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Senior honor students also proud parents by Cindy A. Abole Public Relations When the Alpha Chapter of MUSC’s Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA), the National Honor Society, provided their list of new inductees for the 1999-2000 school year, they weren’t aware that among this group were some well organized, highly motivated and responsible parents. “It’s really amazing to be honored like this,” said Thena Poteat, a senior medical student and mother of a three-year-old son, Cal, and another child due in spring 2000.  Of the 15 seniors who recently joined AOA, six are parents. “I feel very blessed,” said senior student James Street. “There are times when I have more than enough on my plate, but I’m fortunate  my son Kevin is a great kid.” In addition to juggling their rotation schedules and other related academics, Street and Poteat must skillfully balance  their hospital and personal schedules around day care drop-offs and pick-ups, little league sports and other unplanned activities. “It’s been a help more than a hindrance,” Street said. “It has shown me that I can be efficient with my time. I’ve learned to be a good planner. Mostly, you do what you have to do.” Since he has no real family nearby, Street relies on the kindness of close friends who bring 11-year old Kevin from after school care to their home. Street is then able to pick up his son later in the afternoon.  When they’re together, Kevin selects how they spend their time: whether its shooting basketball, playing video games or going to the movies. The remainder of the evening is devoted to dad’s study time.  There have been times when Kevin has shown an interest in his dad’s studies. Last year, Kevin reacted to some pain in his chest area by referring to dad’s pocket medical dictionary. “At the time, I was participating in my pediatric rotation and he was genuinely interested in reading about the human body and related physiology,” Street said. The differences between genders also has its tolls. Because the male students outnumber the female students, motherly duties like breast feeding and child care remain a daily challenge. Poteat relies on her husband, John Clemmer, for most of the family’s help. “John helps by balancing the activities within our marriage and family life,” Poteat said, especially during her clinical rotations. “He’s learned to be flexible during different situations.” “This group of high achieving parents are all well deserving of their accomplishments,” said Gabriel Virella, M.D., Ph.D., professor of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine and AOA Councillor. “They have proved that they can manage to juggle their scholastic and clinical commitments and also be with their families, with the help of a supportive partner. As AOA members, they possess good qualities as citizens following the society’s motto of helping those who suffer.”