Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society

University of Maryland School of Medicine

Maryland Beta Chapter of AOA

FAQ

  1. What is ΩA?

    Alpha Omega Alpha is a national honor society for medical students which promotes student leadership, community service, and excellence in academics. AΩA has local chapters at most medical schools, which elect members from their student body.

  2. How does one join?

    Membership is determined by an election among current AΩA faculty, residents, and students at the University of Maryland. Qualities that are highly regarded are academic excellence, leadership, and service to the medical school and patients.

  3. What kind of student can join?

    To be eligible for AΩA, a student must be in the 25% of the class based on academic standing. Of the top quarter of students, up to 15% of the class can be elected to AΩA per year.

  4. When do the elections take place?

    There are 2 elections every year, one in the Spring electing members from the Junior class, and another in the fall for considering Seniors for membership.

  5. What does AΩA do?

    From the AΩA Charter: "It is the duty of members to foster the scientific and philosophical features of the medical profession, to look beyond self to the welfare of the profession and of the public, to cultivate social mindedness, as well as individualistic attitude toward responsibilities, to show respect for colleagues, especially for elders and teachers, to foster research and in all ways to ennoble the profession of medicine and advance it in public opinion. It is equally a duty to avoid that which is unworthy, including the commercial spirit and all practices injurious to the welfare of patients, the public, or the profession"