Dr. Milton W. Hamolsky honored with the 2013 Human Dignity Award

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A major contributor to hospice and palliative care

Milton Hamolsky M.D.PROVIDENCE – Dr. Milton Hamolsky, long considered a pioneer within the medical profession, was honored on Sept. 24 with the Human Dignity award from Home & Hospice Care of Rhode Island (HHCRI).  He has had a long and illustrious career in Rhode Island, where he was the first full-time chief of medicine at Rhode Island Hospital.

In that position he, along with Pierre Galletti and J. Walter Wilson, helped create the Master of Medical Science program at Brown University. This program eventually grew into the medical school that has attracted medical professionals to the state, resulting in the high level of quality care that Rhode Island experiences today.

A 1943 graduate from Harvard Medical School who finished first in his class, Hamolsky began his career at Beth Israel Hospital in Boston as chief medical resident. From there, he left to serve in the Army, before earning a Commonwealth Fellowship that allowed for a year of research in France, where he developed the T3 uptake test, which is still used to evaluate human thyroid function.

Hamolsky began working in Rhode Island in 1963. During his career, he has also been a senior consultant to Miriam Hospital and the Veterans Administration Hospital; physician-in-chief at Women and Infants Hospital; chairman of the Rhode Island Heart Association; president of the Rhode Island Diabetes Association; and Governor of the American College of Physicians.  In 1987, Hamolsky retired from his work at Rhode Island Hospital, only to take on the role of Chief Administrative Officer for the state’s Board of Medical Licensure and Discipline, a position he held until the end of 2001.

The American College of Physicians gives an annual Lifetime Achievement Award in his name. The Rhode Island Hospital medical staff also presents an annual Milton Hamolsky Outstanding Physician of the Year Award.

Hamolsky is a member of the board of directors of the HHCRI. The HHCRI is the major teaching affiliate for hospice and palliative medicine of the Warren Alpert Medical School. Every year, HHCRI honors an individual who has made significant contributions to enhancing human dignity and meaning at the end of life.

“It is with great joy and gratitude that we honor Dr. Hamolsky today with our 2013 Human Dignity Award,” said Diana Franchitto, president and CEO of HHCRI.  “I am thrilled to recognize someone who is so important and special to the medical community here in Rhode Island.  He is a champion for the values we share at Home & Hospice Care of Rhode Island, and we are indebted to him for his work in this community and across the profession.” The award, started in 2011, was created in memory of Martin Temkin, a former HHCRI board member, long-time benefactor and staunch hospice advocate.

“It is beyond fitting to honor Dr. Hamolsky today for his commitment to the dignity of the patient,” said Joseph Chazan, M.D., who helped present the award. “Above all, Dr. Hamolsky recognizes and respects the sanctity of the patient/doctor relationship and the need for humanism and compassion in the treatment of patients, especially those in hospice care.”

Dr. Hamolsky thanked the members of HHCRI for their dedication to caring for people in their last stages of life.  “Hospice is one of the best groups of human beings I have ever been associated with.  They are the most compassionate, committed, dedicated people I know,” said Hamolsky.  “This is the gold standard.”

The awards breakfast was held at the Providence Marriott and included comments from Vince Mor, Ph.D., who is a member of the HHCRI board of directors. He reflected on why the award was created. Rabbi Leslie Gutterman recounted Dr. Hamolsky’s many remarkable accomplishments and contributions to the Rhode Island medical community.

Home & Hospice Care of Rhode Island: 1085 North Main St., Providence, 415-4200, hhcri.org

Lee Kossin, a Providence resident, is a freelance writer and ceramicist.