This year, the Society of Hospital Medicine will induct two new Masters in Hospital Medicine (MHM), the society’s highest professional honor. After the new honorees receive their designations, there will be only 30 MHMs society-wide, out of a universe of more than 60,000 hospitalists.
“The MHMs are truly the ‘hall of fame’ for hospital medicine and our society,” said Larry Wellikson, MD, MHM, the CEO of SHM.
SHM first introduced the MHM designation in 2010. The honor is reserved for hospitalists who have uniquely distinguished themselves in the specialty through the excellence and significance of their contributions to hospital medicine specifically and health care as a whole. SHM members are nominated for MHM consideration, and the SHM Board of Directors rigorously reviews qualifications and selects each year’s MHM class.
The two hospitalists receiving the MHM designation at HM19 are Brian Harte, MD, MHM, and Samir Shah, MD, MHM.
Brian Harte, MD, MHM
Dr. Brian Harte
“Dr. Harte was selected as an MHM in honor of his unwavering dedication to hospital medicine and the Society as a stellar clinician and inspiring leader,” Dr. Wellikson said.
Dr. Harte is president of Cleveland Clinic Akron General and the Southern Region and is an associate professor of medicine at Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine at Case Western Reserve University. He formerly served as president of Cleveland Clinic Hillcrest Hospital and Cleveland Clinic South Pointe Hospital.
Dr. Harte’s contributions to hospital medicine have been numerous, both as an educator and a clinician. “Because of his prowess for improving hospital operations while continuing to uphold the highest standards of clinical care, Dr. Harte advanced quickly, developing and growing the presence of hospital medicine throughout the Cleveland Clinic network,” Dr. Wellikson said.
Regarding the award, Dr. Harte said, “I’m honored to receive this recognition and would like to thank my colleagues at SHM. I will continue to work to advocate for patient care and to challenge physicians to lead improvements in quality and safety.”
Dr. Harte served on the SHM Board of Directors for 6 years, including serving as treasurer and president. He served on a number of committees, including the Annual Conference and Public Policy committees. He has presented at multiple SHM Annual Conferences on leadership, quality and patient safety, and hospital operations.
“SHM is progressive in its thinking,” Dr. Harte said. “The Society’s focus on staying ahead of changes in health care and advocating for patients makes it an organization that will shape health care in the years to come.”
Dr. Harte was also a deputy editor for the Journal of Hospital Medicine – SHM’s flagship, peer-reviewed publication for hospital medicine research – for 9 years, and was instrumental in developing its “Clinical Care Conundrums” series.