Working to keep the care in healthcare
www.humanism-in-medicine.org
Summer 2013
GHHS PROFILE:
Meghan Wilson MD/PhD Quadriplegia is no match for her perseverance
THE GOLD
Humanism
While still in high school, Meghan Wilson
degree in neurobiology at the University
decided to become a doctor. Not a
of Florida. Thinking a medical degree was
surprising choice for someone near the
not achievable, she planned to conduct
top of her class, a member of the math
research. But the encouragement of a
league, and president of a service club.
professor to pursue a degree in medicine
is comprised of over 20,000
But during her senior year, Meghan’s life
changed her mind. With top MCAT scores
medical students, residents,
took an unanticipated turn. As the result
and grades and a successful research
of a skiing accident, her spinal cord was
project under her belt, Meghan applied
crushed. While Meghan eventually
for an MD/PhD program at 12 medical
recovered the use of her shoulders and
schools. Despite her stellar qualifications,
an elbow, she still has only
she was not accepted to any
very limited use of one arm
of them. They could not
and no sensation from the
conceive of a person with
neck down.
quadriplegia going to medical school or being a
Adjusting to life with quad-
physician.
riplegia is not easy. Meghan
Honor Society faculty and administrators recognized for practicing patient-centered care.
GHHS maintains a networked community which shares ideas, resources and support to sustain and advocate for the human side of medicine.
requires personal aides to
Clearly not one to give up,
help her wash, dress, and
Meghan tried again the
eat and uses an electric
following year. She reap-
104 American medical schools
wheelchair to get around.
plied to medical school, this
and 10 pilot residency chapters
With chapters at
But undoubtedly, one of the most difficult
time sending letters explaining how she
things for Meghan and other people with
planned to achieve her goal with the help
disabilities to learn to deal with are the
of trained medical assistants working
limitations that are the result of other
under her direction during patient
people’s attitudes and perceptions. It is
examinations. Of the 15 schools she
those societal attitudes and perceptions
applied to, University of Pittsburgh
that turn a disability into a handicap.
School of Medicine was the only one to
altruism, respect, empathy
admit her. This year, almost a decade of
and service.
After a year of rehabilitation and psycho-
hard work paid off, and Meghan received
logical adjustment to her quadriplegia,
her MD/PhD from Pitt.
Meghan pursued an undergraduate Interview continued on page 6
in teaching hospitals, GHHS members model the qualities of integrity, excellence, compassion,