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UT-HOUSTON DELTA CHAPTER Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society. What is AOA?. The National Medical H onor S ociety in US and Canada National headquarters is in Palo Alto, CA Founded in 1902 at the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Chicago by William Webster Root
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UT-HOUSTON DELTA CHAPTERAlpha Omega AlphaMedical Honor Society
What is AOA? • The National Medical Honor Society in US and Canada • National headquarters is in Palo Alto, CA • Founded in 1902 at the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Chicago by William Webster Root • Currently 120 Active Chapters and 3 Associations • AOA chapters in all but a few medical schools • UT-Houston AOA Chapter is the Delta chapter in Texas
AOA Mission Statement • Alpha Omega Alpha — dedicated to the belief that in the profession of medicine we will improve care for all by • recognizing high educational achievement • honoring gifted teaching • encouraging the development of leaders in academia and the community • supporting the ideals of humanism • promoting service to others.
What DOES AOA DO? • Nationally, Alpha Omega Alpha sponsors several programs, including: • Carolyn L. Kuckein Student Research Fellowships - a research fellowship that provides $3,000 to astudent and $500 to his/her faculty mentor • Helen H. Glaser Student Essay Awards and The Pharos Poetry Competition • Medical Student Service Project Awards • Annual Volunteer Clinical Faculty Award • Senior AOA Banquet • And a whole lot more!
What is membership based on? • Candidates must demonstrate: • Scholarship • Strength of character • leadership among peers • professionalism and a firm sense of ethics • promise of future success in medicine • commitment to service in the school and community
How are students elected to AOA? • Up to one-sixth of a graduating class may be elected to membership • In 2011, 32 students were elected to AOA • July - MS IV’s who meet the minimum requirements* are notified by email to submit a standard application • Research experience • Publications • Medical School Activities • Awards during Medical School • Community service during Medical School • Additional Relevant Activities or Contributions
How are students elected to AOA? • Early August - Faculty AOA members review: • Grades • Submitted CV Application • Bluebook • Mid August - Executive Committee reviews candidates submitted by AOA Faculty • Late August - Chapter members meet and vote
When does election take place? • Election results announced to members beforeSeptember 1so membership can be listed on residency applications Note: September 1st is the earliest date to submit the residency application
How is the top one-sixth of a class determined since UT-H does not have class rank? • Minimum requirements for consideration = sixHonors grades in years 1-3 (Honors required in both 1st 2 yrs and in 3rd year) • Honors grades are then weighted by: • Course hours during 1st and 2nd year • i.e. Honors in Biochem > Honors in Genetics • Lengthof course during 3rd year • i.e. Honors in 6 wk clerkship > Honors in 4 wk clerkship
MD /PhD or MD/MPH students are considered in their MS IV year
How is the top one-sixth of a class determined since UT-H does not have class rank? • After calculating the total number of points each student received for his/her total number of Honors, a “rank list” is developed • Research and extracurriculars are particularly important for those students nearing the “cut-off” point of the top 1/6 of the class • For example, if there is a tie for the last place within the 1/6 limit and one student has NO extracurriculars and the other has been involved in research/volunteer activities/etc, then the latter may be chosen • *There has been discussion about developing a point system for extracurricular activities, however, this has not happened yet
Aoa class of 2011-2012 • New members: 37 students • Total number of Honors: 11 – 25 • Specialties represented: • Internal Medicine (10) • Dermatology (6) • Radiology (5) • ENT (3) • Orthopedics (3) • Ophthalmology (2) • Ob/Gyn (1) • General Surgery (1) • Vascular Surgery (1) • Pediatrics (1) • Med-Peds (1) • Emer Med (1) • Unknown (2)
Need more information? • Feel free to contact: • Eugene Boisaubin, M.D. – Chapter Councilor (UT faculty advisor) • Student Co-Presidents • Ashley Battarbee, MS IV • Colin Massey, MS IV • Office of Student Affairs • AOA Website: www.alphaomegaalpha.org