Delta Omega

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Delta Omega is the honorary society for graduate studies in public health. It was founded in 1924 at the Johns Hopkins University School of Hygiene and Public Health to promote excellence and recognize accomplishments in the field of public health. The society aims to encourage the development of the field through the recognition of outstanding achievement and the promotion of scholarship and research.

History

Delta Omega was established by two graduate students, Edgar Erskine Hume and Claude W. Mitchell, who recognized the need for an organization that would honor exceptional academic and professional achievements in public health. The society has since grown to include over 100 chapters at accredited schools and programs of public health across the United States.

Membership

Membership in Delta Omega is by invitation only and is extended to students, faculty, alumni, and honorary members who have demonstrated a high standard of scholarship and commitment to the field of public health. Student members are typically in the top 10% of their graduating class, while faculty and alumni members are selected based on their significant contributions to public health.

Activities

Delta Omega chapters engage in a variety of activities to promote public health, including:

• Organizing lectures and seminars on current public health issues
• Providing scholarships and awards to outstanding students and professionals
• Supporting public health research and community service projects
• Facilitating networking opportunities among members

Governance

The society is governed by a national council, which includes representatives from each chapter. The council meets annually to discuss the society's activities, policies, and future directions. Each chapter is also governed by its own officers and operates under the guidelines set forth by the national council.

Notable Members

Delta Omega has had many notable members who have made significant contributions to the field of public health. Some of these members include:

• C. Everett Koop, former Surgeon General of the United States
• Julie Gerberding, former director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• William H. Foege, epidemiologist and former director of the CDC

See Also

• Public health
• Johns Hopkins University
• Honor society
• Epidemiology
• Health policy