Two at SIU Med School Receive 2005 Humanism Award

A faculty member and graduating senior from Southern Illinois University School of Medicine in Springfield have received the 2005 Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine Awards. Dr. John R. Fisk, professor of orthopaedic and rehabilitation surgery, and Dr. Quinn D. (Sanner) Bensi, a 2005 graduate from Decatur, were announced as recipients at the medical school's graduation on May 21. Awarded by the Arnold P. Gold Foundation, the national honor is given at many U.S. medical schools to a faculty member and graduating senior who demonstrate compassion, respect for patients and families, and clinical excellence .

Fisk's nominators said that as a pediatric orthopaedic surgeon, he "demonstrates strength of character and personal integrity in interactions with patients and students…and addresses each patient's individual needs and goes beyond his call of duty to give these children everything he can to better their lives….He is an inspiring teacher and clinician who treats his patients with the utmost sensitivity and has inspired medical students to be as committed and as compassionate as he is."

Fisk joined the SIU faculty in 1990. He completed his orthopaedic surgery residency at the University of Minnesota (1974) and earned his medical degree at the State University of New York at Buffalo (1969). He earned his bachelor's at Grinnell College in Grinnell, Iowa, (1965). Fisk is board certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery (1976).

Bensi's nominators said that they "have always been impressed by Quinn's caring and compassionate nature towards her patients and fellow students….She treats each patient as if that person is her only patient, devoting all of herself to the patient, ensuring that both medical and social needs are met….She consistently illustrates the finest professional behavior by personal example and is recognized by her peers for her outstanding achievement."

Bensi served on various committees -- class secretary, New Student Liaison Committee, Student Assembly and Student Ambassador -- and volunteered for several programs -- American Cancer Society's Special Friends program, Enos Elementary School mentoring program, the sexually transmitted diseases and AIDS high school education project, St. John's Breadline and Ronald McDonald House.

She begins pediatrics residency at Indiana University School of Medicine and Risky/Methodist/Wishard Hospitals in Indianapolis in July. She is the daughter of Daniel and Ellen Sanner of Decatur and is married to Mike Bensi from Algonquin. She is a graduate of Stephen Decatur High School (1997) and the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign, where she earned her bachelor's degree in biology and pre-medicine (2001).

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