AΩA Charter

Membership

Election to Alpha Omega Alpha is a distinction that accompanies a physician throughout his or her career. Especially for the younger physician, the society provides a forum for the exchange of ideas, as well as a source valuable contacts. Member's can be elected as students, graduates, or faculty of an affiliated institution, or, because distinguished achievement in any field, on an honorary basis. Elections in the first three categories are carried out by the individual chapters. Chapters elect undergraduate members from students in their last two years of medical school. Scholastic excellence is a key criterion, but not the only one for election; capacity for leadership, compassion and fairness in dealing with one's colleagues are also to be considered. Students who are in the top academic quartile of their class are eligible for election, but the number elected may not exceed one-sixth of the graduating class. The students elected to the society are men and women who have compiled the requisite high academic standing and who, in the judgment of the members of the local chapter, have shown promise of becoming leaders in their profession. As noted above, opportunities exist for later election to the society of those not selected as undergraduates. The number of students elected from any class may not exceed one-sixth of those expected to be graduated.

Although not elected as an undergraduate, a graduate of a college at which a chapter exists may be elected ten years after graduation, based on achievement. In addition, a chapter may elect one member each year from the faculty medicine at its institution. Honorary members are elected by the society's board electors.

"Worthy to serve the suffering"