UA Premed Students Top Southeast at National Honors Conference

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – University of Alabama premedical students led the Southeast in the number of representatives recently attending a convention of the nation’s premedical honor society, Alpha Epsilon Delta, in St. Louis. They were also the fourth largest chapter in the nation attending the conference of the organization, which was founded at UA in 1926.

Thirty-one members of AED traveled to St. Louis to represent UA and its College of Arts and Sciences at the biannual convention which featured a visit to the nationally acclaimed Washington University School of Medicine, including a tour of its pathology lab.

The students also attended lectures, toured other professional schools and got a taste of medical practice at hands-on sessions. The sessions included making simple prosthetics, forming a cast and performing basic sutures.

Washington University School of Medicine is ranked third among the nation’s medical schools, according to the 2005 U.S. News and World Report rankings. Members of the Washington University Medical School faculty and fourth-year medical students hosted a tour that included the pathology lab and an up-close examination of the lab’s cadavers, the focus of anatomy classes for first-year medical students.

“Since UA, like most undergraduate institutions, does not offer a human gross anatomy class, this was an excellent opportunity for students to see some of what they’ll experience as first-year medical students,” said Chris Hutt, academic adviser in the Office of Student Services in the College of Arts and Sciences, as well as AED advisor and convention organizer.

Hutt was elected regional director of AED at the meeting. As director, he will award a scholarship to a student from another region of the country.

Hutt will also coordinate state and regional meetings preceding the upcoming national convention in 2008 in Dallas.

Getting to the conference was no small feat for the UA students. They sold t-shirts and hosted a fundraiser evening to obtain enough money to make the trip possible.

“We attended this convention on a shoestring budget. To have 31 University of Alabama attendees at the national convention required immense dedication and an investment of both time and money. The convention was an overwhelming success- all of the UA members, young and old, bonded and had an amazing time,” said LeeAnn Wilson, a senior from Vestavia Hills majoring in chemical engineering and vice-president of AED. She is also a member of the 2005 USA Today All-USA College Academic Team.

The size of the UA delegation wasn’t the only thing that drew attention at the convention. UA founded the national chapter in 1926.

Fifteen premedical students met with Dr. Jack Montgomery, premedical adviser and professor of organic chemistry, in 1926 to begin the premedical honor society. AED has become the world’s largest honor society exclusively serving premedical education, with a membership exceeding 144,000 in 186 chapters. Alabama Alpha presently has approximately 125 active members.

“I am very proud of the fact that AED is now a $2 million organization. I am also proud of the fact that we had so many students attend this convention at the 80th anniversary of an organization started at UA,” said Hutt. “It’s my hope that these students will become more prepared medical students, better applicants, and ultimately quality physicians as a result of their participation. It was a memorable and educational experience for all involved.”

AED provides pre-health students with valuable information and assistance in their quest for a career in health care. In addition, its peer network assists in many aspects of a pre-health degree such as tutoring, teacher recommendations, Medical College Admissions Test tips, course scheduling, and social events.

“This conference was an excellent way for prospective medical students to learn more about the medical field. Sophomores who attended the conference will be inspired to become more active in their pursuit of medical school. I foresee all of them attending the next conference,” stated Patrick Keenum, a senior from Sheffield majoring in chemistry, who is the treasurer of AED.

Hutt’s goal is to have 50 AED students from UA attend the Dallas convention. “I am absolutely committed to being the largest chapter in attendance in 2008,” said Hutt.