Dear NAAMA Members and Friends,
It is an honor and a privilege to take on the role of president of Michigan’s Chapter of the National Arab American Medical Association in 2020. I would like to acknowledge the legacy of my predecessors, the members of NAAMA’s National and MI Board, who have provided education, advocacy, mentorship, and compassionate care to many, and I strive to carry on this legacy.
Michigan has one of the largest Arab American populations in the United States, and as such, we have an incredible platform to make our voices heard. Many assume that NAAMA is an organization solely for physicians. That is incorrect: our spirited community includes nurses, pharmacists, dentists, students, and other health care professionals. So please, encourage your medical assistant or nursing student to become a member of NAAMA.
In this age of digital health, the healthcare landscape is changing rapidly. With this, many new challenges arrive: burnout is rampant amongst health care professionals. Patients feel like they are talking to computers. NAAMA MI hopes to elevate the standard of healthcare among our providers by facilitating dialogues, educational programs, and provider wellness conferences. This organization has a wealth of talented professionals, and we are each other’s greatest teachers and biggest supporters.
One of the primary goals of NAAMA is to improve the health and medical care of our patients, especially for those in the most vulnerable populations, like those with language barriers, a lack of transportation, or low literacy. Many medical problems are more prevalent in the Arab American community, and as providers, we can lead the way in educating and promoting healthy lifestyles. One of the most significant problems in the past few years, is that of drug addiction and premature deaths. This is a problem that is not unique to our population, but the Arab American culture faces specific issues relating to the stigma and lack of education and conversation on the topic. I want us to not only take part in the conversation, but to lead it.
So with your help, let’s make 2020 a year of wellness, both physical and mental. Send us your ideas, suggestions, questions, comments. Get engaged…your voice matters.
Thank you,
Leila Hajjar, MD, MHSA, FACOG
President, NAAMA-MI