Awards & Recognition

The University of Minnesota Medical School honors outstanding performance of its students through two national societies, and awards through the University Foundation. 
 

AOA - Twin Cities Campus

Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA) is the National Honor Medical Society. The local chapter at the University of Minnesota elects members from the Junior and Senior classes each year. Specific selection criteria is determined by the local chapter. The number of students elected to AOA is up to one sixth of the graduating class. Alpha Omega Alpha is an honor that accompanies a physician throughout his or her lifetime and is a way for medical students to distinguish themselves in medical school.  Addtional information can can be found on the National AOA website and the local chapters site.

 

Gold Humanism Honor Society - Twin Cities Campus

The Gold Humanism Honor Society (GHHS) honors senior medical students who "demonstrate excellence in clinical care, leadership, compassion and dedication to service." The Society was founded to elevate the values of humanism and professionalism within the field of medicine and its constituent institutions.  The Society is fast becoming integrated into our educational environment. Students are admitted into GHHS based on responses to a peer nomination survey toward the end of their third year of medical school.  The final membership list is confirmed by a faculty and administration selection committee that also ensures adequate representation from all medical school programs, including those on the Duluth campus for years 1 and 2. GHHS arranges many humanistic events during their year of service including a retreat held annually the day before Match Day for all MS4s.  
 

To recognize excellence and achievement, numerous honors and awards are made possible each year by the University of Minnesota Foundation (UMF) and its donors. For further information contact Austin Calhoun, calhoun@umn.edu

Some awards are administered through the Medical School while others are determined by departments or other academic units. If applicable, nomination or application forms—including instructions for submitting supporting materials—are also available. For more information, visit the Foundation's Honors and Awards web page.