Friday, August 21, 2026
  Around Campus, Health, Recognitions

By Saira Cabrera

RIO GRANDE VALLEY, TEXAS – AUGUST 21, 2026 – Less than a decade after welcoming its first class, the UTRGV School of Medicine has achieved a milestone that places it among an elite group of medical schools nationwide.

The School of Medicine has been granted a chapter of Alpha Omega Alpha (AΩA) Honor Medical Society, one of the nation's most respected medical honor societies. Founded in 1902, AΩA recognizes excellence in scholarship, leadership, professionalism, service and humanism in medicine.

Election to the society is considered one of the highest honors in medical education.

A NATIONAL RECOGNITION

For UTRGV leaders, the designation represents more than institutional recognition. It reflects years of work by faculty, staff, students and alumni to build a medical school dedicated to improving health outcomes in South Texas while advancing excellence in education, research and patient care. 

“The establishment of an Alpha Omega Alpha chapter is a significant milestone for the UTRGV School of Medicine and a reflection of the excellence our students, residents, faculty and alumni demonstrate every day,” said Dr. Everardo Cobos, dean of the UTRGV School of Medicine and chair of the Department of Medicine and Oncology. “As the only medical school in the Rio Grande Valley, we are proud to join a distinguished network of institutions committed to advancing scholarship, leadership, professionalism and service in medicine.”

More than 4,000 students, residents, faculty and alumni are elected to AΩA each year. Since its founding, nearly 200,000 members have been inducted into the society, which supports physician leadership through fellowships, grants, awards and educational programs.

A SCHOOL OF MEDICINE MILESTONE

The AΩA chapter marks another milestone in the UTRGV School of Medicine's growth since welcoming its first class in 2016.

In less than a decade, the school has graduated more than 300 physicians, many of whom now serve communities across South Texas, Texas and the nation, while expanding its role in medical education, research and patient care. 

The new chapter also creates opportunities to recognize UTRGV students, residents, faculty and alumni who demonstrate the academic excellence, leadership, service and humanism that AΩA represents. 

BUILDING THE NEXT MEDICAL GENERATION

The successful chapter application was led by Dr. Carlos Ayala, clinical professor of Surgery. A community faculty member and double board-certified otolaryngologist and facial plastic surgeon, Ayala played a key role in securing the chapter's approval and will serve as the founding counselor.

“Alpha Omega Alpha recognizes individuals who exemplify the highest ideals of the medical profession,” Ayala said. “Establishing a chapter at UTRGV creates meaningful opportunities to honor students, residents, faculty and alumni whose achievements reflect excellence in leadership, scholarship, humanism and service.”

 

UTRGV — THE FUTURE OF TEXAS
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley is shaping The Future of Texas by delivering a high-quality, affordable university experience centered on student success, academic excellence, research, healthcare and community impact. With tuition among the lowest in Texas, UTRGV gives its 35,000 students the opportunities of a major university, including Division I athletics and a new football program, while delivering exceptional value for Texas families. The only university in Texas with schools of Medicine, Podiatric Medicine and Optometry, UTRGV serves South Texas across nine communities while driving innovation and developing the talent that will move Texas forward.