Executive Director Bradley E. Barth, MD, MSLOD
The Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society (AΩA) Board of Directors has named Bradley E. Barth, MD, FACEP, FAAEM, its new Executive Director, effective December 1, 2023. Dr. Barth will be the seventh Executive Director of the Society since its inception in 1902.
Dr. Barth served as an At-Large member of the AΩA Board of Directors and has been involved with AΩA for more than a decade, first serving as the Chapter Councilor at the University of Kansas School of Medicine (KUSM) for seven years, and on the Councilors’ Task Force for six of those years. As a member of the Councilors’ Task Force, he was instrumental in working with Councilors and Board members to update the AΩA Constitution to recognize in the election of new members the highest levels of excellence, character, trustworthiness, leadership, professionalism, scholarship, and service, and to support elections that are inclusive, diverse, and equitable. The AΩA Board of Directors accepted the Councilors’ Task Force recommendations and amended the AΩA Constitution in October 2020.
While a Councilor at KUSM, Dr. Barth increased the number of newly elected AΩA students traditionally underrepresented in medicine from 6% to 24%, a trend that has continued since he stepped down as Councilor in 2022. His work on diversity, equity, and inclusion at KUSM has been used as an example of a best practice for numerous other AΩA Chapters across the country.
“The AΩA Board of Directors is delighted that Dr. Barth has accepted the Board’s offer to be the next Executive Director of AΩA,” said Holly Humphrey, MD, president, AΩA Board of Directors. “While we will miss Dr. Byyny, his leadership has provided a solid foundation for Dr. Barth to advance our Society into the future.”
“I would like to thank the Search Committee and Dr. Steven Wartman, immediate past president of AΩA, for their guidance and stewardship as we worked through the search process for the new Executive Director,” added Lynn Cleary, MD, AΩA At-Large Board member, and Chair of the Executive Director Search Committee. “The Committee received numerous applications, interviewed many outstanding applicants, and offers its unanimous support to Dr. Barth as the next AΩA Executive Director.”
Dr. Barth grew up in rural Kansas and graduated from Kansas State University with a degree in biology. He went to medical school on a Navy Health Professions Scholarship, and was inducted to AΩA in 1994 as a student at the University of Kansas School of Medicine. He is an Emergency Medicine physician having completed an internship in internal medicine at the Naval Medical Center of San Diego, and a residency in emergency medicine at the University of California San Francisco Fresno.
Following his internship and flight training, Dr. Barth served as the Flight Surgeon for the Black Stallions of Helicopter Combat Support Squadron FOUR, based out of Sigonella, Sicily. During his Naval career, he received the Navy Achievement Medal, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the NATO Medal, the Meritorious Unit Commendation, the Overseas Service Ribbon, and was named the Atlantic Fleet Flight Surgeon of the Year.
Dr. Barth has been active in faculty development for the KUSM since 2014. He has co-created many longitudinal faculty development programs including Doctors as Educators, Teaching for Excellence, and the Academic Excellence Development Program. He also developed the SOM Exit Interview Program, the New Faculty OnBoarding Program, Mentor Matching Program, and Pandemic Panel Discussion Series, and played a role in bringing coaching into the KUSM curriculum and to the campus.
“Dr. Barth embodies what it means to ‘Be Worthy to Serve the Suffering,’” said Richard L. Byyny, MD, FACP, executive director, AΩA. “I look forward to working with him as I transition out of the role of Executive Director, and into solely being the Editor of The Pharos.”
“I am honored to have been selected to lead AΩA, and appreciate our 120-years of celebrating excellence. I take seriously the importance of ensuring that the AΩA of the future continues flourishing as an inclusive, equitable, and diverse organization,” said Brad Barth, MD. “I look forward to working with the AΩA Board of Directors, Chapter Councilors, Members, and the National Office Staff, as I transition into this new role.”
In addition to his work at AΩA, Dr. Barth will continue his duties in the Emergency Department at KUSM. Dr. Barth will also continue his work with the National Football League as the sideline emergency management physician/airway management physician for the Kansas City Chiefs. In addition, Dr. Barth will continue working with the Kern National Network grant, “Developing Nourishing in Faculty and Students.” He will be stepping down from his role as the Associate Dean for Faculty Development.
Dr. Barth has a Master’s degree in leadership and organizational development from the University of Texas at Dallas in 2021. He is a professional and executive Associate Certified Coach through the International Coach Federation. He is a member of the Association of American Medical Colleges Council of Faculty and Academic Societies; the Group on Faculty Affairs; and the Resiliency Committee. He is a manuscript reviewer for Academic Emergency Medicine: Education and Training International, and a member of the Association for Medical Education in Europe. He also sits on the American Academy of Emergency Medicine Clinical Practice Committee, has been active on the Society of Academic Emergency Medicine Faculty Development Committee, and is a member of the American College of Emergency Physicians.
