As a Wake Forest University School of Medicine student, you have abundant opportunities to develop your career interests, get involved on campus and form friendships that will last a lifetime.
Student Groups
Student groups are student-led opportunities to get involved on campus. They comprise school of medicine students of any program (MD, PA, graduate, academic nursing) who have formally organized themselves for the purpose of pursuing a common interest. Student groups range from performing arts, clubs and sports to service-oriented or religious-affiliated groups.
Student groups include:
MD Program
MD students have many opportunities for exploring their career interests, developing leadership skills and socializing with their peers. Learning Communities/Houses are a way for students to support and learn from each other during medical school while also getting academic, career and personal guidance from mentors representing many of the major subspecialties.
The only medical honor society in the world, Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society recognizes and advocates for excellence in scholarship and the highest ideals in the profession of medicine. Our values include honesty, honorable conduct, morality, virtue, unselfishness, ethical ideals, dedication to serving others and leadership. Members have a compelling drive to do well and to advance the medical profession and exemplify the highest standards of professionalism.
Our mission statement 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
- Promoting service to others
National Selection Criteria
In line with the AΩA national constitution, the top 25 percent of a medical school class is eligible for nomination to the society, and up to 16 percent may be elected based on leadership, character, community service and professionalism. Members may also be elected by chapters after demonstrating scholarly achievement and professional contributions and values during their careers in medicine. These members may include residents, fellows, attendings and alumni/alumnae who have distinguished themselves as physician-scholars.
Wake Forest Selection Criteria
The Wake Forest chapter of AΩA seeks to induct those individuals who uphold the national AΩA mission statement and have further distinguished themselves in leadership among their peers, ethical standing, scholarship, service in the school and community and promise of contribution to the medical field.
Each year there are two rounds of induction. Those students meeting the national criteria will be eligible for nomination at each and will submit their CV for review. Announcement of AΩA for those inducted during their third year will be made in the spring and for those inducted during their fourth year, in the fall of the same year. Up to four students can be inducted during their third year with the remainder of their AΩA class (up to one sixth of that graduating class) to be inducted during their fourth year.
Residents, fellows, alumni and faculty are nominated for membership by AΩA members at election meetings according to similar criteria used for students. The selection committee consists of active AΩA members.
In 2013, the Wake Forest University School of Medicine established Learning Communities or “Houses,” in support of the education of our students. Within each House, mentors, including specialty advisors representing many of the major subspecialties, serve as points of contact for academic, career and personal advice throughout medical school. Students will meet regularly with clinical skills coaches for coaching and career advising during the first and second years. This team mentoring approach builds a solid foundation of support for medical school.
Learning Communities consist of:
The goals of the Learning Communities/Houses are:
- Foster relationships between students and faculty
- Provide vertical integration of medical students across class years
- Advise, mentor and help with career planning
- Model medical professionalism
- Create community service opportunities
- Provide opportunities for social networking
Interest groups are student-run organizations that are supported by SGA (Student Government Association) and tied to a specific career or specialty. They give students the opportunity to work with other students and a physician in their chosen field.
- Anesthesiology
- Cardiology
- Cardiothoracic Surgery
- Dermatology
- Ear, Nose, and Throat
- Emergency Medicine
- Family Medicine
- Hematology and Oncology
- Integrative Medicine
- Internal Medicine
- Interventional Radiology
- Neurology and Neurobiology
- Neurosurgery
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Ophthalmology
- Orthopaedic Surgery
- Pathology
- Pediatrics
- Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
- Psychiatry
- Radiation Oncology
- Radiology-Diagnostic/Interventional
- Regenerative Medicine
- Sports Medicine
- Surgery
- Ultrasound Medicine
- Urology Interest Group
- Vascular Surgery
Academic Nursing
We have several groups available for our CRNA and DNP students, including:
- Student Professional Awareness Committee
- Wellness Committee
- Diversity and Inclusion
PA Studies
Our Physician Assistant students can participate in the Katherine Anderson Society, an active group that provides opportunities for our students, and benefits for our community.