Lehigh County Health & Medicine Spring 2021 - 17

L C M E D S O C .O R G

Two Lehigh Valley Health
System Medical Residents Receive

2020
HUMANENESS
IN MEDICINE
AWARD
from

LEHIGH COUNTY
MEDICAL
SOCIETY

Michael Chen is a 2nd year adult psychiatry resident with the Lehigh
very year, the Lehigh County Medical Society (LCMS)
Valley
Health Network. Nominated by his residency program director,
presents its Humaneness in Medicine Award to one or
Dr.
Chen
is described as a physician who excelled at his clinical rotations
more Lehigh County medical residents or fellows who
and
has
exhibited
particular enthusiasm in inpatient psychiatric care. He
have best displayed the ideals of outstanding compassion
is
the
kind
of
doctor
who spends the extra time talking with patients and
in the delivery of care, respect for patients, their families, and health care
their
family
members
to gather the necessary information to properly
colleagues, as well as demonstrated clinical excellence. In 2021, LCMS
assess
the
patient,
seeks
advice from other physicians, and develops
is proud to announce that Lisa Kurth, M.D., and Michael Chen, M.D.,
care
plans
to
provide
the
best possible level of care and support. He
have been selected as the 2020 Humaneness Award recipients.
has become a mentor to other residents, and is the first to volunteer to
Dr. Lisa Kurth is a surgical resident at the Lehigh Valley Health Network swap shifts to support residents who are ill. During the pandemic, he
who is described as " an advocate of values-based and patient-centered worked closely with other physicians to make sure his patients could
care. " An active listener, she focuses on the needs and preferences of her be treated directly in the ER at times when the hospital was full and
patients and their families, and advocates for those needs within the unable to take new patients.
medical system. One of only a few residents trained in physician wellness
Dr. Chen was nominated by his director of residency training, who
and support, Dr. Kurth also serves as a peer-to-peer mentor. And as a
describes
him as a standout in terms of compassion. In describing Dr.
trustee of the Lehigh Valley Health Network Resident Association, she
Chen,
she
provided an example of a case where Dr. Chen worked closely
routinely emphasizes physician wellness in her work and presentations.
to
help
a
young
patient and the patient's mother by spending time getting
During the pandemic, Dr. Kurth has been serving as a COVID front line
both
perspectives
and that of an outpatient provider, and then seeking
caregiver in the ICU, volunteering to handle overflow lines and ICU care.
guidance from several physicians within the department to make sure
In nominating Dr. Kurth, a colleague wrote: " Not only is she an he was developing the most appropriate and effective treatment plan.
excellent physician, but her effective leadership, mentorship and ability
LCMS is proud to have Dr. Kurth and Dr. Chen be the recipients
to connect with patients and convey compassion make her a role model
for medical students and residents across all specialties. As I progress in of this important award.
my own career, I will strive to give my patients the same level of care I
Located in Allentown, PA, LCMS represents physicians of all specialties
have witnessed from Dr. Kurth. "
on local issues. In coordination with the Pennsylvania Medical Society,
LCMS also works to address health issues at the state capitol.
SPRING 2021 | Lehigh County Health & Medicine 17

http://www.LCMEDSOC.ORG

Lehigh County Health & Medicine Spring 2021

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