Surgery professor Josh Mezrich, MD, fellow Jennifer Philip, MD, and resident James Barrett, MD, became members of Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA), the only national medical honor society, this past April.
Dr. Mezrich, who was also recently promoted to the rank of professor, joined eight other faculty from across the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health (SMPH), all nominated by their fellow faculty, department chairs, and medical school leadership. Dr. Philip and Dr. Barrett were two of only four residents inducted, having been nominated by medical students who were inducted into AOA on the same night.
“It was really special to be inducted alongside one of the medical students I worked with a couple of times clinically,” Dr. Philip said, referring to her nominator, Kate Lauer, MD, an SMPH graduate who is beginning her residency at Wisconsin Surgery this year. “I got to see her grow through medical school and then match for residency here.”
Dr. Mezrich echoed the sentiment of working with medical students and said it was one of the most fun parts of the job.
“Obviously we’re here to take care of patients, but being able to interact with folks at all different levels is so much fun and keeps us young,” Dr. Mezrich said. “I like to believe the award represents not just good patient care, but how we treat our colleagues and how we try our best to model good behavior.”
The ceremony, which was the first in-person AOA induction ceremony at UW-Madison since 2019, featured remarks from Robert N. Golden, MD, Dean of the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, and John Meurer, MD, MBA, the 2021-2022 AOA Dr. David de Harter and Diane de Harter Visiting Professor from the Medical College of Wisconsin. In addition, the ceremony was emceed by Rebecca S. Sippel, MD, surgery professor and AOA Councilor for the UW-Madison chapter.
“It was great to see students and recognize them for their accomplishments,” Dr. Sippel said. “They spent half of their medical school career in covid and had to overcome unique challenges in their environment to be successful.”
Founded in 1902, AOA now has 132 chapters. Its mission is to recognize and enhance professionalism, academic excellence, service, and leadership within the profession of medicine.