SIU Med School Announces New Members to Honor Society

Seven new members have been inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA) Honor Medical Society by the Eta Chapter at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine in Springfield. All seven were inducted at AOA's spring banquet in Springfield.

Newly elected members from the Class of 2007 are Catherine Gaffigan, daughter of Ed and Chris Gaffigan of Springfield; Claire Pollard, daughter of Rich and Chris Pollard of Oak Forest; and Sara Woodward Dyrstad, daughter of David and Theresa Woodward of Morton.

Dr. Brad Paris, a surgery resident, and Omar Vargas, an internal medicine resident, were selected from SIU residency programs.

Dr. Gayle Woodson, professor and chair of otolaryngology head and neck surgery, was elected an honorary faculty member. Dr. James Daniels, a family practice physician at the SIU Quincy Family Practice Center and 1983 graduate of SIU, was elected alumni member of the society.

Election to AOA is based on integrity, leadership, compassion and fairness and scholastic excellence. The only national honor medical society in the world, AOA recognizes and works to perpetuate excellence in the medical professions. Among its aims are to promote scholarship and research and recognize high attainment in medical science, practice and related fields.

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