George C. Hill, Ph.D., professor of Medical Education and Administration, emeritus, was recently named the 2015 Student National Medical Association (SNMA) Hall of Heroes recipient.
Hill was inducted into the Hall of Heroes during the 51st annual Medical Education Conference for his work championing the cause for a diverse physician workforce as well as making a significant impact on supporting current and future SNMA members.
“I am honored to receive this recognition,” Hill said. “Mentoring has been one of the most important professional activities in my life, and I am humbled to receive the students’ recognition.
“The SNMA is an outstanding organization that brings together minority students and fosters their success, and our chapter leads the way in this effort.”
Hill was nominated for the award, one of the most distinguished honors given by the SNMA, by Vanderbilt University School of Medicine students.
Tiara Aldridge, M.D., an Obstetrics and Gynecology resident at Vanderbilt, wrote this in her nomination letter:
“He encouraged me to not only strive for academic excellence but to also become a selfless leader,” said Aldridge. “He told me he believed in me — he doesn’t know this, but keeping that in mind helped me push through in times of wanting to give up/throw in the towel. I owe much of my success to him,” she said.
Another student wrote:
“Relative to support of the minority medical student, there is none that has dedicated his life more to this cause regionally, and perhaps nationally.”
Founded in 1964 at Meharry Medical College and Howard University College of Medicine, the SNMA is committed to supporting current and future underrepresented minority medical students, addressing the needs of underserved communities, and increasing the number of clinically excellent, culturally competent and socially conscious physicians.
With more than 8,500 members, it is the oldest and largest student-run organization focused on the needs and concerns of medical students of color.