Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA)
Purpose
Alpha Omega Alpha is the only national honor medical society in the world. Its raison d’ etre can be expressed in a phrase: to recognize and perpetuate excellence in the medical profession. As stated in the society’s constitution, “Alpha Omega Alpha is organized for educational purposes exclusively and not for profit, and its aims shall be the promotion of scholarship and research in medical schools, the encouragement of a high standard of character and conduct among medical students and graduates, and the recognition of high attainment in medical science, practice, and related fields.”
Membership
Election shall be limited to those candidates whose scholastic qualifications place them in the upper twenty-five percent of their class. The total number elected, however, shall not exceed one-sixth of the total number in that class expected to graduate. Not more than one-quarter of the quota (25 percent) may be elected prior to the final year of the medical course.
Each chapter has the responsibility of defining its own method of election, including determination of those eligible to vote. Notification of election to membership is made to students in the Fall.
Scholastic achievement should be the primary but not the exclusive basis for election of a student. In addition to the academic record, personal characteristics may be considered to the extent defined by the chapter: leadership, fairness in dealing with colleagues, compassion, integrity, and service to the school and community at large may be considered. Each chapter should define its own weighting system for such criteria as grades, faculty, and other comments, and personal attributes and attainments.
Faculty Councillor:
Barry M. Manuel, M.D.
bmanuel@bu.edu
