Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society at the Stritch School of Medicine
Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine is home to the Illinois Epsilon Chapter of Alpha Omega Alpha (ΑΩA), the national medical honor society. Election to ΑΩA occurs in the early fall of a students’ fourth year and a select group of students are also nominated in their third year.
2025 Induction Ceremony
Our 2025 induction ceremony was held on Thursday, March 20, 2025.
2026 Induction Ceremony
Our 2026 induction ceremony is tentatively scheduled for Thursday, March 19, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. CT. More details will be available in January 2026.
Student Selection Process
Each chapter can induct up to 20% of the entire graduating class. For example, with a graduating class of 165 students, we can induct up to 33 students.
Our chapter strives to select a diverse group of individuals who embody the ideals of SSOM and AΩA, while also demonstrating excellence in the fields of leadership, community service, scholarship, professionalism, and research. The process begins with identification of students who are academically within the top 25% of their class. This ranking is based on a school formula that includes everyone’s performance in years one through three. Once the list of potential candidates has been identified, the AΩA selection review committee (minimum 3 faculty reviewers) reviews and scores each candidate based on a scoring rubric that considers academic excellence, service and community engagement, leadership experience, professionalism, and challenges overcome. In the past, this scoring was heavily weighted towards the initial academic ranking. However, our current scoring rubric provides a more balanced and holistic approach, with academics scored comparably to the other categories.
Students who are selected for nomination are notified by email and asked to complete their registration on the ΑΩA website and pay the requisite fee. Students can apply for a fee assistance or waiver if needed, as this should not preclude membership into ΑΩA. The nomination is also included in the Dean’s letter for each student.
Resident/Fellow/Faculty/Alumni Selection Process
Faculty, residents and fellows at Loyola University Medical Center (LUMC) may be nominated for ΑΩΑ membership by their Department Chairs and Program Directors.
- Nominations are based on demonstrated academic achievement, mentorship, commitment to excellence in teaching, research and clinical care, and leadership qualities.
- Stritch School of Medicine (SSOM) Alumni are eligible ten years or more following graduation.
- A call for nominations is sent to all Department Chairs and Program Directors in the fall and the deadline for nominations is usually in December.
- Nominations are reviewed by the councilor and committee members.
- Residents/Fellows/Faculty/Alumni are notified by email of their selection in January.
- They are responsible for contacting the National office, completing their registration, and paying the requisite dues.
- Inductees are recognized at the annual induction ceremony which takes place in March every year.
- ΑΩΑ members may also bestow the annual Volunteer Clinical Faculty Award to recognize a community physician who contributes with distinction to the education and training of medical students.
Every year our chapter also nominates one student for the Alpha Omega Alpha Carolyn Kuckein Student Research Fellowship Award. Please refer to this page for an updated timeline, eligibility requirements, and application process.
If you are considering applying to this research fellowship award, the internal deadline for proposals for completed student applications is December 30th. Please email Dr. Theresa Nguyen, at Theresa.Nguyen@lumc.edu, with completed applications and questions. Please note that you will require a letter of support from both the AΩA councilor and the dean as part of the application.