Gold Humanism Honor Society

GHHS Programs & Initiatives

This page showcases the diverse and impactful initiatives led by the Gold Humanism Honor Society (GHHS) and its members. Rooted in the core values of empathy, integrity, and patient-centered care, GHHS initiatives aim to foster humanism in medicine at every level—within institutions, communities, and across healthcare practices.

Explore our wide range of programs, from Solidarity Week, Thank a Resident Day, community outreach and global health projects to professional development and peer mentorship opportunities. Each initiative is designed to inspire collaboration, drive innovation, and empower healthcare professionals to lead with compassion.

Whether you’re looking to get involved, connect with like-minded individuals, or seek inspiration for your own chapter, this page offers valuable insights into the transformative work of GHHS members.

Click on each heading below to explore our initiative pages and discover more about the impactful work being done.

Solidarity Week

Solidarity Week for Compassionate Patient Care, initiated by the Gold Humanism Honor Society (GHHS) in 2011, is an annual event dedicated to promoting compassionate, patient-centered care. It aims to strengthen the relationships between healthcare providers and patients, emphasizing empathy, personalization, and mutual respect. During this week, GHHS chapters and healthcare institutions nationwide participate in activities such as the Tell Me More® initiative, appreciation events for patients and staff, and outreach programs that highlight the importance of humanism in medicine.

Thank a Resident Day

Thank a Resident Day is an annual celebration led by the Gold Humanism Honor Society (GHHS) that takes place on the last Friday of February. It recognizes the hard work, dedication, and compassion of resident physicians and fellows, who play a crucial role in healthcare teams. The initiative encourages chapters across the nation to show appreciation for residents through thoughtful gestures and activities. Since its inception in 2018, the event has expanded to hundreds of institutions, fostering gratitude and humanism within the medical community.

Tell Me More About Your Community: Partnerships in Humanism

Tell Me More About Your Community: Partnerships in Humanism is a multi-year GHHS initiative designed to deepen humanism in healthcare by encouraging chapters to engage meaningfully with the communities they serve. This initiative invites GHHS members to explore and honor the unique demographics, cultures, values, and challenges shaping local populations. Each year builds on the last—starting with Year 1: Community Discovery, where chapters gather real-world insights through direct engagement and data collection, culminating in a creative capstone project that tells the story of their community. Through sustained reflection, collaboration, and action, this initiative aims to create a living hub of shared learning across GHHS chapters, amplify humanistic leadership, and foster long-term impact through community-rooted relationships.

GHHS Companion Chapters

GHHS Companion Chapters is a 2025–2026 initiative designed to foster mentorship, collaboration, and mutual learning by connecting GHHS chapters across the country—and around the world. Whether you’re part of a new chapter seeking support or a well-established one ready to share insights, this program offers a unique opportunity to build meaningful peer-to-peer relationships, exchange best practices, and explore how humanism in medicine is expressed across diverse institutional and cultural settings. Through shared service projects, mentorship, virtual exchanges, and open dialogue, Companion Chapters will strengthen the GHHS community and empower members to grow as humanistic leaders—together.