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, Sanford 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 has today become the world's largest Honor Society exclusively serving premedical education, with a membership exceeding 140,000 in 185 chapters.

The mission of the Society is to encourage and recognize excellence in premedical scholarship; to stimulate an appreciation of the importance of premedical education; to promote communication between medical and premedical students and educators; to provide a forum for students with common interests; and to use its resources to benefit health organizations, charities and the community.