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June 2010

A Message From the NMA President

A lot has happened since we last communicated via this page. In the interim, I hope you have and will continue to follow significant activities occurring on Capitol Hill via NMA’s weekly online news digest, Policy Beat. This news service, produced by our Health Policy staff, also serves as a “Call to Action” for our members highlighting activities of significance on Capitol Hill that may influence members’ medical practices and the future of medicine for those who follow us in this noble and rewarding profession.

Among the highlights of the past few months:
• March 21 At the invitation of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, NMA was present as the House of Representatives passed the historic Senate Bill and the amendments to the Senate Bill on Health Care Reform.
• March 21 The NMA House of Delegates concurred with the Board of Trustees’ selection of Kweisi Mfume for the Executive leadership position of the NMA.
• March 23 NMA was present as President Obama signed into law the Health Care Reform legislation.
• April 22 The National office moved into its new headquarters at 8403 Colesville Road, Suite 920, in Silver Spring, MD.
• April 23-24 The NMA Board of Trustees held its quarterly meeting in Washington, DC
• May 13-20 Your NMA President participated as one of three private sector advisors (along with the American Medical Association and American Nurses
Association) in the U.S. Delegation at the World Health Organization Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland. Leading the delegation were HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and Surgeon General Regina Benjamin, and the delegation included the leadership of the FDA and HRSA.
• May 21 - 23 NMA convened a Consensus Panel on Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) pneumonia as it relates to health disparities and infant mortality.
• May 24 NMA hosted a minority stakeholders meeting with HRSA Administrator Dr. Mary Wakefield and representatives from 20 non-profit organizations at the National Office.

The remaining months of my term will be equally as busy with visits to various health care agencies and supporters of our upcoming convention, conference calls, meetings, and preparing to serve as a panelist on July 10 at the NAACP Annual Convention in Kansas City, Missouri.

Speaking of conventions, please plan to join NMA at our Annual Convention and Scientific Assembly in Orlando, Florida, July 31 - August 4, 2010 at the Gaylord Palms Hotel and Con-vention Center.  The President’s Scrolls of Merit will go to First Lady Michelle Obama and Surgeon General Regina Benjamin. Dr. Benjamin has been invited to give the keynote address at the Annual Mazique Symposium, which, this year, is being combined with our Opening and Awards Ceremony on July 31 from 2:00 – 4:00 pm.  The Opening Ceremony is an event you won’t want to miss as we honor these two great women for the important work they are doing to help Americans – young and old—lead healthier lives. 
Make your reservations now. I’ll see you in Orlando! 

Sincerely,

Willarda V. Edwards, MD, MBA