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The NMA has released the results of the Direct to Consumers Survey in the March issue of the JNMA. The results will also be posted on the NMA website.

The NMA is involved in this year’s “Cover the Uninsured Week,” April 23-29th. This purpose of this initiative is to focus attention on covering America’s children and to demonstrate support for reauthorizing the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). To learn more about NMA’s involvement, see the spring issue of Healthy Living or contact Ivonne Fuller at 202-347-1895.

In July 2007 physicians can receive a bonus payment from Medicare of 1.5% of allowed charges when they report up to three applicable performance measures at least 80% of the time that each of the measures applies, according to the Tax Relief and Health Care Act of 2006. The NMA is interested in your thoughts on Quality of Care Patient Reporting, please email us at nmanews@nmanet.org.

Women play a significant role in keeping their families and loved ones healthy. NMA member Willarda V. Edwards, M.D., MBA, and co-author Andrea King Collier explore the role that black women have in improving the health of the men in their lives in the new book The Black Woman’s Guide to Black Men’s Health.

NMA Board member Wilma Wooten has been appointed the interim Public Health Officer for the County of San Diego. Dr. Wooten has served as the Deputy Public Health Officer and also serves as adjunct faculty, University of San Diego-San Diego State University General Preventive Medicine Department, and is a volunteer Associate Clinical Professor at UCSD.

NMA Member Highlights: Dr. Washington C. Hill, appointed chief of staff of the Sarasota Memorial Hospital’s medical staff in Sarasota, FL; Dr. Jeanette E. South-Paul received the 2007 AMA Foundation Excellence in Medicine Award; Dr. Wayne J. Riley named head of Meharry Medical College; Dr. Elizabeth Paterson, a radiologist, elected to governing board of the Intercultural Cancer Council; and Dr. Sheryl Heron awarded the 2006 Gender Justice Award by the Georgia Commission on Family Violence.

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Drs. Natalie Achong and Marilyn H. Gaston are featured in the April issue of Ebony magazine in an article entitled "Menopause 101, New School Strategies for Navigating the Change." Dr. Carolyn Britton was featured in the article "Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC)" in Jet magazine.

Drs. Carolyn Britton, Valentine Burroughs, and Daniel LaRoche were featured in articles in the Network Journal's Annual Best Black Doctors issue in the New York City area.

The Ralph Lauren Center for Cancer Care and Prevention, a community-based center for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer, is seeking a Chief Operating Officer and Medical Director.

At their upcoming meeting on March 24, 25 and 26, of National Medical Association members will get a sneak preview of Come Walk in My Shoes, a new civil rights documentary featuring the Honorable John Lewis (D-GA) that is scheduled for release in June 2007.

A new national epidemiologic study found that depression tends to be more severe and persistent in blacks than in whites.

The Museum for African Art is scheduled to open in 2009 in a new home on Fifth Avenue between 109th and 110th streets. Architect Robert A. M. Stern's design for the new building was unveiled at a ceremony at the Guggenheim Museum presided over by Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg.

The National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF) has been classified as one of the most fiscally sound non-profits in America by Charity Navigator, the largest charity evaluator in the nation.

NMA Healthy Living Managing Editor Hilary Beard is co-author with actors Angela Bassett (Akeelah and the Bee) and Courtney Vance (Law & Order: Criminal Intent) of Friends: A Love Story, the couple's parallel autobiography. Friends, which is currently 22nd on the New York Times best sellers list, chronicles both actors' rise from humble beginnings culminating in their marriage and the birth of their children via a surrogate mother.