AOA donates chapter-of-the-year prize

The South Carolina Alpha Chapter of Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA), the National Medical Honor Society, has received a Chapter of the Year Award from the national organization. The prize money will be donated to one of the organizations which the chapter supports.

There are Alpha Omega Alpha chapters in every major medical school in the United States. In South Carolina, the Alpha chapter, founded in 1953, is based at MUSC, and its members include medical students, housestaff and faculty. The students are elected on the basis of scholastic excellence and personal attributes, including participation in community service, leadership qualities, and demonstration of compassion and integrity in their interactions with patients and fellow students.

The chapter received the national award in recognition of its academic and service activities. “Our AOA students have an extremely active program, benefiting both the university and the community. They are deserving of this recognition, and their plans to use the award money to further their public service activities is very telling about the type of students in this organization,” said Gabriel Virella, M.D., Ph.D., professor of immunology and microbiology and councilor for the Alpha chapter. These activities include: the sponsorship of two distinguished speakers each year; an annual fundraising event to benefit its scholarship fund, a variety of activities to provide orientation to help junior medical students in their transition from the basic sciences to the clinical phase of the curriculum, and an annual medical jeopardy competition. In addition, the chapter meets on a monthly basis during the academic year in the homes of faculty members of AOA. “These are valuable opportunities for social interaction and professional discussions,” said Virella.

The major community service activity of the chapter has been its support to Our Lady of Mercy Community Outreach Services. The organization addresses the needs of the poor and disadvantaged residents of James, Johns and Wadmalaw islands. The islands are predominantly rural with 47 percent of the inhabitants living far below the poverty level. There is also a large contingent of migrant workers in residence every summer during harvest time. The area is underserved from the perspective of health care and preventive services.

AOA members have participated in fairs for new mothers and children, health screening for migrant farm workers, and have assisted with home visits. They are planning future involvement with the Wellness House which will be soon a part of the Our Lady of Mercy Community Outreach Services.

The chapter will donate the $2,500 prize money from the national organization matched by $2,500 of its own funds for the purchase of dental X-ray equipment and a computer needed to equip a module building which will be used to deliver dental and medical services to the needy population of John’s and Wadmalaw islands. “Through this donation, the Alpha chapter of AOA will contribute to a significant expansion of the service programs provided by Our Lady of Mercy Community Outreach Services in collaboration with Bon-Secours-St. Francis Hospital,” said Virella. The chapter is looking forward to a long-term collaboration with these organizations.”

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