BIRMINGHAM, Mich., Feb. 23, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The National Arab American Medical Association (NAAMA) announced today that it will hold its first international medical convention in a non-Arab country. NAAMA's 26th International Medical Convention will be held at the Grand Hyatt Istanbul, July 7 – 12, 2012, in partnership with the three largest medical schools in Turkey: Istanbul University, Koҫ University, and Istanbul Medeniyet University. The convention theme is "Frontiers in Prevention across Medical Specialties."
NAAMA will provide a week-long series of scientific presentations focused on preventing disease and medical complications. Abstracts are being accepted through March 7, 2012, for original work, analysis or programs describing disease prevention methodologies in various specialties, including internal medicine, surgery, pediatrics, family medicine, obstetrics/gynecology, mental health, public health, nursing, pharmacy, dentistry and allied sciences.
A unique addition to this year's convention is a special scientific session devoted to medical residents and fellows. From their submitted abstracts, those who are invited to present will receive free convention registration and the opportunity for first, second and third-place awards and leadership roles in NAAMA.
Physicians, dentists, pharmacists and other licensed healthcare professionals can submit 250-word abstracts for original work or research and presentation summaries online by 3/7/12 to http://www.naama.com/naama-istanbul-convention-2012-submit-abstract.php.
Continuing Medical Education credits (CMEs) will be granted for the scientific sessions.
Dr. Aziz Shaibani, NAAMA president and convention chair, said, "Our convention is being held at a critical time in history when the winds of change are ushering in a new order in the region.
"Healthcare costs are escalating and the number of uninsured is steadily growing. This global problem is leading to a bankruptcy of the healthcare delivery system. Prevention of disease and medical complications is the solution to this dismal fate. Dr. Nicola Hanania and the scientific committee from the U.S, Turkey and the Arab world believe that it is critical for physicians, dentists and other medical professionals to understand and employ practices that focus on preventing disease or complications rather than just treating them."
Expected to attract some 400 attendees from the United States, the Middle East and Turkey, the convention is open to NAAMA members and non-members, physicians as well as other healthcare professionals. In addition, an extensive social program will explore the excitement of Istanbul and Turkey in their historic role in connecting east and west.
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.
For more information or to register for NAAMA's 26th International Medical Convention in Istanbul, call 248-646-3661 or visit www.naama.com.