RE: Diploma Design

To Whom It May Concern:

We, the undersigned, would like to submit a formal request to modify the current design of diplomas given to graduating resident physicians and chief residents from Northwell Health residency programs. For reasons outlined below, we believe the design can be improved upon from its current state. This letter has been reviewed and signed by current residents across various departments within Northwell Health as well as alumni resident. Specifically at Lenox Hill Hospital, diplomas presented in recent years (Figure 1), represent a significant departure from the traditional format previously presented (Figure 2).  We believe these changes have diminished and sterilized the visual representation of the pride we feel towards this incredible accomplishment, with a resulting negative impact on the emotional experience of this touchstone event.  Below we will outline the reasons we feel strongly in this matter and provide our own recommendations for our preferred design changes.  We would humbly request that you consider these arguments and concerns. We would be happy to provide resident representation in a formal setting to present our concerns in person and to discuss suitable alternative designs in more depth.

Residency is the defining experience of medical education and an accomplishment which carries deep import to all physicians, perhaps more than any other step in our educational journeys.  It represents a time not only of personal sacrifice and challenge but also immense growth and accomplishment. Never has this been more true than for recent trainees, who have pursued this under the shadow and burden of the COVID-19 pandemic. Just as we have experienced a unique set of challenges throughout our education related to the pandemic, we look forward to our graduation with a deeper sense of pride and gratitude to the hospital and health system which has been our medical home and classroom.

We have been informed that similar concerns may have been raised in the past, and that the Graduate Medical Education committee at the Northwell Health system level may have formally voted to approve the current design. The residents have been provided feedback that the impetus in the design change was in part related to ensuring that the font would reflect selected Northwell corporate branding. The use of a simple printed font allows ease of recognition and legibility from a distance for patients attempting to access healthcare in our system or viewing advertisement.  While we understand the health system’s desire to establish consistency in branding, we strongly disagree with the application of these font and design decisions relative to the resident degree.  Brand recognition can be retained with use of the Northwell and Zucker School of Medicine logos, but does not reflect the greater purpose of the document and should not be applied to the entire design.

The resident degree serves a distinctly different purpose than hospital signage, patient pamphlets, or television advertising.  It is meant to reflect the honor and distinction of the institution relative to graduate medical education.  The traditional use of formal papers (vellums or parchments), calligraphy, and embossed seals are hallmarks of a document which required a deep dedication, personal investment, and time to create.  These characteristics directly reflect the efforts that graduating residents have dedicated to and received from their graduate education.  When applied to a diploma which, whether viewed on an office wall or within one’s home, these characteristics and memories are more accurately conveyed.  In contrast, a diploma characterized by a printed font designed for patient advertisement is more communicative of rapid and easy corporate transaction than the deeply personal and challenging experience. 

For most physicians, our residency diploma is the last one received in a long, arduous journey to becoming a board-certified practicing physician. We proudly display these in our medical offices along with our undergraduate and medical school diplomas. We believe this is a common opinion amongst recent graduates.  We have discussed these concerns with alumni, many of whom express dissatisfaction with the current thematic message of the design, and have therefore chosen to only display their undergraduate and medical school diplomas.  In accordance with the above document, we would like to request that you reconsider your prior decisions and apply changes to the diploma theme outlined above.  We strongly desire a diploma that more accurately reflects the efforts and sentiments of graduating residents and their sponsoring institutions in this formative experience.

Sincerely,

Current and Alumni Residents of Northwell Health Residency Programs

Academic Faculty and Staff of Northwell Health Residency Programs