Dr. Sari Hart: “I want my students to remember why they came to medicine.”

Dr. Sari Hart is an emergency medicine physician at Edward Hines Jr. VA and assistant professor at Loyola University of Chicago Stritch School of Medicine.

In March 2024, she was awarded the Stritch Humanism in Medicine award for developing and teaching a humanism-based elective course called Healer’s Art Reflection to Loyola medical students who receive training at Hines through VA’s academic affiliation program.

“It’s fascinating,” said Hart. “I was not looking for an award in my work. I focus on giving students tools and experiences that will enhance their own humanity and allow them to connect with their patients better and provide a safe space for their patients’ humanity. That’s something that’s really been lost in the whole medical education process.”

The award, which is given annually to a Loyola faculty physician, is a testament to the course’s impact on Hart’s students. This recognition comes from nominations of the student body and a vote. The criteria are a Loyola faculty physician who exemplifies the qualities of a caring and compassionate mentor in the teaching and advising of medical students.

Allowing students to bring their whole selves to their practice

“When I started the teaching some years back, I was very clear to keep my intention focused on the students. The intention was very focused on allowing them to bring their whole selves to their practice of medicine, to stay human, allowing them to remember why they came to medicine.”

Students say they have been impacted by her teachings and Hart herself. Dr. Emily Hagen, a former student, reflected on a session about grief where Hart shared her own story.

“She stood in front of dozens of medical students eloquently sharing her own story of grief and loss surrounding her father’s death,” Hagen shared. “In doing so, she embodied her humanity, growth and vulnerability in a way that I and medical students rarely see among physicians. I was in awe of her ability to connect with such a large classroom of students. I will forever remember her sharing her story.

“My medical school experience would not have been the same without Dr. Hart. Through her teachings, I learned many crucial skills in communication, reflection and self-awareness that I will carry with me throughout my career.”

“She is a visionary in teaching medical students.”

Developing this class was a long journey for Hart that began when she started practicing medicine. “I noticed there were big gaps in the things I thought I should know in order to interact with my patients. All of my role models were focused on the technical. I never saw anyone role model good interactions,” Hart said.

Hart spent years “developing, studying, learning and exploring.” She began developing a program of study to explore various human-focused topics, including grief and loss, mystery and awe, generous curiosity, social roles and social control, intractable problems in complex systems, and mindsight and neuroscience.

“She is a visionary in teaching medical students and she has done a lot of innovation in developing future programs for our medical students,” said Dr. Paul Nemeth, Hart’s supervisor. “She’s a great teacher for our students and our residents. I feel very proud she was honored in such a way.”

Hart remains focused on growing her course for the next generation of physicians. 

“It just fuels my interest in doing more, expanding it and really staying focused on the intention to give the skills to my physician learners,” she added.