SA-4202 Honor Societies

1.0        Purpose

To outline the criteria, nomination processes, and guiding principles for student selection into institutional and national honor societies at the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine (VTCSOM), recognizing excellence in academic performance, leadership, professionalism, service, humanism, and health equity.

2.0        Guideline

VTCSOM supports the recognition of students who exemplify the highest standards of scholarship, professionalism, and service through membership in national and institutional honor societies. These societies celebrate the achievements and values that align with the school’s mission and the broader ideals of the medical profession. Each society has its own eligibility requirements and selection processes, which are outlined in this policy to ensure clarity, transparency, and alignment with the school’s commitment to academic and professional excellence.

3.0        Alpha Omega Alpha Society

Alpha Omega Alpha (AΩA), founded in 1902, is the national medical honor society.

Its mission is: 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; and
• promoting service to others.

Election to Alpha Omega Alpha is an honor signifying a lasting commitment to professionalism, leadership, scholarship, research, and community service. A lifelong honor, membership in the society confers recognition for a physician's dedication to the profession and art of healing.

VTCSOM is proud to host the Delta Virginia chapter of Alpha Omega Alpha, a student-run group committed to upholding the ideals of the national society. Our chapter sponsors VTCSOM students for a variety of fellowships in research, service, and leadership. The Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine chapter was established in 2014.

The Alpha Omega Alpha (AΩA) constitution, section 2, provides the following guidance for medical schools in selecting students eligible for nomination:

• Each school will identify students who, based on merit, demonstrate the characteristics of becoming physicians and are aligned with AΩA’s mission and values and the school’s determination; these students shall be considered eligible for election.
• In addition to academic achievement, schools should use measures of research and scholarship, leadership, ethical behavior, professionalism, and service to the school and community at large.

VTCSOM Dean’s Office Nomination Process

Based on the above guidelines, VTCSOM will nominate select students at the end of Phase 1 and again at the end of Phase 2. The following criteria will be used in forwarding nominees to the chapter:

Junior nominees (those nominated at the end of Phase 1) will be selected based on: 

Performance on the Harmonized Milestones as well as evidence of growth measures of performance through the Phase 1 courses will determine which students the Dean, Senior Associate Dean of Medical Education, and Associate Dean of Student Affairs will forward to the officers of the Delta Virginia AΩA Chapter for consideration.

Senior nominees (those nominated after Phase 2) will be selected based on:

• Academic performance- between1-8 points based on the number of clerkship grades of "Honors" or "High Pass".
• Community Service (maximum of three points). Students will be divided into thirds based on the hours of community service accrued with the lowest third receiving 1 point; the middle third 2 points; the highest third 3 points.
• Service to the school (maximum of three points). Class leadership carries one point; leadership in various organizations carries one point; and service on a committee or task force is one point.
• Between 0-2 points based on Professionalism scores on the end-of-clerkship student assessment.

There are a total of 16 points. Approximately 33% of the class, based on the point total, will be forwarded to Delta Virginia AΩA Chapter for consideration.

Students who fail a course or who fail a USMLE Step exam will be ineligible for nomination. 

Determining the Students to be Inducted into the Delta Virginia AΩA Chapter

The Delta Virginia AΩA Chapter officers and councilor(s) will use a holistic process for nominating students to be inducted into the AΩA from the list of eligible students identified by the Dean’s Office. With up to 20% of each class ultimately elected to membership, it is anticipated that up to 50% of the ultimate number of students will be elected to membership at the end of the second year and the remaining at the end of the third year.

4.0        Gold Humanism Honor Society

The Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine chapter of the Gold Humanism Honor Society (VTC-GHHS chapter) was established in 2013 with faculty and residents who had been inducted into the society at other institutions. A major goal in establishing this society was to foster a culture in the medical school in which the qualities of humanism and professionalism would be recognized and highly valued.

Students are selected midway through the M3 year and are nominated by peers using a validated questionnaire. The VTC-GHHS chapter then uses the results of this questionnaire to select up to 15% of the class.

