For more information, contact: Boonshoft School of Medicine Marketing and Communications, Cindy Young at (937) 775-2951, or Phillip Neal at (937) 775-4587.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 22, 2009

Matthew Pellerite, M.P.H., to receive humanism, global service awards alongside M.D. degree

Pellerite will be honored during commencement ceremony for the WSU Boonshoft School of Medicine class of 2009

DAYTON, Ohio-Matthew M. Pellerite, M.P.H., will receive more than his M.D. degree during a commencement ceremony for the Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine class of 2009 on May 22. In addition to officially becoming a physician, Pellerite will be singled out for two special awards presented during the ceremony, which will take place in the Schuster Performing Arts Center in downtown Dayton.

Nominated by his classmates and teachers, Pellerite will receive the prestigious Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine award for a graduating medical student. The Arnold P. Gold Foundation sponsors the annual Humanism in Medicine Awards at more than 80 of the nation's medical schools. The foundation's goal is to improve doctor/patient relations and foster health care professionals who exhibit the highest level of respect, sensitivity and cultural competence for the patients and families they serve, and to nurture and perpetuate the tradition of the "caring doctor."

Pellerite was chosen for the award for his "consistency in demonstrating compassion and empathy in the delivery of health care to patients and their families." In addition, Pellerite will receive the Global Service Award, which recognizes his significant volunteer work in medical school, including service abroad in a medically underserved area.

A student in the medical school's innovative dual degree program, Pellerite completed an integrated five-year curriculum leading to both a medical degree and a master's degree in public health. Despite the demanding course work, Pellerite participated in many activities and earned numerous honors and awards during medical school. He served as vice president of the WSU American Medical Students Association (AMSA) chapter, as a delegate to the Association of American Medical Schools (AAMC) Organization of Student Representatives, and as a class representative. Pellerite was also active in the International Health Program and served as co-director of the Global Health Initiative student organization for one year. In 2007, he was inducted into the Gold Humanism Honor Society.

A native of Olmstead Falls in suburban Cleveland, Pellerite graduated from Olmstead Falls High School before earning a B.S. in natural sciences from Xavier University in Cincinnati. Following his graduation from Wright State, Pellerite will move on to a residency in pediatrics at the University of Chicago Medical Center.

The Gold Foundation sponsors a Humanism in Medicine Award for faculty members as well. The 2009 faculty award went to S. Bruce Binder, M.D., Ph.D., associate professor of family medicine and assistant professor of pharmacology and toxicology. Binder directs the Introduction to Clinical Medicine courses, which help first- and second-year students hone their clinical skills while striving to build relationships with patients and provide effective, compassionate care.

Editor's note: For more information or to schedule an interview contact: Phillip Neal, Marketing and Communications, Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine, (937) 775-4587 or phillip.neal@wright.edu.