Delta Omega Honorary Society

The Delta Omega Honorary Society in Public Health was founded in 1924 at Johns Hopkins University within the School of Hygiene and Public Health (now known as the Bloomberg School of Public Health) by two graduate students, Dr. Edgar Erskine Hume and Dr. Claude W. Mitchell. The purpose of Delta Omega is to recognise academic merit and sincere commitment to public health work. For more information about Delta Omega, please visit the National Chapter’s website at www.deltaomega.org.

About our Zeta Alpha Chapter

The Master of Public Health (MPH) at The School of Public Health of The University of Hong Kong established the Zeta Alpha chapter of the Delta Omega Honorary Society in Public Health in 2025.

Member Benefits

Election to membership is intended to recognise merit and encourage further excellence in, and devotion to, public health work. Membership in Delta Omega reflects the dedication of an individual to quality in the field of public health and to protection and advancement of the health of all people. This website includes a national Delta Omega membership list.

Membership in Delta Omega provides valuable benefits which include networking opportunities at annual reception held for all members, leadership development, serving as a Delta Omega Mentor, and discounts on publications and APHA membership dues, please visit the member benefits at https://www.deltaomega.org/member-benefits/.

Eligibility Criteria and Nominations

Prospective member induction into the Delta Omega Society is a highly selective process. Each academic year, the Zeta Alpha Chapter of the Delta Omega at HKU elect member(s) from the following four groups. Election from all four groups is based on outstanding performance and scholarship in students, teaching, and research in faculty members, and community service in alumni. Applications are reviewed and elected by the Zeta Alpha Chapter Committee.

Students enrolled in the Master of Public Health (MPH) for the current academic year (by invitation)
- Eligible student must be in the upper 10% of their class academically (cGPA)
- Demonstrate leadership qualities and/or evidence of significant contributions to professional and/or community service activities in the field of public health while a student at HKU MPH
- Induction of no more than ten percent (10%) of the current graduating class

Invitation emails will be sent to MPH graduating students in the top 10% of their class. Eligible students must submit an application with the following documents:

One-page personal statement that addresses your qualifications and pursuit for induction in the Delta Omega Society
- Why you would like to become a member of the Delta Omega Society
- Evidence of leadership qualities and/or contributions to community while a student at HKU MPH
- Your plan to future commitment in the area of public health
- Current CV

Alumni^ of the Master of Public Health (MPH) actively engaged in the public health
- Graduates of MPH whose work is in the practice of public health that would serve as model for future graduates
- Induction of alumni member not to exceed half of student induction of the year

Invitation emails will be sent to alumni soliciting applications. Alumni application requires the following documents:

One-page personal statement that addresses your qualifications and pursuit for induction in the Delta Omega Society
- Why you would like to become a member of the Delta Omega Society
- Evidence of your accomplishments to professional and/or community service activities in the field of public health as a MPH HKU Alumnus
- Current CV

Faculty members at the School of Public Health
- Faculty members (including full-time, part-time and joint appointments) with outstanding public health performance in areas across teaching, research, community service and leadership within and outside of HKU SPH
- Dedicated public health researchers and practitioners who have and will continue to contribute to the future of public health research and practice
- Induction of faculty members elected in any year may not exceed three percent (3%) of full-time faculty

Applications for faculty members are accepted year-round. Faculty member applications requires the following documents:

Letter of recommendation/nomination from colleague and/or professional acquaintance
One-page personal statement that addresses your qualifications and pursuit for induction in the Delta Omega Society
- Summary of your accomplishments and commitment to public health
- Current CV

Honorary members with exceptional qualifications and have attained meritorious recognition in the area of public health
- Honorary members are elected
- Induction of honorary member is limited to one every year

Honorary membership is by invitation only, to be nominated by a majority vote from members of the Zeta Alpha Committee.

^Eligibility for Delta Omega Society is applicable to our HKU MPH Alumni with a graduation date after 13 March 2020, as stipulated as our initial accreditation date with CEPH.

Induction Fee

Induction Fee

There is a one-time induction fee of $50.00 USD for the membership into Delta Omega Society, which covers a lifetime membership for the inductee. The Zeta Alpha Chapter Committee will cover the cost for membership for inductees.

Application and Timeline

For student membership, invitations to apply for membership will be sent to eligible students of the graduating class by September. Applications will be accepted from eligible graduating students until the deadline as specified in the invitation.

Alumni and faculty applications to the Delta Omega Alpha Zeta Chapter are accepted on an ongoing basis. Please note that any nominations submitted after the end of October will be considered for next year's nominating cycle.

All applications for membership can be sent to Zeta Alpha Chapter Committee via email pdhub@hku.hk.

Announcement of Inductees and Induction Ceremony

The Zeta Alpha Chapter Committee will review applications and announcement of inductees will be announced in November, to be published on the SPH MPH webpage.The School of Public Health, HKU will host an induction ceremony to induct new members to its chapter of the Delta Omega Honorary Society in Public Health

Questions?

If you have further questions, please reach out to the Zeta Alpha Chapter Committee via email pdhub@hku.hk.

FAQ

1. For Student Membership, what are examples of “Demonstrate leadership qualities and/or evidence of significant contributions to professional and/or community service activities in the field of public health while a student at HKU MPH”?

We’re looking for future public health leaders! Student applicants should demonstrate outstanding leadership qualities through their active engagement and participation both in and beyond HKU campus.

Examples may include (but not limited to): community service and volunteering, student leadership positions in MPH SPH at HKU, attendance and participation in public health activities and events, lead or participate in public health initiatives, student event coordination activities, student poster presentations in public health conferences, fundraising efforts to support relevant public health activities, partnership with other student organisations or community partners, student and alumni engagement, out-of-classroom experiences with relevance in public health, initiating advocacy or policy change activities, academic and/or non-academic related recognitions and accomplishments.

Note: Direct activities as a requirement to fulfil the MPH Practicum (which is credit-bearing and a mandatory component for the degree) are generally not great examples. However, students who engage with their Practicum organisation beyond the Practicum requirements are certainly examples that can be included.