Alpha Omega Alpha, founded in 1902, is a medical honor society dedicated to the belief that we can 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, and promoting service to others.\u00a0Election to Alpha Omega Alpha signifies a lasting commitment to scholarship, leadership, professionalism, and service. Membership in the society confers recognition of someone\u2019s dedication to the profession and art of healing. UNC\u2019s chapter of AOA was founded in 1954 and is proud to induct new medical students, residents, fellows, faculty, and alumni into the chapter each year.<\/p>\n
Election into AOA <\/span>is<\/span> conducted twice a year, with Spring e<\/span>lections<\/span> falling <\/span>near the end<\/span> of Application Phase and Fall elections <\/span>falling<\/span> near the end of August\/beginning of September prior <\/span>to the deadline<\/span> for residency applications. <\/span>Students will be notified via email by AOA leadership when the next election cycle is approaching<\/span>. There are three components to the AOA application:<\/span><\/p>\n Applicants are reviewed by a committee of faculty and students in a three-phase process. The faculty on the committee are chosen each year from UNC SOM faculty, fellows, and residents who have previously been elected to AOA. The students on the committee are medical students who are currently members of UNC\u2019s AOA chapter. <\/span><\/p>\n During the first phase, one faculty member and one medical student will independently review an <\/span>applicant’s<\/span> CV using a standardized rubric. These reviewers evaluate the applicant based on <\/span>scholarly activities, leadership capabilities, and a record of service<\/b> to the school and community. The evaluation criteria has been revised to also include a focus on activities that <\/span>demonstrate<\/span> a commitment to supporting <\/span>underserved groups<\/b>. Should evaluations of the reviewers differ significantly, AOA leadership will conduct a <\/span>reconciliatory<\/span> review of the evaluations to identify any pertinent <\/span>discrepancies to score candidates appropriately.<\/span><\/p>\n In the second phase, essay responses will be reviewed. Once again, one faculty member and one medical student will independently review the applicant\u2019s essay using a standardized rubric. During this phase, Application Phase grades will also be added to a student\u2019s application, but their contribution is only one component to an applicant\u2019s overall score.<\/span><\/p>\n Applicants <\/span>are also evaluated based on their ethical standards and demonstrated professionalism. Any applicant with a record of a failing clerkship grade and\/or professionalism offenses may be removed from consideration for AOA by the election committee and\/or the Dean of Student Affairs.<\/span><\/p>\n In the third and final phase, the highest scoring applicants are evaluated by the election committee.These applicants are presented holistically to the group and voted on. The applicants with the most votes are nominated for membership. <\/span><\/p>\n UNC\u2019s AOA chapter may also elect Residents\/Fellows, Faculty, and Alumni who have never been previously elected to AOA. The number of nominations is dependent on the size of the next graduating class. In previous election cycles, we have been able to nominate 25 residents\/fellows, 10 faculty, and 5 alumni in a year. <\/span>Nominated parties will be evaluated for academic and professional achievement, leadership, professionalism, service, teaching, and research. Elections for Residents\/Fellows, Faculty, and Alumni only occur once a year in the spring. Eligibility requirements are included below.<\/span><\/p>\n Resident\/Fellow:<\/strong><\/p>\n Faculty:<\/strong><\/p>\n Alumni<\/strong><\/p>\n\n
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Election Process<\/h2>\n
Resident\/Fellow, Faculty, and Alumni Nominations<\/h2>\n
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FAQs<\/h2>\n
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