Join a community of over 50,000 dedicated African American physicians and professionals committed to making a positive impact on healthcare. Discover the benefits of NMA membership, access professional development opportunities, and become a part of a network dedicated to advancing health equity.
Mission, Governance, and History
Board of Trustees & Officers
Board of Trustees & Officers
Mission
The National Medical Association (NMA) is the collective voice of African American physicians and the leading force for parity and justice in medicine and the elimination of disparities in health.
History
Board of Trustees & Officers
House of Delegates
Resources
The National Medical Association (NMA) is the largest and oldest national organization representing African American physicians and their patients in the United States. The NMA is a 501(c) (3) national professional and scientific organization representing the interests of more than 50,000 African American physicians and the patients they serve. NMA is committed to improving the quality of health among minorities and disadvantaged people through its membership, professional development, community health education, advocacy, research and partnerships with federal and private agencies. Throughout its history the National Medical Association has focused primarily on health issues related to African Americans and medically underserved populations; however, its principles, goals, initiatives and philosophy encompass all ethnic groups.
THE NATIONAL MEDICAL ASSOCIATION
Explore Our Commitment
Embark on a journey through the multifaceted world of the National Medical Association (NMA), where our commitment to excellence and equity in healthcare is showcased across various pillars of impact.
NMA Recognition
The National Medical Association honors outstanding members and other professionals who have made major contributions in medicine and toward the work of the NMA itself.
Professional Education
The NMA is dedicated to keeping its members abreast of the many rapidly occurring advances across the various medical specialties and the changes affecting medical practice. The NMA is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to sponsor continuing medical education for physicians. The NMA provides continuing medical education for physicians at the nation, state, and regional levels. The NMA Annual Convention and Scientific Assembly has been recognized as one of the best national forums on African American health and medicine.
Science & Scholarly Exchange
The NMA strives to advance scientific and clinical knowledge to promote new directions in medicine. The Journal of the National Medical Association is the vehicle in which the Association uses to get such information into the public arena. It has been published since 1909.
Public Health
The NMA is steadfast in its commitment to the elimination of health disparities and the promotion of healthy lifestyles among African Americans and other underserved populations. The NMA conducts national consumer education programs on cancer, cardiovascular disease and stroke, HIV/AIDS, women’s health, asthma, smoking cessation, immunization, traffic safety, breastfeeding, clinical trails, as well as other issues that impact the lives of African Americans.
Health Policy
As the nation’s only organization devoted to the needs of African American physicians, health professionals and their patients, the NMA serves as the conscience of the medical profession in the ongoing fight to eliminate health disparities in the nation’s health care delivery system. The NMA has historically been an unwavering advocate for health policies that improve the quality and availability of health care of African Americans and other underserved populations. For instance, the National Medical Association was the force behind such landmark reforms as Medicare and Medicaid. Today, the NMA continues to provide leadership in shaping the national health policy agenda through continued involvement in a variety of critical policy matters.
Medical Education
The NMA is committed to increasing the number of African Americans and other underrepresented groups participating in the medical field. Annually, the NMA provides thousands of dollars in scholarships to deserving medical students based on academic merit and financial need. These scholarships are supported by the generous contributions of NMA members, corporations, private philanthropic organizations, and proceeds from scholarship benefit efforts.
