History

When William Webster Root and five other medical students at the College of Physicians and Surgeons in Chicago organized Alpha Omega Alpha in 1902, "excellence" was not a word that defined American medical education. Indeed, the founder viewed the society as a protest against "a condition which associated the name medical student with rowdyism, boorishness, immorality, and low educational ideals." The spirit of the society is eloquently set forth in the Declaration of Geneva, adopted by the General Assembly of the World Medical Association at Geneva, Switzerland, in September 1948:

I solemnly pledge myself to consecrate my life to the service of humanity. I will give to my teachers the respect and gratitude which is their due. I will practice my profession with conscience and dignity. The health of my patient will be my first consideration. I will respect the secrets which are confided in me. I will maintain by all means in my power, the honor and the noble traditions of the medical profession. My colleagues will be my brothers. I will not permit considerations of religion, nationality, race, party politics or social standing to intervene between my duty and my patient. I will maintain the utmost respect for human life from the time of conception, even under threat, I will not use my medical knowledge contrary to the laws of humanity.

The ΑΩΑ Chapter at the University of Minnesota was established in 1908, has continued to function for more than 90 years under governance by student members and faculty advisors. Election to ΑΩΑ is a distinguishing honor, and as with all true honors, the honor of ΑΩΑ membership is accompanied by the responsibility to sustain the vision and goals of the society.

 

Visit the ΑΩΑ National Website for more information.