Five UF medical students elected to national honor society

Five University of Florida College of Medicine students recently were elected to the national honor medical society Alpha Omega Alpha. Third-year medical students Jennifer Auer, Paul Gallogly, Megan Mrstik, Nate Pennell and Jason Shinn were recognized as the new Alpha Omega Alpha members May 17 at the chapter’s annual banquet, held at the UF Hotel and Conference Center. Auer and Pennell also were elected to serve as co-presidents of the UF chapter.

Current chapter members vote on the new inductees based on academic standing, personal and professional character, service to the medical and local community and promise for future contributions to medicine. The top 25 percent of the medical class is eligible for election into the society, but only 16 percent of the class can be selected. Just one-fourth of the eventual honorees in each class can be named to Alpha Omega Alpha during their third year of training. Therefore, those selected during their third year typically represent the top of their class. The remaining inductees are selected during their senior year of medical school.

Alpha Omega Alpha strives to recognize and perpetuate excellence in the medical profession. The not-for-profit organization promotes scholarship and research in medical schools, encourages a high standard of character and conduct among medical students and graduates, and recognizes high attainment in medical science, practice and related fields. The UF Alpha Omega Alpha Chapter, designated as the beta chapter, was formed in 1960.