MACON — Augusta native Andrew “Drew” Goldsmith, M.D., was presented the Arnold P. Gold Foundation Leonard Tow Student Humanism in Medicine Award from Mercer University School of Medicine during commencement May 3 in Macon. Goldsmith, who also received his doctor of medicine degree at the commencement, was chosen by the medical school faculty for his empathic, sensitive and respectful behavior in providing patient care.

According to his professors, Goldsmith has been a model student for community service activities, regularly volunteering in the Macon Volunteer Clinic, the Macon Outreach Soup Kitchen, as well as many others.  He also took on leadership roles, serving as Team Leader for many programs, including a medical mission trip to Mexico, and a planned trip to Ghana, Africa. 

He has continued to demonstrate his leadership abilities, most notably serving as one of two class members on the Honor Council for three years.  In this critical role, he served as a resource and advocate for his colleagues, focusing on the humanistic and ethical components of learning and practicing medicine in today's environment.  Goldsmith was also one of four students chosen to serve on the Admissions Committee, and he was selected to represent the students on the Fundamentals of Clinical Practice Committee. 

Prior to attending Mercer, he attended the University of Georgia, graduating from the Honors Program in 2003 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Interdisciplinary Studies. During his time at UGA, Goldsmith was a tireless volunteer in his local community including serving as a mentor in the Clarke County Mentor Program, Campus Crusade, and the prison ministry for his church.  In addition, he was an active member on mission trips to China and Mexico.  After graduation, Goldsmith gained valuable clinical experience as a burn technician in the Burn Unit of Doctors Hospital in Augusta, where he was also involved in a research protocol comparing enzymatic debridement to standard of care treatment. 

Following his graduation, Goldsmith will now complete his residency training in medicine-pediatrics at the Greenville, S.C., Hospital System and the University of South Carolina School of Medicine.

About the Arnold P. Gold Foundation Humanism in Medicine Award:

A key component of medical education is the compassionate and humanistic care of patients. In support of that premise, the NBI Healthcare Foundation initiated the Humanism in Medicine Awards to recognize and honor graduating students and faculty members who have demonstrated the highest standard of compassion and sensitivity in their interactions with patients. Each year Mercer University School of Medicine graduating students and the faculty select a faculty member and a student who embody empathic, sensitive and respective behavior in providing patient care.

About Mercer University School of Medicine:

Celebrating its 25th year, Mercer University’s School of Medicine was established in 1982 to educate physicians and health professionals to meet the primary care and health care needs of rural and medically underserved areas of Georgia. The School only accepts Georgia residents into its medical degree program. Students entering Mercer University School of Medicine will be graduated from a school that utilizes a problem-based medical education program that provides early patient care experiences. Such an academic environment fosters the early development of clinical problem-solving and instills in each student an awareness of the place of the basic medical sciences in medical practice. In June 2007, the University announced it would expand its two-year clinical program at Memorial University Medical Center into a second full, four-year doctor of medicine program by fall 2008. The School also offers master’s degrees in public health, family therapy, and nurse anesthesia.

About Mercer University:

Founded in 1833, Mercer University is a dynamic and comprehensive center of undergraduate, graduate and professional education. The University has 7,300 students; 11 schools and colleges – liberal arts, law, pharmacy, medicine, business, engineering, education, theology, music, nursing and continuing and professional studies; major campuses in Macon, Atlanta and Savannah; four regional academic centers across the state; a university press; two teaching hospitals — Memorial University Medical Center and the Medical Center of Central Georgia; educational partnerships with Warner Robins Air Logistics Center in Warner Robins and Piedmont Healthcare in Atlanta; an engineering research center in Warner Robins; a performing arts center in Macon; and a NCAA Division I athletic program. For more information, visit www.mercer.edu.

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