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University of Virginia School of Medicine Chapter of Alpha Omega Alpha, Accession #MS-53, Historical Collections, Claude Moore Health Sciences Library, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Va.
Alpha Omega Alpha was founded in 1902 and is the national medical honor society. It started at the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Chicago when a small number of medical students, led by William Webster Root, wanted to foster professional values and good conduct in fellow medical students and sometimes in their faculty. Modeled after Phi Beta Kappa, they stated that membership in the new society would be based on both academic achievement and professional conduct.
By 2012 there were more than 130 chapters in medical schools throughout the United Sates. The AOA mission statement found on their website indicates that it is “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, and promoting service to others."
The University of Virginia chapter started in 1919 and was the 23rd member. The first school in Virginia to join, its chapter is named Alpha Virginia. Each chapter may elect to membership no more than one-sixth of the anticipated number of graduates. Those elected must come from the top quartile of students academically. According to the UVa School of Medicine Student Handbook on the SOM website, those chosen from UVa must not only exhibit the necessary academic attainment, but also leadership, professionalism, a sense of ethics, promise of future success in medicine, and commitment to service. At UVa generally 6-9 students are elected by their peers after their second year, and another 17 or so are elected after their third year.
There are three volumes in the collection. The first is the chapter roll and minutes from 1919 to 1955. The second covers the roll and minutes from 1955 to 1969. The third is a treasurer's ledger covering 1922 to 1978.
The folders are arranged by end date.
The book includes minutes of meetings, lists of new members, and peakers and topics of the talks given at the meetings for inducted members. Also included are news clippings of an event in November 1947 in which Dr. Philip S. Hench gave a presentation about Walter Reed and yellow fever, one clipping about the March 1950 AOA elections at UVA, and one about the 1945 elections.
The book includes minutes of meetings, lists of new members, and speakers and topics of the talks given at the meetings for inducted members.
The book includes expenses and income from dues, banquets, printing, lecture costs, etc.