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Contact: Jennifer Bush (202) 828-0041,
jbush@aamc.org
AAMC Press Room
Oct. 23-26 Hilton Washington and Towers
202-482-3000
Adams Room
Embargoed for Release 7:00 p.m., EST, Oct. 23, 1999
Washington, D.C., October 23, 1999 -- The University of New Mexico Hospital's Andrew Hsi, M.D., M.P.H., is the first-ever winner of the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) Humanism in Medical Education award, sponsored by Pfizer, Inc., and the Pfizer Medical Humanities Initiative. The award recognizes a medical school faculty physician who is a caring and compassionate mentor for medical students, practices patient-centered care, and teaches ethics, empathy, and service by example.
Dr. Hsi, director of the Newborn Nursery at New Mexico University Hospital and of the Division of General Pediatrics, is best known for his work with drug- and alcohol- addicted mothers and their children. Dr. Hsi lectures worldwide on maternal substance abuse and subsequent health effects on neonates, and co-chairs the University and county Committee on Child Abuse and Neglect. He also designed the Los Pasos "steps" program which provides medical care and a variety of social services to infants prenatally exposed to alcohol and drugs. He has helped create the Milagro ("miracle") program, which serves drug-addicted pregnant women.
"It is the dream of every dedicated teacher to be recognized by students as an inspiration. It is the dream of every dedicated physician to be a healer and a motivating force for positive change in the lives of patients," write the residents who submitted Dr. Hsi's name for the Humanism Award. "And it is the true test of a humanist to be humble in the face of overwhelming success. Dr. Hsi will not rest on the merits of his success-he will always have another patient to help, another student to educate, another public policy battle to fight, another mother who needs an advocate."
Dr. Hsi serves as a mentor and advisor for many students. While this role is not an official one, students seek him out due to his reputation for honesty and compassion. Within the past four years, he has been officially recognized for his ability as a physician and a humanist. He was a finalist in the People's Choice Awards for the category of Miracles in Medicine at the University of New Mexico Hospital in 1995. In 1996, he was subsequently titled a "Miracle Maker" by the Children's Miracle Network and the Whitehall Robins Corporation.
"His own compassion has inspired students, residents, and faculty to be more compassionate toward their own patients," write the residents who nominated Dr. Hsi. "Most important, it has given many of his patients the impetus they needed to change their own lives."
Dr. Hsi attained his medical degree from the University of California at San Diego and his master's in public health from the University of Washington. He completed his residency training in pediatrics. Dr. Hsi's first faculty position was as a clinical assistant professor in pediatrics at the University of New Mexico.
The Humanism in Medical Education award winner is chosen based on a number of criteria, including, the faculty physician's professional and personal skills, personal attributes, and professional and academic activities. Seven qualities have been determined to be defining characteristics of humanism in medical education. They are:
For more information on this award, contact the AAMC's Office of Communications, (202) 828-0041 or visit the Pfizer Medical Humanities Initiative Website at www.positiveprofiles.com.
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The Association of American Medical Colleges represents the 125 accredited U.S. medical schools; the 16 accredited Canadian medical schools; some 400 major teaching hospitals, including 74 Veterans Administration medical centers; 91 academic and professional societies representing nearly 88,000 faculty members; and the nation's 67,000 medical students and 102,000 residents.
Additional information about the AAMC and U.S. medical schools and teaching hospitals available at www.aamc.org/newsroom.
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