National Medical Association, (NMA)

Convention, @ Javit Centre, NY

July 24 th 2005,Thru July 28 th 2005

The National Medical Association, (NMA) convened its 103 rd Annual Convention and Scientific Assembly Saturday in New York City Featuring an opening Ceremony Honoring Muhammad Ali,World humanitarian and famed boxer;three Newark –born physicians who as youth vowed to become doctors;and a Haitian physician credited with saving thousands from HIV.

Featured speakers during the week long convention, included Dr Elias A.Zerhouni,director of

The National Institute of Health (NIH);Dr .Julie Gerberding,director of the centers for Disease

Control and prevention (CDC); Mark McCellan ,administrator of the centers for Medicaid and Medicare services; human rights activist Reverend Jesse Jackson, and author and health advocate Dr.Maya Angelou.Convention activities where held @ the Jacob Javit Convention Centre, Sheraton Hotel & The Hilton.

Over 6,000 physicians from the country representing more than 24 medical specialties, said NMA President Winston Price MD .The convention offered more than dozen of scientific presentations, seminars and research updates focusing on topics such as electronic medical records, geocoding ,obesity, neonatology ,aerospace and military medicine, heart disease in women, and the impact of technology on the health care delivery system.

During the conventions opening night ceremony at the New York Sheraton,the NMA awarded its Scrollof merit to Drs. Sampson Davis, Rameck Hunt and George Jenkins, commonly referred as “The Three Doctors”.The doctors ,who were honored for their exemplary community service,overcame the challenge of growing up in a tough, drug –ridden Newark neighborhood,and they kept a high school “pact” to support each other and become physicians.

In Addition,Famed Boxer Muhammad Ali,was honored for his Humanitarian service, he was not able to attend,but his daughter picked up his award in his honor.Dr Jean W.Pape,founder and director of Haiti’s GHESKIO Clinic,one of the oldest HIV/AIDS research institutes in the world,were also awarded the scrollof merit.

Noted author and health advocate Maya Angelou,delivered a wonderful speech @ the Luncheon Sponsored By the Council of concerns of women Physicians, (annual Muriel Petioni,M.D. Awards Luncheon, I had the pleasure of attending this event,she spoke & congratulated all the female doctors of color & what a great job they are doing ,she also mentioned her nieces & nephews who are also in the field of medicine in attendance @ the Luncheon that her speech was a salute to them also. Reverend Jesse Jackson ,Civil and human rights advocate spoke to the house delegates of the (NMA) on Sunday july 24 th 05 @ the Hall D, at the javits convention centre.

On Tuesday July 26 th 2005,@ the Hilton Hotel,the presidents ball took place,every year after the one term (NMA) Presidency before you step down the NMA has a ball in your honor,Winston Price M.D. the president,was honored for all the work he has done for the NMA, throughout the year he has been a president,a lot of different doctors spoke & said good things about Dr Price,he was also presented numerous wards from different organizations,& a proclamation from the Council woman Yvette Clarke,after that Dr Price & his wife danced to their favorite music,which the live band played ,as we ate our dinner we saw men on stilts ,almost 20ft tall dancing to music & doing acrobats,& after that the organization something positive did a great carnival type dance with beautiful costumes lighting up the place,it was a great way to say good by to a great president,I was very impressed with the presidents ball it was very unique & festive & I am sure Dr Winston Price MD, will not forget that for a long time.

On Wednesday July 27 th 05, Sandra L Gadson MD, 106 th Pesident , of the NMA was sworn in,

Dr Gadson ‘s medical career covers years of service helping to eliminate ealth disparities in the areas of kidney disease,both in treatment and prevention by providing access to care.Dr Gadson is a nephrologists who founded the first freestanding dialysis centre in northern Indiana.She was the first provider of dialysis services in the city of Gary,Indiana.

Dr Gadson went onto say she will continue a lot of the work,Dr Winston Price MD, the president before her,had done, and we will work the Media & Churches to get the information out to more people & to recruit more members & doctors for the NMA.She went on to thank her family members,pastors & fellow doctors who attended her swearing in ceremony .

Other activities which took place @ the NMA convention and scientific Assembly featured a workshop on bilingual education as well as ongoing presentations on a variety of medical specialties, including : Opthalmology, dermatology,pediatrics,neurosurgery,urology psychiatry,cardiology,obstetrics and gynecology,family practice,internal medicine,radiology,anesthesiology,and many more.

This was a wonderful convention & seeing so many different doctors in their respected fields, and hearing some great speakers,Like Maya Angelou,Reverend Jesse Jackson & many more,we at Liberty News Online Magazine like to thank Mr Reese Stone The Publicist for the NMA organization,who was very helpful of setting up interviews & making it possible to attend the events we needed to attend ,without his help this article would not of been possible,Mr Stone is a seasoned professional & did a great job with the media,many more media people who attended the NMA conference told us the same thing.

Founded in 1895,the NMA is the nations oldest and largest medical association representing the interests of more than 30,000 African-American physicians and their patients.The NMA has repeatedly advocated for policies that would assure equitable and quality health care for all people. For more information about the National Medical Association,(NMA) visit their website @ http://www.nmanet.org

Abbey H. Muneer is the Executive Director of H.A.D. Organization of New York City, Inc., a world-famous athlete, author and, above all, a humanitarian. Abbey will write articles about charity events, benefits, fundraisers and galas which are raising money for humantiarian causes. If you are interested in having Abbey and one his staff members cover one of your charity events, benefits, fundraisers or galas, feel free to notify us one week in advance, at LNEvents@hadofnyc.org, or telephone us at (718) 507-7616, between the hours of 8:00am and 8:00pm e.s.t. and ask to speak to Abbey or Maria. If you would like more information, or would like to have Liberty News Online Magazine consult your next charitable event, please feel free to visit our website, at http://www.hadofnyc.org/store/success.html, email us at humanitarians@hadofnyc.org, or telephone our hotline, at (718) 507-7616, between the hours of 8:00am and 8:00pm e.s.t. (U.S.A.)