AΩA Charter
Journal & Programs
The Pharos
Published quarterly since 1938, THE PHAROS, journal of Alpha Omega Alpha,
is named for the great lighthouse at Alexandria. It is a continuing link among
members, all of whom receive the publication. THE PHAROS publishes a wide
spectrum of articles. In addition to exploring the practical, social, and
philosophical aspects of medicine, the magazine offers concise reports current
events affecting the profession, not only medical matters, but legislative and
economic developments. Its letters column provides members with an opportunity
to air their views and respond to opinions set forth in previous issues. In
addition, each issue contains news from AOA chapters, as well its reviews or
books and films of interest to the medical community.
Alpha Omega Alpha Visiting Professorships
As part of its goal to enrich the educational experience, the society
provides a number of chapters with the oppurtunity to sponsor visiting
professorships at their institutions during the academic year. Usually the
visiting professor is a scholar in a broad-based discipline-rather than a
highly specialized scientist-whose experience will speak to a wide spectrum
of students and to the university community. During the visiting professors
residence, he or she delivers the chapter's annual AOA lecture and
participates in the activities of the department of his or her primary
interest as well as related departments. The visitor may also meet in
informal sessions with groups of students and faculty members.
When the program was initiated in 1969, fifteen visiting professorships
were made available; because of its increasing popularity, up to twenty-five
chapters are now eligible to participate each year. In evaluating
applications, the society is particularly interested in maximum involvement
of student members in choosing the individual serving its hosts, and
participating in all aspects of the visit. Other criteria include needs and
activities of the chapter and how the visiting professorship will complement
them, and geographical isolation of the institution.
Leaders in American Medicine
In 1970, the society launched a program to record on film and videotape
interviews with leading figures in American medicine. Inspired by professor
Beatrice C. Seegal and the late professor David E. Seegal and made possible by
their generous benefaction, the program is carried out as a cooperative effort
with the National Library of Medicine and the National Medical Audiovisual
Center. Interviewed physicians who themselves have achieved distinction in
their fields, renowned men and women of American medicine reflect on their
formative years, the persons and events that influence them, the circumstances
surrounding their major contributions to medical education and medical science,
and the ebb and flow that occurred in their disciplines during their careers.
The recordings are available to the Alpha Omega Alpha chapters and may be
borrowed or purchased by universities, medical societies, and professional
and historical groups. They are a unique source of reference for young men and
women embarking on medical careers, as well as a permanent record of the
people who helped shape medicine in the United States.
"Worthy to serve the suffering"
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