With more than 2,500 physicians in attendance, the National Medical Association (NMA) held its 115th annual convention in Philadelphia from July 29 – August 2. The NMA is the largest and oldest organization representing African American physicians and their patients in the United States. The NMA is committed to improving the quality of health among minorities and disadvantaged people through its membership, professional development, community health education, advocacy, research and partnerships with federal and private agencies.
The Temple Head & Neck Institute (THNI) was prominently featured at the convention with presentations at the NMA’s Otolaryngology Section. Drs. Oneida Arosarena and Nausheen Jamal each gave two presentations.
At the NMA, Temple demonstrated its commitment to the community by participating in a health fair. The fair included vision, glaucoma, hypertension and HIV screening and counseling. Drs. Ahmed Soliman, Karl Whitley and Arosarena of THNI provided head and neck cancer screenings to more than 60 people. In addition, THNI audiologists Drs. Paige Pastalove, Maria Pomponio and Amy Safran-Henderson, as well as audiology intern Leah Castrovince, provided hearing screenings.
At the health fair, in addition to the screenings, Temple University sponsored the ‘Walk a Mile with a Child’ event to promote good health and physical activity. The event was well-attended by NMA and community members. Dignitaries in attendance included NMA president Dr. Richard Allen Williams, former United States Surgeon General Dr. David Satcher, Pennsylvania State Senator Sharif Street and Philadelphia City Council President Darrell Clarke. The event began with a one-mile walk around the Health Science Campus.