National Arab American Medical Association (NAAMA) to hold first international convention in Dubai

NAAMA invites regional practitioners to join the conference

15 November 2008 (Dubai, UAE): *The National Arab American Medical Association (NAAMA), a non profit, non political, educational and humanitarian organization, whose members are medical professionals of Arab descent, or have a close affinity with individuals of Arabic origin, will hold its first ever international convention in Dubai in December 2008, supported by local partners including Dubai Health Care City, Shaikh Khalifa Medical City, Tawam Hospital, Dubai Health Authority and the American Hospital Dubai. NAAMA has several thousand members in the US and the Arab World including Dubai - many of whom work at the American Hospital Dubai.

"Our conventions showcase the academic achievements of NAAMA members and provide a unique platform for Arab and Arab-American medical scholars.

This first convention in Dubai is being held in direct response to the wishes of our members who collectively voted to hold this year's event in one of the most exciting and interesting places in the world for Arab American medical professionals," says Mouhanad Hammami, MD, Executive Director of NAAMA. "Our members will be looking to forge relationships here and possibly even form a local chapter of the association in future."

NAAMA will bring a group of around 100 members, plus families, for the convention which will be held at The Palace at the Old Town, Dubai, December 28-31. The Medical Symposium will cover a broad range of topics and has been designed to interest physicians, dentists, pharmacists, nurses and healthcare administrators. Running alongside the medical programme is an active social programme which will allow members to experience local culture more broadly. All medical professionals (qualified to practice in North America) in the region are eligible to attend and NAAMA is fully accredited by the American Council for Continuing Medical Education.

"All our members are active, US licensed medical professionals residing in the US or elsewhere and our diverse membership includes doctors, dentists and other medical professionals," adds Hassan Fehmi, MD, Vice President of NAAMA and the Dubai Symposium Chair. "Many of our members are second or third generation Arab Americans and there is real interest in the developments taking place in the Middle East and many are looking for an opportunity to return to the region and to be closer to their original cultural roots."

In 2007, NAAMA held its annual international convention in Aleppo, Syria, in partnership with the city's university. The association has not held an event in the Gulf region since 1985: "This meeting is really long overdue as Dubai is a perfect location for the convention and a very dynamic healthcare hub for the region; the vision of Dubai and the work of Dubai Health Care City in realizing that vision is truly extraordinary," concludes Dr. Hammami.

NAAMA was established in 1975 and currently has 29 chapters across North America.

www.naama.com

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About NAAMA
Mission Statement
The National Arab American Medical Association (NAAMA) is a nonprofit, nonpolitical, educational and humanitarian organization. Its members are medical professionals of Arab descent, or have a close affinity with individuals of Arabic origin, or demonstrate a commitment to the mission and organizational objectives of NAAMA.

The objectives of NAAMA encompass a wide range of professional, educational, charitable, humanitarian and cultural activities.

Professional and Educational

• To enhance the medical knowledge of the members of NAAMA, to contribute to the medical profession, and to support continuing medical education and research.

• To promote professional relationships among members and organizations of the medical profession in North America and the Arab world.

• To create friendly relationships among health-field professionals who share a common background and who wish to perpetuate pride of heritage.

• To print an official membership directory which can serve as a source of references and information.

Charitable and Humanitarian

• To support professional and educational activities aimed at health education and disease prevention in cooperation with community-based organizations and to support general humanitarian activities.

• To provide and to help coordinate routine and emergency medical care in support of those in need in the Arab world.

• To provide assistance where possible and to serve as an educational resource for medical students and health field-related post-graduate trainees of Arabic descent.

• To sponsor speakers, grants, textbooks and other learning materials for medical schools in the Arab world.

Cultural Enhancement for Members and their Families • To create activities and programs for NAAMA's youth which highlight their shared Arabic heritage, and to foster community spirit.

• To encourage and promote role models among the health care profession who can help inspire and guide the direction of NAAMA's youth.

• To recognize Arab artistic efforts and endeavors.

Issued on behalf of the American Hospital Dubai by WPR.

Media contacts:
Jonathan Walsh/Beibars Abdi
WPR Limited
Dubai, UAE
Tel: +971 50 458610
Email: jon@wprme.com