Colloquium
Upcoming Events
National Colloquium on African American Health
The National Colloquium on African American Health is the NMA’s premier advocacy and educational forum for State and Local Society Presidents, National Officers, the Student National Medical Association, and Auxiliary to the National Medical Association, and other invited guests.
2013 Colloquium Tentative Agenda
2013 Colloquium Overview
From the Archives:
Colloquium 2013
The National Medical Association Fourteenth National Colloquium on African American Health took place from March 9-12, 2013 at the Marriot Metro Center in Washington, DC
2013 Colloquium Tentative Agenda
Colloquium 2011 The National Medical Association Twelfth National Colloquium on African American Health took place from March 12-15, 2011 at the West Grand Hotel in Washington, D.C.
Colloquium 2011 Agenda
Colloquium 2010
The National Medical Association Eleventh National Colloquium on African American Health took place from March 20-23, 2010 at the Westin Arlington Gateway in Arlington, VA.
2010 Colloquium Agenda
Colloquium 2009
The National Medical Association Tenth National Colloquium on African American Health
"The State of Black Health - What Have We Learned in the Last 10 Years?"
MARCH 21 - 24, 2009
Westin Arlington Gateway
Arlington, VA
View the 2007 Colloquium
The History of Colloquium
The National Medical Association (NMA) convened its inaugural National Colloquium on African American Health in October of 1999. Chaired by President Gary C. Dennis, the preeminent ambition of the first Colloquium was simply to equip this generation of health care advocates in their struggle to reduce or eliminate racial and ethnic disparities in health care.
The reason for selecting this mission was just as straightforward: African Americans were—and continue to be—disproportionately represented on virtually every health index.
The negative impact of HIV/AIDS, obesity, cardiovascular disease, as well as many other preventable and treatable conditions are well documented, with deleterious consequences for the quality of life of African Americans.
Whereas the picture has improved since 1999, the gains are marginal when compared to the general population. As such, Colloquium continues to be a leadership training and advocacy forum, structured to conduct focused exploration of critical health policy issues that impact African Americans. Colloquium also provides a platform for the development of NMA health policy positions to be advanced at the local, state, and federal levels.
The National Black Caucus of State Legislators (NBCSL) has been a key partner in the Colloquium effort. NBCSL has been a co-convener since the second Colloquium, chaired by then NMA President Dr. Rodney G. Hood of San Diego.
The major theme of that Colloquium was Racism in Medicine, and the activism inspired by that forum would eventually lead to Congressional action that provided for an Institute of Medicine (IOM) study. This study was completed in 2002, the final report of which (entitled Unequal Treatment) is now the most widely quoted study of its kind. As a direct result of Unequal Treatment, a National Health Disparities Report is now required by statute. Inviting the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) to summarize this valuable report card for Colloquium participants has now become a tradition.
The third Colloquium, chaired by Dr Lucille C. Perez, focused on increasing the collaboration between healthcare advocates. Specific agenda items were discussed with recommendations to pursue them at the State level. Colloquium 2002 also explored the role of faith in medicine, to the enlightenment of all participants.
The fourth Colloquium had an even more urgent focus: the medical malpractice crisis. L. Natalie Carroll, M.D., NMA President and practicing obstetrician and gynecologist, made her feelings clear about her desire for a deep discussion of the issue. Colloquium 2003 assembled national experts who expounded on policy implications and possible solutions to the problem.
Colloquium 2004 focused on The Economic Survival of the Black Physician. A recurrence of the previous year’s theme was unavoidable, and with it was a thoughtful, and sometimes vigorous, discussion of regulatory issues such as HIPAA compliance, and medical practice issues such as licensing and disciplinary action. Chaired by Randall W. Maxey, MD, PhD, participants were challenged to consider the dire reality that Black physicians were being forced to close their doors all across America because they could no longer pay the bills.
Colloquium 2005 focused on the impact technology could, and should, have on the practice of medicine in general, and the improvement of the health status of African Americans in particular. Chaired by then President Dr. Winston Price, invited guests included the federal government’s Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONCHIT).
Colloquium 2006 focused on Evidence Based Medicine (EBM) and Pay for Performance (P4P). The nation’s leading thought leaders on the subject addressed the audience about the current landscape, and clinicians did their best to integrate this growing challenge into their presentations. As a result of this Colloquium’s rousing success, the NMA Task Force on Pay for Performance was launched in the summer of 2006 under the leadership of Dr. Sandra Gadson who also chaired Colloquium 2006. And for the first time, a DVD of the proceedings was produced and later distributed to every participant. The DVD was also streamed on the NMA website, and is still available for viewing.
Under the leadership of then President Albert W. Morris, Jr., M.D., Colloquium 2007 focused on “The Quality Movement and Its Impact on Healthcare Disparities.” The roster of speakers at this conference included a ‘Who’s Who’ in American healthcare, and featured stimulating discussion about measuring and rewarding the delivery of quality healthcare. Part of the conversation was about the role of black hospitals in improving the health status of African Americans, in light of the new realities in health care financing.
Colloquium 2008, under the leadership of President Nelson L. Adams, III MD, focuses on practical solutions to the obesity crisis in the African American community, examining some of the social determinants of the problem including nutrition, exercise, and overall wellness and prevention. Panel discussions and town hall formats dominate the agenda. As with the last two Colloquia, this event will also be video-streamed onto the NMA website, and archived for a limited amount of time. Dr. Nelson Adams will continue to focus on the obesity and overweight challenge at the 2008 Annual Convention and Scientific Assembly in Atlanta.
