Sigma Sigma Phi abbreviated ΣΣΦ, and commonly called "SSP", is the national Osteopathic Medicine Honors Fraternity of the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine [D.O.]. The National Osteopathic Medicine Honors Fraternity is a group united in the interest (See Sorority redirect - fraternities and sororities) of preserving the highest class of medical scholastic excellence and includes community service.
The D.O. is also commonly referred to as an "Osteopathic Physician" (Osteopathic medicine in the United States).[1][2]
"Sigma Sigma Phi" was founded in 1921 and the fraternities goal is to directly impact the student bodies by encouraging the highest class of academic excellence. Criteria for membership into Sigma Sigma Phi include scholastic achievement, such as class rank & dedication to community service.
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Sigma Sigma Phi was organized in October 1921 in Kirksville, Missouri at what is now the A.T. Still University of Health Sciences-Kirksville College (originally named American School of Osteopathy) by seven students representing the fraternal organizations and student body. These seven men, constituting the original charter members, one from each fraternity and one from the nonfraternal body, drew up the Constitution and By-Laws. The fraternity was officially chartered May 16, 1925, at Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine by three men. Thus, there were ten charter members.
Over the years, most osteopathic medical schools added local chapters and there are currently 22 active chapters at 24 Osteopathic campuses in the United States.[1]
| Example Sigma Sigma Phi National Honorary Certificate |
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| 1992 Michigan State University |
There are approximately 3,600 members.[2]
Membership in Sigma Sigma Phi has become highly sought after, especially for those applying to competitive residencies. Along with information such as name, telephone number, and e-mail address, membership in Sigma Sigma Phi is one of the items on the first page of the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS), the combined electronic application used by most residency programs in the United States.[3]
Alpha Omega Alpha, abbreviated "AOA", is the counterpart honor society for MD medical students, residents and physicians in the United States.[4] "AOA" is also the abbreviation used by the American Osteopathic Association, which is the medical association of the "D.O." student, resident and physician.
Omega Beta Iota, abbreviated “ΩΒΙ,” is the National Osteopathic Political Action Honor Society founded in 2007 to emphasize the importance of the work osteopathic medical students do for our political system.[5] A distinction is made when referring to the National Osteopathic Medicine Honors Fraternity in that Sigma Sigma Phi, abbreviated "ΣΣΦ", is a group united in the interest (See Sorority redirect - fraternities and sororities) of preserving the highest class of scholastic excellence and includes community service.
Gold Humanism Honor Society, abbreviated "GHHS"