BIRMINGHAM, Mich., Jan. 17, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The National Arab American Medical Association (NAAMA) will hold an informational meeting for Arab American physicians, dentists, pharmacists and other licensed healthcare professionals in Dayton on Friday, January 21, 2011, at Brio Tuscan Grille in Beavercreek, OH, beginning at 6:30 p.m. Featured speakers will be Dr. Mouhanad Hammami, 2011 NAAMA president, and Renée Ahee, APR, MSF, NAAMA executive director, along with hosts Dr. Ibrahim Ahmad and Salah (Sam) Zakkour.
Founded in 1975, NAAMA is a non-profit professional, educational and humanitarian organization for Arab American physicians, dentists, pharmacists and other licensed healthcare professionals. NAAMA's nearly 1,500 members across the United States in 27 chapters represent multiple medical specialties and Arab ethnicities. NAAMA currently has three Ohio chapters: Northwest Ohio (Toledo area), Central Ohio (Columbus area) and Ohio (Cleveland area).
Organizing the dinner are Dr. Ibrahim Ahmad, Dayton-based nephrologist, and Sam Zakkour, Otsuka America pharmaceutical representative.
Dr. Ahmad said, "NAAMA is a wonderful venue through which Arab American physicians can expand their professional networks with other Arab Americans across ethnicity and across specialty. Through its annual international and national conventions, NAAMA provides continuing medical education credits necessary for physicians to maintain their licenses. Finally, through the NAAMA Foundation, members have an outlet to help citizens of their country of origin as well as Arab American communities with critical medical supplies, equipment, services and education."
Mr. Zakkour said that, besides the camaraderie built between members all across the country, the benefit of joining NAAMA also accrues to their families. "The stories of the lifelong friendships that the children of NAAMA members have made are legend. For these reasons, we want all Dayton-Cincy Arab American doctors to learn about and benefit from membership in NAAMA. There is no other organization for Arab American licensed medical professionals like NAAMA and we hope to bring NAAMA to Dayton-Cincy Arab American physicians."
According to Arab American Institute demographic data, Montgomery County, where Dayton is the county seat, has the fifth largest Arab American population in the state of Ohio. The sizeable Arab American physician base serving the Dayton/Cincinnati area does not have an organization with the reach and influence of NAAMA representing them. Attendees will learn how NAAMA can be of value to their practices and their patients.
All Arab American MDs, DOs, dentists, pharmacists, medical researchers, medical school professors, chiropractors, nurses and others are welcome to attend. Brio Tuscan Grille is located at 4459 Cedar Park Drive, Beavercreek, OH 45440, 937-429-7792. Admission is free.
For more information about NAAMA, visit www.naama.com. For details on the Dayton/Cincinnati informational meeting, please call the NAAMA National Office, 248-646-3661.