The VTC-GHHS chapter selects a graduating student recipient of the Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine Award. The student awardee will be selected by the VTC-GHHS chapter with input from the Deans and Department Chairs from among the six GHHS members in the graduating class. Attributes for the student awardee include:

• consistently demonstrates compassion and empathy in the delivery of care to patients
• illustrates professional and ethical behavior by example
• shows respect for everyone
• demonstrates cultural sensitivity in working with patients and family members of diverse backgrounds
• displays effective communication and listening skills—good rapport with patients
• understands patients’ need for interpretation of complex medical diagnoses and treatments and makes an effort to assure patient comprehension—shows respect for the patients’ viewpoints
• helps to articulate the patients’ concerns to attending physicians and others
• sensitive to the patients’ psychological well-being
• cooperative, easy to work with—engenders trust and confidence
• willing to help others and, when necessary, willing to seek help from others
• displays concern for the general welfare of the community and engages in volunteer activities
• seeks and accepts criticism, using it to improve performance
• committed to reflection and objective self-evaluation of his/her skills
• displays competence in scientific endeavors

5.0        Omicron Delta Kappa Society

The Omicron Delta Kappa Society, Inc., The National Leadership Honor Society for college students, recognizes and encourages superior scholarship, leadership, and exemplary character. Membership in ODK is a mark of the highest distinction and honor. 

The Society recognizes achievement in scholarship; athletics; campus or community service, social and religious activities, and campus government; journalism, speech and mass media; and the creative and performing arts. Emphasis is placed on the development of the whole person, both as a member of the college community and as a contributor to a better society.

Omicron Delta Kappa was founded on December 3, 1914, at Washington and Lee University, Lexington, Virginia, by 15 student and faculty leaders. The founders formulated the idea that leadership of exceptional quality and versatility in college should be recognized; that representatives in all phases of college life should cooperate in worthwhile endeavors, and that outstanding students, faculty, and administrators should meet based on mutual interest, understanding, and helpfulness. O∆K was the first college honor society of a national scope to give recognition and honor for meritorious leadership and service in extracurricular activities and to encourage the development of general campus citizenship.

The Virginia Tech Alpha Omicron Circle was founded in 1933. Membership is extended to students who are in the top 35% of the school for graduate and professional students. Members have included every university president since Julian Burruss.

The O∆K "mark of distinction" is well recognized by leaders in both the academic and business worlds.

6.0        Aequitas Health Honor Society

The Aequitas Health Honor Society at the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine (VTCSOM) was established in 2021 to recognize and honor members of the VTCSOM community who consistently work to promote health equity in our local community. Rising fourth-year medical students, post-graduate trainees, including residents and fellows, and faculty are eligible to apply. Students are required to have shown significant dedication to health care equity, and post-graduate trainees and faculty must have contributed to health equity. Medical students chosen as Aequitas Health Fellows work together on a service project that advances health equity in our community during their final year of medical school at VTCSOM.

Fellow selection begins each winter with the completion of the VTCSOM Aequitas Health Honor Society application.  The following persons are eligible for fellowship:

• Student Fellowship: Any student in good standing, academically and professionally, and enrolled at VTCSOM is eligible for application to Aequitas Health. Eligible students will have demonstrated significant dedication to healthcare equity in their communities while enrolled at VTCSOM.
• Post-Graduate Trainee and Faculty Membership: One faculty member and/or one post-graduate trainee who has contributed to health equity on a local, state, or national level will also be eligible for fellowship each year.

Applications are reviewed by the VTCSOM Aequitas Health Honor Selection Committee which selects the Aequitas Health Fellows each year. Student Aequitas Health Fellows will be limited to no more than ten percent (10%) of the medical student class. If there are not sufficiently qualified medical students to be elected, then less than 10% of the class will be elected.

7.0        References

• Alpha Omega Alpha
• Gold Humanism Honor Society
• Omicron Delta Kappa
• Aequitas Health Equity Medical Honor Society

8.0        Approval and Revisions

Approved by Student Affairs