Surgery department resident and faculty member selected for induction in medical honor society

The University of Kentucky selected Stuart Tobin, MD, Division of Dermatology, and Sam Carmichael, MD, PGY4 in General Surgery, to be among its latest faculty and resident inductees into the Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA) Honor Medical Society. Dr. Tobin and Dr. Carmichael were notified of their high honor on Saturday morning, March 11, from Dr. Charles “Chipper” Griffith, Vice Dean for Education in the UK College of Medicine.

Each year, the various chapters of the AOA are allowed to select three faculty and 3-4 residents for induction to the society, said Dr. Griffith. Along with Dr. Tobin, faculty members selected were Julia Stevens, MD - Opthalmology, and Kelli Trent, MD – Internal Medicine and Pediatrics.

“I am deeply honored and serendipitously surprised to receive this cherished accolade. One would think, however, that such highly intelligent and accomplished members of the AOA would have higher standards – but I am grateful that they lowered them in my case this year,” Dr. Tobin commented.

Dr. Carmichael’s fellow UK inductees were David Flemig, MD and Kristin Fletcher, MD – Internal Medicine/Pediatrics; and Bryce Meredith, MD – Family Medicine.

“The University of Kentucky Department of Surgery and College of Medicine foster environments of mentorship. The relationships forged in these settings have brought me to where I am today. This is a team sport and I am fortuned to be a part of a great team,” Dr. Carmichael commented regarding his selection. 

According to Dr. Griffith, councilor for the UK AOA chapter, the society recognizes individuals for more than just high achievement. Other factors that merit induction include excellence in service, scholarship, and research endeavors as well as community involvement and engagement.