constitution states that, "Alpha Omega Alpha is organized for educational purposes exclusively and not for profit, and its aims shall be 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." To this end, only those who are considered the top medical students are elected, however the definition of "top" is left to the individual medical school chapters to determine. Controversy ΑΩΑ elections at some institutions have been plagued by internal political and racial bias. A 2017 publication in JAMA Internal Medicine found that "Black and Asian medical students were less likely than their white counterparts to be members of ΑΩΑ, which may reflect bias in selection. In turn, ΑΩΑ membership selection may affect future opportunities for minority medical students." This pattern persisted despite controlling for other co-variates such as extracurricular activities. Because "the Constitution of ΑΩΑ gives many degrees of freedom to each chapter for the process of election of student members", election to ΑΩΑ remains variable between medical schools and may reflect the local chapter's internal politics rather than academic achievement. Many of the most elite American medical schools have done away with student chapters of ΑΩΑ, e.g., Mt. Sinai Icahn School of Medicine decided to completely forgo medical student elections to ΑΩΑ in September 2018. There are no ΑΩΑ chapters at Harvard, Yale, or Mayo Clinic. 13 National Programs and Awards Medical students, faculty, and active ΑΩΑ members associated with ΑΩΑ Chapters are eligible to participate in the 12 national programs and awards that ΑΩΑ confers annually, which are funded from member dues. ΑΩΑ Award for Excellence in Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity in Medical Education and Patient Care—Recognizing exemplary leadership, innovation, and engagement in fostering a culture of inclusion, diversity, and equity Carolyn L. Kuckein Student Research Fellowships—More than 50 Fellowships of $5,000 each with a $1,000 travel stipend to present findings at a national or international conference ΑΩΑ Fellow in Leadership Award—Three $25,000 awards for active ΑΩΑ mid-career physicians development into future leaders in medicine Robert J. Glaser Distinguished Teacher Awards—In partnership with the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) four Distinguished Teachers received $10,000 each year, their medical school receives $2,500, and their Chapter receives $1,000 Postgraduate Awards—Ten awards of $2,000 to support residents or fellows with a