The National Medical Association Holds Annual Convention, Scientific Assembly in New York

News Advisory:

WHO: The National Medical Association (NMA), the nation’s oldest and largest organization representing the interest of more than 30,000 physicians of African descent will hold its annual Convention and Scientific Assembly in New York at the Jacob Javits Convention Center, Saturday, July 23 through Thursday, July 28. This is the NMA’s 103rd convention. Dr. Winston Price, president of the NMA is the principal spokesperson.

Featured speakers at the NMA convention include: Dr. Julie Gerberding, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC); Mr. Mark McClellan, administrator, Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services; Dr. Maya Angelou, author and health advocate; and Rev. Jesse Jackson, civil rights activist.

WHAT:

CONVENTION HIGHLIGHTS

Saturday, July 23

The Opening and Awards Ceremony will be held on Saturday (July 23) evening at 7:30 p.m. at the New York Sheraton Hotel. During the ceremony, three physicians from Newark, N.J. will receive the NMA Scroll of Merit for their exemplary work in medicine and community service. Drs. Rameck Hunt, George Jenkins, and Sampson Davis, known as “the three doctors,” grew up in a tough Newark neighborhood yet vowed during high school to become physicians and give back to the community. Their compelling story is the subject of the best-selling book, The Pact, and is the focus of an upcoming HBO documentary titled “Men in White.” Other distinguished physicians will also be honored for their work in science and medicine, including Jean W. Pape, director of the Gheskio Clinic in Port-Au-Prince, Haiti and Professor of Medicine at the Weill Cornell Medical Center in New York City. Dr. Pape is credited with playing an instrumental role in preventing HIV/AIDS from afflicting thousands in Haiti. Muhammad Ali, humanitarian and famed boxer and others distinguished honorees will also receive scroll of Merit awards.

Sunday, July 24

The theme of the Plenary Session is “The Physician’s Role in the Care of Victims of Violence.” Violence of the mind, abuse of the elderly, violence against children, terrorism, and mass violence are among the presentations scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. in Hall D of the Convention Center.

Dr. Maya Angelou, noted author and health advocate is the featured speaker at the Council of Concerned Women’s luncheon at 12:30 p.m. The Reverend Jesse Jackson, noted civil and human rights advocate, will address the NMA’s House of Delegates at 2:30 p.m. in Hall D at the Convention Center.

Monday, July 25

Evolving Concepts on Hypertension and Reducing Cardiovascular and Renal Risk will be lead by Dr. Elijah Saunders, Professor of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine at 8 a.m. in Room 1E08.

Dr. Elias Zerhouni, director of the National Institutes of Health, will be the featured luncheon speaker. He is expected to address solutions to health care disparities in research, among other topics. Lunch will begin at 12:30 p.m. in Room 1E10.

Tuesday, July 26

The results of a new study regarding racial differences in cancer will be announced at a 10:30 a.m. press conference in the Terrace at the Convention Center.

Wednesday, July 27

Dr. Julie Gerberding, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Mr. Mark McClellan, administrator, Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services will address the NMA House of Delegates at 2:30 p.m.

In addition to the activities noted above, the NMA Convention and Scientific Assembly will feature presentations, workshops and symposia in a variety of medical specialties. The following is a partial list:

-- Aerospace and Military Medicine: Cutaneous Manifestation of Radiation Exposure; Emergency Preparedness; Disaster Medical Response Planning

-- Ophthalmology: Parallels in the Management of Clinical Glaucoma; Effects of Aging on the Eyelids; Advances in Macula Degeneration

-- Dermatology: Allergenic Skin Disorders: Concerns and Therapeutic Consideration in Ethnic Skin

-- Pediatrics: Advance Life Support; Pediatric Hyperlipidemiastory: Evaluation and Treatment

-- Neonatology: Forensic Child Sexual Abuse; Childhood Obesity and African Americans

-- Urology: STD Infections affecting Women Entering Prison in Georgia; Erectile Dysfunction and Cardiovascular Disease, Controversies in the Treatment of Testicular Cancer

-- Psychiatry and the Behavior Science: Mood Disorders: New Directions, New Treatments, HIV and Psychiatry; Clinical Depression Treatment and Schizophrenia

-- Neurology and Neurosurgery: Sleep Apnea; Myasthenia Gravis; Morbidity of Migraine Headache

-- Obstetrics and Gynecology: Pelvic Support Restoration; Female Genital Mutilation; Medical Legal issues and Litigation

-- Women’s Health: Uterine Fibroids, Alternative to Hysterectomy; Heart Disease and Strokes in Women

Other scientific sessions will be held in Emergency Medicine, Cardiology, Endocrinology, Radiology, Family Practice, Surgery, Otolaryngology, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Anesthesiology, Community Medicine, Pathology, Plastic Surgery, Allergy, and others.

WHEN: All scientific sessions will take place concurrently, beginning on Saturday, July 23 and continuing through Thursday, July 28.

WHERE: Scheduled activities will be held at the Jacob Javits Convention Center, unless otherwise noted.

Contact Information

Reese Stone

Media

National Medical Association

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