-
UCF physicians are Orlando's top docs.
The UCF College of Medicine’s chapter of Alpha Omega Alpha – the national medical honor society – inducted 13 new members on March 13, including Dr. Abdo Asmar, a nephrologist at UCF Pegasus Health.
The ceremony was the second for UCF’s new Zeta chapter. AOA member physicians from the community also attended the induction ceremony and dinner at Dubsdread Country Club in Orlando.
Dr. Lori Boardman, professor of obstetrics and gynecology and assistant dean of medical education, was also a faculty inductee, along with eleven medical students. Class of 2014 medical student inductees were Renata Chalfin, Reid Green, Malgorzata Krzyszczak, Jocelyn Ray and Samantha Ulmer. Class of 2013 inductees were Mike Arnold, Amy Iarrobino, Teresa Martin-Carreras, Ron Mercer, Phillip Romanski and Matt Stillwagon.
AOA members are chosen based on factors including academic excellence, service, leadership, and dedication to caring for others. The honor society’s motto is, “Be worthy to serve the suffering.” Service and humanism were the themes of the keynote address, delivered by Dr. Sergio Salazar, assistant professor of internal medicine at the medical school and a practicing internist at UCF Pegasus Health.
“You are entering a profession where you can heal the body and heal the soul,” he told the student inductees. “Embrace the science but practice the art of medicine.”
AOA co-presidents Jenn Bazemore and Casey deDeugd, who will graduate from medical school in May, described Dr. Asmar as a “passionate medical educator” with a passion and enthusiasm for his students and patients.
Dr. Asmar called the selection “the dream of a lifetime. I am so honored to be part of this special group.”
To see all photos of the event, please visit http://www.flickr.com/photos/ourmedschool/