Dr. Elizabeth Fleming was honored for her dedication to patient care and medical education during the UW School of Medicine and Public Health White Coat Ceremony for incoming medical students. Fleming, an assistant professor in the UW Department of Family Medicine and Community (DFMCH), was selected by fourth-year medical students for induction into the Gold Humanism Honor Society (GHHS). The GHHS recognizes senior medical students, residents, and physician teachers for excellence in clinical care, compassion, and dedication to humanism in service. She also received the Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine Award for her outstanding compassion, respect for patients and their families, and clinical excellence.
Dr. Elizabeth Fleming, center, at the SMPH White Coat Ceremony in August.
Fleming’s approach to patient care and medical education is deeply rooted in narrative medicine.
“I came to medicine through the intersections between science and the humanities and have done my best to stay grounded in the power of stories in my clinical and academic work,” Fleming said. “I have had exceptional mentors throughout my career and feel so privileged to connect with and mentor our medical students and to share with them the joy of caring for patients in the primary care setting.”
Throughout her academic career and as a DFMCH resident at the UW Health Verona Clinic, Fleming has valued relationship building through art and science. She’s published several essays in medical journals, including JAMA and Family Medicine, about her experiences on healing from a missed diagnosis, transitioning to a new practice, and the pivotal moments in every student doctor’s life.
“Dr. Liz Fleming consistently demonstrates empathy, integrity, and dedication to her patients. Her ability to blend clinical excellence with genuine compassion makes her an outstanding candidate for the Gold Humanism Honor Society,” said Jaimie Kling, DO, FAAFP. “Dr. Fleming’s commitment to patient-centered care and her advocacy and passion to share these skills with her learners further supports her nomination.”
Another colleague, Dr. Christa Pittner-Smith, added, “Dr. Fleming exemplifies the qualities of the Gold Humanism Honor Society daily in her practice. Her patients regularly remark on her strong abilities to communicate, making them feel heard and seen as individuals as she partners with them on their care. Dr. Fleming is also a committed teacher, guiding early medical students on their development of key communication and exam skills and partnering with students across all four years of medical school in the development of skills needed in residency and beyond.”
Today, Fleming teaches the medical student electives Introduction to the Medical Humanities and Narrative Medicine, Storytelling, and Preparing for Residency, serves as a longitudinal teacher/coach for medical students and has developed narrative medicine curriculum for medical students, residents, and fellows. This curriculum focuses on the imposter phenomenon, medical error, and developing uncertainty tolerance.
“It is humbling to receive an award for work that brings me so much joy and I am deeply grateful to our students for this recognition,” added Fleming.
Published: October 2024