National Arab American Medical Association

The National Arab American Medical Association, commonly known as NAAMA, is a United States-based professional organization for Arab American physicians, medical students, medical scholars, retired medical personnel, and members of their families. It describes its mission through professional education, medical and humanitarian assistance, and the strengthening of ties among people of Arab descent working in medicine and related health fields. The organization is affiliated with the American Medical Association and has developed a network of chapters in the United States and Canada. NAAMA was incorporated in California in 1975 as the Arab American Medical Association. It was founded by Dr. Kamal Batniji as a nonprofit, nonpolitical, educational institution. Its early activities included international and national conventions intended to connect Arab American medical professionals and support professional exchange. The first international convention took place in Baghdad in 1978, followed by the first national convention in Las Vegas in 1979. In 1980, the organization adopted the name National Arab American Medical Association, reflecting its broader national structure. C. Fredrick Milkie, M.D., became its first elected president in 1983. The association expanded through the establishment of chapters across the United States and Canada. Its membership structure has included several categories for physicians, students, scholars, retired medical personnel, and eligible family members, with dues varying by category and chapter. A 2009 reference reported 2,274 members, although more recent membership figures are not established by the supplied sources. In 1990, NAAMA established the NAAMA Foundation as a separate charitable vehicle with its own board structure. The foundation supports international medical assistance projects, educational exchanges, scholarships, research grants, and emergency medical aid, particularly in areas affected by conflict. Its reported work has included assistance for Palestinians in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, and the Occupied Territories, as well as humanitarian projects in Iraq after the Iraq War. In the United States, the foundation has supported Arab American health education, disease-prevention activities, and community-based health and social-service initiatives, including support associated with a community health center in Dearborn, Michigan. Members have also contributed volunteer labor and financial assistance to disaster-relief efforts following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. NAAMA's principal role is therefore institutional rather than commercial. It provides a professional network, conventions and symposia, educational and scholarship-related opportunities, and a platform for medical philanthropy. The organization held its first international symposium in Damascus in 1997. Its work combines professional identity and continuing exchange among Arab American medical personnel with humanitarian engagement in the United States and the Arab world. Detailed current information on its leadership, membership, chapter activity, financial position, and present programs is not established in the supplied reference material.

The National Arab American Medical Association began in California in 1975 under the name Arab American Medical Association. Dr. Kamal Batniji, M.D., founded and incorporated the organization as a nonprofit, nonpolitical, educational institution intended to support people of Arab descent working in medicine and to strengthen professional and cultural connections among them. The association's early development included convening medical professionals across national boundaries. Its first international convention was held in Baghdad in 1978, and its first national convention followed in Las Vegas in 1979. In 1980, the organization changed its name to the National Arab American Medical Association, signaling the formation of a national entity rather than a primarily local association. C. Fredrick Milkie, M.D., became its first elected president in 1983. Over subsequent years, NAAMA established chapters in the United States and Canada. Membership has been open across several categories, including medical students, physicians, medical scholars, retired medical personnel, and eligible family members. The association has used chapter-based membership and dues structures, with fees differing according to category and local affiliation. A source describing the organization in November 2009 reported 2,274 members. The association broadened its educational and international profile through conferences and symposia. Its first international symposium was held in Damascus in 1997. Alongside professional networking and education, NAAMA developed a humanitarian dimension through the NAAMA Foundation, chartered in 1990. The foundation was designed as a separate organization with an independent board and was created to support international medical assistance, educational exchanges, scholarships, research grants, and emergency aid in conflict-affected areas. The foundation's reported international activities have focused especially on the Arab world. It has provided or sponsored assistance for Palestinians in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, and the Occupied Territories, and has supported humanitarian projects in Iraq following the Iraq War. Within the United States, it has supported health education and disease-prevention efforts directed toward Arab American communities in cooperation with community organizations. Its reported domestic support has included assistance connected with a community health center developed by the Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services in Dearborn, Michigan. NAAMA members have also contributed money and volunteer service to relief operations after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. NAAMA is affiliated with the American Medical Association. Its identity is centered on professional association, educational exchange, community health, and humanitarian service rather than the sale of commercial medical products. The supplied sources do not establish current officers, current membership totals, current headquarters, or a detailed account of recent operations.

• 1997

  First international symposium

  [1]National Arab American Medical Associationen.wikipedia.org

  NAAMA held its first international symposium in Damascus, Syria.

• 1990

  NAAMA Foundation chartered

  [1]National Arab American Medical Associationen.wikipedia.org

  The NAAMA Foundation was established as a separate foundation supporting medical assistance, education, scholarships, research, and emergency aid.

• 1983

  First elected president

  [1]National Arab American Medical Associationen.wikipedia.org

  C. Fredrick Milkie, M.D., became the organization's first elected president.

• 1980

  Adoption of the NAAMA name

  [1]National Arab American Medical Associationen.wikipedia.org

  The Arab American Medical Association changed its name to the National Arab American Medical Association as it became a national organization.

• 1979

  First national convention

  [1]National Arab American Medical Associationen.wikipedia.org

  The first national convention took place in Las Vegas, Nevada.

• 1978

  First international convention

  [1]National Arab American Medical Associationen.wikipedia.org

  The organization held its first international convention in Baghdad, Iraq.

• 1975

  Organization incorporated in California

  [1]National Arab American Medical Associationen.wikipedia.org

  The Arab American Medical Association was founded and incorporated in California by Kamal Batniji, M.D., as a nonprofit, nonpolitical educational institution.

A nonprofit, nonpolitical professional and educational association linking Arab American medical professionals with one another while supporting medical education, community health, and humanitarian assistance.

• Professional association membership · 1975

  NAAMA membership

  Membership connects Arab American physicians, medical students, medical scholars, retired medical personnel, and eligible family members through the association and its chapters. The organization has used multiple membership categories with dues determined by member type and chapter affiliation.

• Professional education and networking · 1978

  Conventions and international symposia

  NAAMA's meetings provide forums for professional contact, educational exchange, and discussion among Arab American and international medical professionals. Documented events include the first international convention in Baghdad, the first national convention in Las Vegas, and the first international symposium in Damascus.

• Humanitarian and educational support · 1990

  NAAMA Foundation programs

  The separately governed NAAMA Foundation supports international medical assistance, educational exchanges, scholarships, research grants, and emergency medical aid. Reported activities have included projects involving Palestinian communities and humanitarian assistance in Iraq, as well as health education and community initiatives in the United States.

• 1990

  Creation of a separate charitable foundationStrategy

  Background

  NAAMA sought an organizational vehicle for medical assistance, educational exchange, scholarships, research support, and emergency aid.

  Action taken

  It chartered the NAAMA Foundation with an independent board to operate separately from the association.

  Aftermath

  The foundation supported projects in the Arab world and domestic health and social-service initiatives in the United States.

  Source

• 1980

  Adoption of a national organizational identityStrategy

  Background

  The original Arab American Medical Association had developed beyond its initial identity as a California-incorporated association.

  Action taken

  The organization changed its name to the National Arab American Medical Association and operated as a national entity.

  Aftermath

  The association subsequently developed chapters in the United States and Canada.

  Source

1. 1National Arab American Medical Associationen.wikipedia.org
2. 2National Arab American Medical Association official websitenaama.com