Alpha Omega Alpha at Saint Louis University School of Medicine
Alpha Omega Alpha (AΩA) is the National Medical Honor Society and a professional medical organization that recognizes and advocates for excellence in scholarship and the highest ideals in the profession of medicine.
About AΩA
To join AΩA, you must be deeply driven to advance the medical field and exemplify the highest standards of professionalism. The society values honesty, honorable conduct, morality, virtue, unselfishness, ethical ideals, dedication to serving others and leadership.
National Highlights
- More than 50 Nobel Prize winners in physiology, medicine and chemistry have been AΩA members.
- More than 30 Nobel Prize winners were elected to AΩA prior to winning their award.
- Nearly 75% of U.S. medical school deans are members of AΩA.
- AΩA grants more than $575,000 annually to support awards, projects and prizes that recognize commitment to high-quality healthcare.
Eligibility and Selection
The SLU SOM AΩA chapter elects students, residents, fellows, faculty and alumni who distinguish themselves across scholarship, leadership, service and professionalism.
How Can You Qualify?
- The top 25% of your medical school class is eligible for nomination.
- Up to 20% of your graduating class is elected based on character and service.
- Physician-scholars can be elected via alternate paths (faculty, alumni, residents and fellows).
Your Process and Timeline
You will see eligibility announcements in the late spring or early summer. Your eligibility is determined by your third-year core rotation honor points (90%) and USMLE Step 1 performance (10%).
If you are an eligible nominee, you must submit a formatted CV to the selection committee, which will evaluate your leadership, research, service and scholarly activity during medical school. If you are chosen as a student officer, you will be selected at the end of your third year; otherwise, you’ll be selected at the start of your fourth year. You and your peers will celebrate the achievement at an induction banquet later that fall.
SLU AΩA Service Initiatives
The SLU SOM AΩA chapter participates in local initiatives so you can care for the St. Louis community.
American Cancer Society: Hope Lodge
The ACS Hope Lodge provides patients and their families a free place to stay while undergoing cancer treatment, offering a sense of community during challenging times. As a medical student, you can volunteer across all four years to prepare and serve meals for 30 to 50 patients throughout the school year.
Urban Harvest STL
Urban Harvest STL grows fresh produce on small urban farms around St. Louis. The harvest largely goes to local individuals and families living in food deserts. Each month during the growing season, you can join a group of 10 medical students on Saturday mornings to volunteer.