Humanities in Medicine is an interdisciplinary program designed to support students' learning about the social and cultural contexts of health, illness and medical care. Because health care is never carried out in isolation from the economic, social and political realities of contemporary society, the program explores health within its larger social context. Undergraduate students from any discipline can pursue a minor in the program.
The program’s goal is to develop a broad understanding of the human side of health care by offering undergraduates an organized opportunity to take courses in diverse fields.
The program began in 1996 with the support of a gift from Linda and Charles Wilson. The Wilson Fund provides scholarships for pre-medicine students who major in a humanities or social sciences field (the Scholars' Program) and support for visiting speakers and special events.
The interdisciplinary minor began in 2008 and has grown in popularity each year, attracting students pursuing a wide variety of majors.