AED History and Mission
On April 28, 1926, fifteen premedical students at the University of Alabama met with Dr. Jack Montgomery, premedical advisor and professor of organic chemistry, to formalize the organization of a new premedical honor society. Baylor University, Samford University, the University of Texas, and the University of South Carolina established chapters in 1928/29. At the first national convention at the University of Alabama on April 18, 1930, ten members representing five chapters and one petitioning group were in attendance. From these modest beginnings, Alpha Epsilon Delta (AED) has today become the world’s largest Honor Society exclusively serving preprofessional health students, with a membership exceeding 150,000 in 188 chapters. The Society is incorporated in the District of Columbia as a non-profit, educational organization.

MISSION
Alpha Epsilon Delta is the National Health Preprofessional Honor Society dedicated to the encouragement and recognition of excellence in preprofessional health scholarship, including medicine, dentistry, veterinary, and others. The Society welcomes ALL students engaged in the pursuit of a professional healthcare career. AED offers opportunities for intellectual and professional development, provides a forum for students with common interests, and extends a program of service to benefit the college/university community.

Alpha Epsilon Delta is affiliated with the American Association for the Advancement of Science and is a member of the Association of College Honor Societies.