On March 17, four psychiatrists in Brown University's Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior were inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA) Honor Medical Society. Dr. Alvaro Olivares, Dr. Caitlin Lawrence, Dr. Dylan Hershkowitz, Dr. Craig Kaufmann, and their fellow inductees were recognized at an in-person ceremony at the Warren Alpert Medical School, which was live-streamed for virtual participants.
A lifelong honor, AOA membership is conferred upon graduating medical students, trainees, faculty, and alumni who demonstrate leadership, community engagement, scholarly activity, professionalism, and high educational achievement.
"The deeply held qualities that are being celebrated tonight will be instrumental to your success — and your joy — in the field of medicine and will help over the course of your careers to earn the trust of those you serve," Dean of Medicine and Biological Sciences Dr. Mukesh K. Jain told the group, which included AOA and Gold Humanism Honor Society inductees.
Membership in AOA is via election through a medical school’s chapter, which may elect up to 20 percent of the graduating class of students, up to twenty-five residents/fellows, up to ten faculty, and up to five alumni per year. In his ceremony remarks, past-president of the Association of Academic Health Centers Dr. Steven A. Wartman reminded the honorees of AOA's motto: "Be worthy to serve the suffering."
“I know each of you are, and will continue to be, worthy," he said.
Senior Associate Dean for Medical Education Dr. Allan Tunkel shared that AOA's membership includes fifty-five Nobel Prize winners, more than 75 percent of medical school deans, eleven Surgeons General, and only one convicted murderer — "so it's quite a prestigious organization, when you think about it," he joked.
About the Psychiatry Honorees
Dr. Alvaro Olivares is a long-time faculty member and a graduate of the Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior's general residency program "whose service to the community and patients are second to none," says Dr. Tracey Guthrie, vice chair of the department.
Dr. Caitlin Lawrence, a chief resident of her residency class and a graduate of the geriatric fellowship, now serves as a Clinical Instructor in Psychiatry and Human Behavior.
Dr. Dylan Hershkowitz, also a chief resident before graduating from the Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior's general residency program, is a fellow in Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry.
Dr. Craig Kaufmann, who also graduated from the residency program, is a Clinical Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Human Behavior.