Below are details about how to participate in the Tow Awards.
2025 Update: All participating schools must sign the new 3-year Tow Award Agreement, an online form, which references the most up to date Tow Procedures and Criteria (2025).
Eligibility
Accredited schools of medicine in the US and Canada are eligible to participate in the Tow Humanism in Medicine Award program. If your school is eligible and does not yet participate in this program but would like to, please see “How to Apply” below.
Participating schools select a faculty and student awardee each year. Recipients need to be a graduating senior and a faculty member (MD or DO and/or member with substantial clinical teaching responsibilities).
Review the Tow Procedures & Criteria for a detailed list of nominee characteristics.
Tow awardees become members of the Gold Humanism Honors Society (GHHS).
Selection Criteria and Process
To participate in the Tow Awards, the Gold Foundation requires approved schools to complete the 3-year Tow Award Agreement. The agreement must be completed and signed by a dean of students or other authorized official on behalf of the School.
Nomination and Selection
The Gold Foundation champions humanism in healthcare, which we define as compassionate, collaborative, and scientifically excellent care. Those honored with the Tow Award are expected to reflect these values in daily practice and to continuously strive to be exemplars of humanism in healthcare.
Award recipients are selected by schools participating in the Tow Humanism in Medicine Award, a program of the Gold Foundation.
The Gold Foundation provides each awardee an award certificate and letter once notified of their selection by the school; each certificate is signed by the school’s dean.
While each school implements a unique nomination and selection process, it must adhere to the Tow Procedures & Criteria and must be equitable; draw from a diverse and inclusive pool of eligible students from the entire graduating class; establish a clear understanding of each nominee’s characteristics; and must incorporate explicit criteria for humanistic behavior as teachers and role models, following those listed in the Tow Procedures & Criteria.
Additionally:
- Self-nominations are not permitted.
- Faculty members must not have been selected for a Tow award in the last 5 years.
- House staff and residents are not eligible for the award.
- Posthumous awards are not permitted.
Schools submit the Interim Report Form to provide information about the award recipients, including a brief bio that outlines their humanistic qualities and a current headshot. Upon receipt of the complete information, the Foundation will prepare and mail the award packet including checks and certificates. Checks are made out directly to the awardees. To request an exception and have the check made out to your institution and distributed to your awardees on our behalf, please contact Michelle Sloane at msloane@gold-foundation.org.
Gold Humanism Honor Society (GHHS) and the Tow Award
For a school that has a GHHS chapter, it is likely that the student Tow awardee will be a member of GHHS, since the Tow Award recognizes exemplars of humanism in medicine. However, a fair and equitable nomination and selection process should draw from the entire body of graduating medical students, regardless of GHHS membership.
Faculty awardees should be available to support local GHHS chapter activities.
Honoring the Recipient
ATSU-KCOM Class of 2023 Senior Awards Banquet prior to commencement
It is expected that the Tow Award will be presented to each recipient at commencement or the school’s primary awards ceremony or event.
Each award recipient is presented with a certificate and letter from the Gold Foundation, becomes a member of the Gold Humanism Honor Society (GHHS) with access to the Gold Member Portal, and is listed on the Gold Foundation’s website in a searchable list. The faculty recipient is often invited to deliver remarks at the school’s annual White Coat Ceremony, and often serves on a school’s future Tow Award selection committee.
Publicizing the Award
The best time to introduce the Tow Award program is during orientation when introducing the Gold Foundation and all programs offered in partnership with your school.
When announcing the call for nominations and in all print and electronic materials announcing the award recipients, please remember to recognize the Arnold P. Gold Foundation, and tag us on social media.
How to Apply
More than 100 medical schools participate in this award. If your school does not yet participate in this program and would like to, please contact Louisa Tvito at ltvito@gold-foundation.org.
All new applications must include the following:
- Institutional Letter of Support
- Narrative describing the following:
- Background on school/institution and accreditation status
- The potential impact of this award
- How the awardees will be selected
- How the awards will be publicized on your campus
- When/how the award will be presented