Norman Fost, MD, MPH, was inducted into the Society of Scholars as part of the commencement activities at Johns Hopkins University on May 26. The society – the first of its kind in the nation – includes former Johns Hopkins faculty and postgraduate students who have gained marked distinction elsewhere in their fields. Fost was cited for his pioneering work in the creation of hospital ethics committees; the first national guidelines on human embryonic stem cell research; his influence on policies affecting access to human growth hormone; and his challenge to conventional views about use of performance-enhancing drugs by elite athletes.
The Society of Scholars, which has 551 members, was created by Johns Hopkins University president Milton S. Eisenhower in 1967. Its members are selected by a committee from all of the academic divisions at Johns Hopkins University.