San Francisco, CA, November 9, 2002 - Edward F. Bell, M.D., professor of pediatrics at the University of Iowa Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, is the fourth recipient of the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) annual Humanism in Medicine Award. The award, sponsored by the AAMC and the Pfizer Medical Humanities Initiative, honors a medical school faculty physician who is a mentor for medical students and a practitioner of patient-centered care.

Dr. Bell, a neonatologist, is recognized by faculty, staff, patients, and students for his compassion and sensitivity in the delivery and teaching of medicine. He is a proponent of one-on-one student-teacher relationships, a technique described by a fellow professor as "the most effective way for him to help students develop their own approaches, their own thought processes, and eventually their independence… more often than not coming across as a peer, rather than the all-knowing professor."

Dr. Bell's colleagues and students express admiration for the special relationships he forges with patients and their families, often staying in contact with these families for years after the birth of a child. The dignified way in which he offers encouragement, empathy, and counsel has helped hundreds of families through the emotional turmoil of caring for newborns with complex diseases, and has helped many families through the process of grieving the loss of their children.

A University of Iowa faculty member since 1979, Dr. Bell earned his medical degree from the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. He completed residency training in pediatrics and a fellowship in neonatology. Dr. Bell has traveled with a number of medical humanitarian teams, training foreign medical professionals in Romania, Portugal and Russia in the field of newborn care.

The Humanism in Medicine Award recipient is selected by the national selection committee of the AAMC's Organization of Student Representatives Administrative Board. The award winner is chosen according to a number of criteria, including professional and personal skills, personal attributes, and professional and academic activities. The defining characteristics of humanism in medical education are: positive mentoring skills, compassion, collaboration, tolerance, sensitivity, active community service, and demonstration of personal ethics.

# # #

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 Veterans Administration medical centers; more than 105,000 faculty in 98 academic and scientific societies; and the nation's 66,000 medical students and 97,000 residents. Additional information about the AAMC and U.S. medical schools and teaching hospitals is available at www.aamc.org/newsroom.

# # #

The Association of American Medical Colleges is a not-for-profit association representing all 129 accredited U.S. and 17 accredited Canadian medical schools; nearly 400 major teaching hospitals and health systems, including 68 Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers; and 94 academic and scientific societies. Through these institutions and organizations, the AAMC represents 109,000 faculty members, 67,000 medical students, and 104,000 resident physicians. Additional information about the AAMC and U.S. medical schools and teaching hospitals is available at www.aamc.org/newsroom.

Contact Us    © 1995-2008 AAMC    Terms and Conditions    Privacy Statement