S P E C I A L T H E M E A R T I C L E : U N I T E D S T A T E S Medical Humanities at New York University School of Medicine: An Array of Rich Programs in Diverse Settings Sharon K. Krackov, EdD, Richard I. Levin, MD, Veronica Catanese, MD, Mariano Rey, MD, Felice Aull, PhD, MA, Denitza Blagev, MD, Benard Dreyer, MD, Anthony J. Grieco, MD, Cristy Hebert, MA, Adina Kalet, MD, MPH, Mack Lipkin Jr., MD, Jerome Lowenstein, MD, Danielle Ofri, MD, PhD, and David Stevens, MD ABSTRACT The New York University School of Medicine has a rich tradition of cultivating programs in medical humanities and professionalism. They are drawn from the depart- ments, centers, students, and faculty in the School of Medicine, have linkages throughout the university, and are interwoven into the fabric and culture of the institu- tion. Some are centrally based in the School of Medicine’s deans’ office, and others are located in individual depart- ments and receive support from the dean’s office. This article describes representative programs for medical stu- dents and faculty. Curricular initiatives, the fundamental components of medical students’ learning, include a course entitled “The Physician, Patient, and Society,” a clerkship essay in the Medicine Clerkship, an opportunity for reflection during the medicine clerkship, and a medical humanities elective. In 2002, the Professionalism Initiative was launched to enhance and reflect the values of the medical profession. Its curriculum consists of a series of events that coordinate, particularly, with existing ele- ments of the first-year curriculum (e.g., orientation week, a session during anatomy, a self-assessment workshop, and a peer-assessment workshop). The Master Scholars Program is a group of five, theme-based master societies consisting of faculty and students who share common interests around the society’s themes. Programs developed for the societies include colloquia, faculty-led seminars, a man- datory student-mentoring program, and visiting scholars. Finally, the authors describe three high-quality literary publications created at New York University School of Medicine. Each of the initiatives undergoes regular criti- cal examination and reflection that drive future planning. Acad Med. 2003;78:977–982. N ew York University School of Medicine (NYU) has a rich tradition of cultivating programs in medical humanities and professionalism. They are drawn from the departments, centers, stu- dents, and faculty in the school of medicine; have linkages throughout the university; and have become interwoven into the fabric and culture of the institution. In this article, we illustrate several representative programs for NYU’s medical students and faculty. First, we describe curricular initiatives, the fundamental components of medical students’ learning to be physicians. Next, we describe an important, student- driven professionalism initiative that includes both curricu- lum and assessment. The Master Scholars Program develops activities related to curricular and extracurricular life. Fi- nally, we describe three high-quality literary publications created at NYU. All of these programs are rooted in the rich traditions of the school of medicine—a history of service and dedication to an underserved multicultural community and strong link- ages with our university. The programs, developed from the 1970s to 2002, have addressed important needs identified by faculty and students. Some are centrally based, in the School of Medicine’s deans’ office, and others are located in indi- Correspondence and requests for reprints should be addressed to Dr. Krackov, Director, Advanced Educational Programs, New York University School of Medicine, 550 First Avenue, New York, NY 10016; telephone: (212) 263-2196; fax: (212) 725-2140; e-mail: Sharon.krackov@med.nyu.edu. Information about the authors is at the end of the article. For more information, visit the program’s Web site at http://endeavor. med.nyu.edu/lit-med/. A CADEMIC M EDICINE , V OL . 78, N O . 10/O CTOBER 2003 977