Key Points
Question Are minority medical students less likely than white medical students to be members of the Alpha Omega Alpha honor society?
Findings In this cohort study of 4655 US medical students, Alpha Omega Alpha membership for white students was nearly 6 times greater than that for black students and nearly 2 times greater than for Asian students, both significant differences.
Meaning The selection process for Alpha Omega Alpha membership may be vulnerable to bias, which may affect future opportunities for minority medical students.
Abstract
Importance Previous studies have found racial and ethnic inequities in the receipt of academic awards, such as promotions and National Institutes of Health research funding, among academic medical center faculty.