Alpha Omega Alpha is a national medical honor society whose aims are the "promotion of scholarship and research in medical schools, the encouragement of a high standard of character and conduct among medical students and graduates, and the recognition of high attainment in medical science, practice and related fields." Election to AOA is a distinction which accompanies a physician throughout his/her career. Members are selected from junior and senior medical classes, house officers and faculty of the University, and as honorary members.
Students elected to the society are men and women who, in the judgement of the local chapter, have shown promise of becoming leaders in the profession. Criteria for election include scholastic excellence, integrity, and leadership abilities. The number of students elected to the local chapter may not exceed one-sixth of those expected to graduate from each class, with one quarter of these invited to join during the junior year.
Activities of the Gamma Chapter at the University of Pittsburgh include, sponsoring the annual AOA lecture by a prominent individual in medicine. Additionally, the chapter has continued it tradition of service to the community by beginning a recruitment project that encourages medical students to register with the National Marrow Donor Registry as potential bone marrow donors.