Center for Ethics and Humanities
Medical Humanities Certificate Program
Program Description (2015-2016)
Director
Coordinator
Dr. Cheryl Erwin
5B101A
p: 806-743-6772
f: 806-743-4250
cheryl.erwin@ttuhsc.edu
Joanna Franks
5C105
p: 806-743-4062
joanna.franks@ttuhsc.edu
MEHS Officers
Josh Willms, President
j.willms@ttuhsc.edu
Matthew Amodeo, Vice President
matthew.amodeo@ttuhsc.edu
Ryan Major, Secretary
ryan.t.major@ttuhsc.edu
Karl Mueller, Treasurer
karl.mueller@ttuhsc.edu
*Please feel free to email any officer with questions about the program.*
Goals
The goals of the Certificate Program are:

To enhance the traditional medical curriculum given that medicine must be viewed
as both an art and a science

To explore the practice of medicine through the lenses of ethics, the humanities,
and spirituality, including history, world views, various religious traditions, literature,
social sciences, cultural studies, and the arts

To enhance a patient-centered approach to medical care through a deeper
appreciation of the human condition

To cultivate and develop an awareness of healing in practitioners who are culturally
competent, ethical, and compassionate caregivers
Upon completion of this curriculum, a medical student will be awarded a four-year Certificate in
Medical Ethics and Humanities and given distinction as a John P. McGovern Humanities Scholar.
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Center for Ethics and Humanities
Medical Humanities Certificate Program
Requirements
MS1 Year
 Participate in at least four seminar courses by the end of the MS2 year. Two of these must be
core courses.
 Attend two distinguished speaker events.
 Complete one reflection paper.
 Complete a significant volunteer activity. May be deferred to the MS2 year.
 Participate in the Summer Reading Course.
 Submit an updated requirements portfolio.
MS2 Year
 Participate in the Introduction to Medical Humanities Seminar.
 Participate in at least four seminar courses by the end of the MS2 year. Two of these must be
core courses.
 Attend two distinguished speaker events.
 Complete one reflection paper.
 Complete a significant volunteer activity, unless completed during the MS1 year.
 Identify an area of inquiry to be investigated as the Senior Project.
 Submit an updated requirements portfolio.
MS3 Year
 Participate in in the Reflective Writing Workshop.
 Complete online journal reflections for five of the required rotations.
 Attend one evening program sponsored by the Center.
 Begin work on the Senior Research Project.
 Submit an updated requirements portfolio.
MS4 Year
 Attend one evening program sponsored by the Center.
 Complete, submit, and present the Senior Research Project by February 28.
 Submit a completed requirements portfolio.
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Center for Ethics and Humanities
Medical Humanities Certificate Program
Definitions

Core Courses – Two of these three courses must be completed by the end of the MS2 year.
Includes Health and the Human Spirit (HHS), Health Law and Bioethics, and Introduction to
Medical Humanities (IMH).

Elective Courses – These courses are optional, but count towards the four seminar courses that
must be completed by the end of the MS2 year. Includes Medicine in Film and The Art of
Listening. Core courses may be repeated as electives during the MS2 year if content is not
repeated.

Student Requirements Portfolio – A record of a student’s involvement in the Certificate
Program that demonstrates that all requirements have been completed. An updated copy must
be submitted at the end of each school year.

Distinguished Speaker – A speaker sponsored by the Center. Students will be notified of
upcoming distinguished speaker events. The Certificate Program Banquet counts as a
distinguished speaker event.

Reflection Paper – An informal paper of one-page length or more that describes something
meaningful that the student did in the Certificate Program during the last year. Special focus
should be placed on the student’s personal development.

Significant Volunteer Activity – A volunteer activity of the student’s choice. The student must
submit a short summary of the activity. May be completed during the MS1 or MS2 year.

Evening Program – One of various evening events hosted by the Center, often for the purpose
of cultivating discussion of philosophy and other important topics. Students will be notified of
upcoming evening programs. The Certificate Program Banquet counts as an evening program.

Reflection Journal – An electronic journal in which a student makes entries in response to his or
her experiences during the required MS3 rotations. Three journal reflections must be made for
each of five of the required rotations. Reflections should be submitted by email in Word
document format.

Senior Research Project – A project completed during the MS4 year through which a student
explores a concept in the field of ethics, literature, philosophy, religion, creative writing, or
performing arts. There are no strict requirements, but every Senior Research Project must be
approved by the Director. The student must complete, submit, and present his or her project.
*Please submit all written assignments to joanna.franks@ttuhsc.edu.*
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Center for Ethics and Humanities
Medical Humanities Certificate Program
Courses
* Core course
Course
Dates
Note that course content changes each year
Time
Description
Requirements
Location
Certificate
Program
Orientation
Aug 17
4:30-5:30
PM
Learn more about the
Certificate Program in this
informational session.
N/A
ACB 110
Health and the
Human Spirit
(HHS) *
Aug 31, Oct 5, Nov
2, Dec 1, Jan 4, Feb
1, Feb 29, Apr 4
12:001:00 PM
Discover the importance of
spirituality to patient care
and how to integrate it into
all aspects of clinical work.
Attend 6 out
of 8 sessions
for credit
ACB 250
Landmark
Cases in
Bioethics and
Law *
Sep 14, Oct 12,
Nov 9, Dec 7, Jan
11, Feb 8, Mar 7,
Apr 11
12:001:00 PM
Gain knowledge of terms,
methods, frameworks, and
resources that are useful for
engaging in ethical analysis
of clinical issues.
Attend 6 out
of 8 sessions
for credit
ACB 100
Introduction to
Medical
Humanities Narrative (IMH)
*
Sep 21, Oct 19,
Nov 16, Dec 14, Jan
20, Feb 15, Mar 21,
Apr 18
12:001:00 PM
Experience an introduction
to medical humanities by
learning about historical,
literary, artistic, and cultural
aspects of medicine.
REQUIRED
FOR MS2;
attend 6 out
of 8 sessions
for credit
2C223
The Art of
Listening
Oct 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
Nov 5, 12, 19
12:001:00 PM
Physicians must use all their
senses during the doctorpatient interview. This
course teaches listening
skills through music.
Attend 6 out
of 8 sessions
for credit
2C221
Patients in Film
Sep 28, Oct 26,
Nov 23, Jan 25, Feb
22, Mar 28, Apr 25
5:00-7:00
PM
Movies provide a peek into
the thoughts behind
popular culture. Go on a
journey through time and
learn how medicine has
historically been perceived.
Attend 6 out
of 8 sessions
for credit
2C221
Summer
Reading Course
Summer
N/A
Join other students in this
online course by reading
and discussing a book that
pertains to medical
humanities.
REQUIRED
FOR MS2;
post and
comment for
credit
Webbased
MS3 Reflective
Writing
Workshop
Odessa: Aug 21
5:00-6:00
PM
Learn how to enhance your
observational skills in a
clinical setting by writing
and reflection.
REQUIRED
FOR MS3;
attend one
workshop for
credit
Webbased
Amarillo: Sep 4
Lubbock: Oct 9
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