” encompasses compassionate care, professional behaviors, excellence in medical knowledge, and placing the needs of others before your own (altruism). Creating this culture does not depend on policing each other; rather it is built on a foundation of caring about the personal and professional growth of every medical student at The Ohio State University College of Medicine.

To serve on one of the committees for Project Professionalism, simply sign up during any of the Professionalism lectures or e-mail your request to eileen.mehl@osumc.edu.

Class Oath Committee: Each entering class has the distinction of generating its own oath to be presented at its Hooding Ceremony. The creative process begins with Med 1 students brainstorming about ideas for their class oath and writing the first draft. As the committee members progress through medical school, a new draft is done each year with the final product completed during their senior year.

Clowning in Columbus: Inspired by the Gesundheit! Institute, this group learns clowning techniques and then takes them into the community, bringing cheer and comfort to children in hospitals and the elderly in senior centers. The Gesundheit! Institute was founded in 1972 by Hunter “Patch” Adams, M.D., “to bring fun, friendship, and the joy of service back into health care.”

Communications Committee: The “medium is the message,” and for this group it’s the development and maintenance of the Web site to promote professionalism in the medical field. Plans also call for creating a “virtual” literary magazine and building a team of student writers and Web site designers.

Community Service: Med 2 students are an ideal resource for helping the Patient-Centered Medicine program plan and carry out its annual Community Fair for first-year medical students. Over 25 central Ohio agencies participate in the day-long event, which is held each September on campus. The Med 1 students will also benefit from meeting with you at the fair and hearing your perspective on having completed the required Community Project.

Council of Chairs: All of the committee chairs for Project Professionalism serve on the Project’s Council of Chairs. Two students are selected each year to cochair the Council. This oversight committee for all activities convenes quarterly.

Difficult Discussions: This student effort expands the scope of small-group discussions into areas not always covered in the regular curriculum or provides more time to selected topics. Topics include interacting with difficult patients, dealing with bias in the medical work place, and working with patients with chronic illness.

Ether Arts: Interested in joining kindred spirits who share an appreciation of arts and literature in medicine and in our community? The Ether Arts group arranges group outings to sample cultural events, sponsors guest speakers, and provides venues to showcase the artistic talents of our students.
Gold Foundation Collaborations: Project Professionalism has been home base for the expansion of the Arnold P. Gold Foundation’s efforts to promote humanism in medicine, including the White Coat Ceremony, Gold Humanism Honor Society (GHHS), and Student Clinician’s Ceremony. Student members of the GHHS are selected by their third-year peers. The SCC marks the transition of second-year medical students to their clinical training.

Healer’s Art: Students who sign up for this program will receive an introduction to the Healer’s Art session, become acquainted with the content, and have the opportunity to become a part of this national program designed to focus on the humanistic aspects of medicine. The faculty leader is Cynthia Kreger, MD.

History of Medicine Committee: Can you imagine an era when medical education meant attending formal lectures for a quarter or two and being made an apprentice to a practicing physician for several years? Here’s an opportunity to bring the rich heritage of medicine to our students through guest lectures, Web materials, and photo essays highlighting the legacy of OSU medicine and medicine in general.

Humanism in Medicine: What better way to promote and acknowledge the humanistic efforts made by your peers at the College of Medicine than by nominating them for a monthly Candy Apple Award. Also new this year is a babysitting service to give fellow medical students assistance with their children.

Lecture/Discussion Planning Committee: This committee meets with the lecturers after the Med 1 Professionalism and Professional Well-Being lectures to share their ideas and recommendations for the next round of lectures for the new academic year. Students on this committee are also often asked to serve on the panels for the Med 1 lecture.

Med-Paws: Therapy dogs bring healing to individuals in hospitals and nursing homes. Students wanting to partner with their dog to become a therapy team will receive guidance in becoming trained and certified to visit patients in these sites. Assistance is also available for choosing a puppy that will make a good therapy dog.

MedServe: This committee provides medical students with opportunities to serve our local communities. MedServe was founded on the core values of charity, justice, compassion, and a belief in the right to health care access. Current service projects include partnering with Dana Vallangeon, MD, and the community of Franklinton on the near west side, collecting clothing for the homeless, and hosting speakers to talk about issues facing underserved populations.
Movies in Meiling: Movies in Meiling aims to inform and entertain through the art of cinema by presenting films that spark discussion and debate. Screenings take place on a monthly basis in Meiling Hall. All are invited to this free event. .
The Other Half Program: Event planning for this committee is student driven. Activities include social events and networking opportunities open to medical students and their significant others.

Podemos/Special Projects: This organization is dedicated to the medical service of marginalized communities in Honduras. Projects include a comprehensive study of health and health care in El Progreso and other select areas of the country. Medical service is planned for Siete de Abril and potentially other communities in the winter of 2009.

Premedical Professionalism Committee: Through the work of the Family Medicine Premedical Initiative, OSU undergraduates interested in medicine take part in informational meetings on professionalism as well as being assigned a medical student mentor. This committee works collaboratively with the Premedical Initiative and also collaborates with the Admissions Office in being a resource, bringing medical students onto the Admissions Committee, and offering support to the Early Admissions Pathway.
Professionalism Council: The Medical Center’s Professionalism Council is responsible for professionalism-based outreach into our medical community. Committees include Business Ethics, Communications, Clinical Practice, Education and Evaluation, and Research Ethics. Students interested in serving on a committee should contact linda.stone@osmc.edu. A committee chair from Project Professionalism also sits on the Professionalism Council and its Executive Committee.

Special Projects: This committee responds to student requests for assistance within the “culture” of professionalism. Topics range from informational sessions (Med 3 and 4 students speaking to preclinical students about scheduling clerkships) to informal get-togethers (couples’ potlucks) as well as stress workshops and other professional well-being initiatives. Members may also serve on panels, help design presentations, and plan special events.

For additional infomation, contact:

Linda Stone, M.D.
Associate Dean for Student Affairs
155 Meiling Hall
(614)292-5126
linda.stone@osumc.edu

Kendra Clemons
Cochair
kendra.clemons@osumc.edu

Marty Tam
Cochair
marty.tam@osumc.edu

Angela Douglas
Secretary
angela.douglas@osumc.edu

Jarrett Heard
Treasurer
jarrett.heard@osumc.edu